It's natural to compare the most sporting model in RenaultSport's new Megane hot-hatch line-up, the 250 Cup Trophee, to the star performer in the previous range, the R26. Do so and you'll probably conclude the new car is a little softer, a lot easier to drive and not nearly as intense as the track-focused R26. That's something I've read a lot lately and I've written stuff along the same lines myself.
It's natural to compare the two, but I reckon it's also wrong because the R26 was a highly evolved version of the previous Megane RS 250. And that's the car to which we should really be comparing the new RS. You'll conclude the new car is even more civilised than its predecessor, yet even more thrilling to drive on the right road.
The Trophee might be a more sporting effort than the regular Megane RS 250 Cup featured in Driven back in May, but the changes do not run as deep as the name might suggest. Mechanically, the two models are identical - the 184kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine and suspension are unchanged. But for an extra $7000, the $58,990 Trophee does bring fantastic Recaro front seats, larger alloy wheels with lower-profile tyres, an up-rated audio system and some rather questionable yellow seatbelts.
You'd be mad not to - the name "Trophee" is worth the extra money alone - because the RS 250 Cup is an awesome hot-hatch and anything that increases the driving pleasure qualifies as a must-have. Even if it's only a bit of extra seat support or a little more mid-corner grip from more aggressive rubber.
The turbocharged engine might sound a bit flat but it's incredibly robust between 4000-6000rpm. The steering lacks weight but is millimetre-precise. The chassis has bags of grip but also goes with the flow when bad mid-corner undulations suddenly appear. God, it's good.
