Renault drops new hot hatch bomb

A five-door version of Renault's sizzling Megane RS is joining the local line-up and pricing is competitive. Its main target is the very popular Golf GTI.

Whereas the GTI has a power output of 147 kW, the power unit of the RS thrusts out 165 kW at 5 500 r/min and torque is a whopping 300 Nm at 3 000 r/min.

Transmission for the RS is via a six-speed manual gearbox.

According to Renault top speed for the RS is 236 km/h and it jets from 0-100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds.

In comparison the GTI (manual) goes from 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds while it runs out of breath at 235 km/h.

Like the other Megane model the RS also features revised styling. Naturally the RS has a racy look and features macho-looking 17-inch wheels, a sporty front and rear bumper and dual exhaust pipes.

The price for the new 5-door RS is R250 000.