Performance Review: Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault Megane Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo.This particular Renault Megane has a 1798cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Megane shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Megane's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1430 kgs (3152 lbs) this makes the Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault Megane shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1798cc 16V St4 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 288 lb-ft (390.4 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault Megane you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (217.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault Megane.

The Renault Megane has a Power to weight ratio of 193.0 bhp per ton and 201.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 Megane competing with the 1998 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (217.8 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Bentley Continental GT V8 (217.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Renault Megane generating around 201.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (226.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (226.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs). This Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Megane and the 1999 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R

When talking about the performance of the Renault Megane on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.88 secs @ 98.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R (13.82 secs), the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG SC (13.82 secs), and the 2006 Volvo S80 4.4 V8 AWD (13.83 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 has a maximum speed of 158mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 Megane equals the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 then how about the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph), the 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (169 mph), or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph).

Related Links:

2017 Megane Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison