Road Test: Renault Megane GT Turbo

Renault Megane GT Turbo tested 2015

If you judge a car’s speed by the number of exhausts it has (admit it, we’re all a culprit of doing so) the Megane GT’s single pipe that furls under the bumper is going to send a very confused message for a car that still manages a GTi-rivalling 162kW and 340Nm.

Positioned to slot between the Megane 1.2 Turbo GT-line and the Megane RS, both on price and performance, the Megane GT Turbo forgoes the firmer suspension, narrower seats and limited slip differential of the flagship for a slightly more composed and rational ticket into the hot hatch genre. But I can’t emphasis this enough, the Megane GT is no neutered hatch; the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo has the pedigree of a detuned version of the RS’s 195kW engine but is still very much a match for the senior hot hatches. Renault claim 7.6 seconds to 100km/h.

That’s conservative. We managed a near full second faster. Available only as a manual six-speed, driver involvement is never in question; rapid changes through the six gates occurs with a pleasing heaviness from both pedal and lever before dropping you back into a torrent of boost that has the traction light going bonkers.

Ride firmness is spot on as many viewed the Megane RS as too harsh, especially for South African roads. If there’s one reason to favour the Megane GT over the RS, it could boil down to the more compliant ride. The softer springs barely seem affected when the turbo spools to peak and the GT behaves under slight torque steer while absorbing bumps or surfing odd camber changes. A skilled driver in a Renault Megane GT will still be very much in the hunt come the end of a mountain pass.

Hard to believe this is detuned… surge, whistle, woosh all the while sipping less petrol. Noises that can be savoured and explored beyond a GTi’s synthesised and predictable resonance. Driving position is better too because the whole seat assembly is closer to the chassis and more snug, but Renault’s new joystick control (similar to the old Mini’s) to navigate functions on the touchscreen still struggles to whizz around menu corners without some practice. However with most of the controls behind the steering wheel there aren’t too many times when you have to reach for the main cluster. Specification is good and includes TomTom navigation. Another tick in its column over the Megane RS is the choice to have the GT in either coupe or five door.

Taking a softer approach in contrast to the contoured sills, large single pipe, pronounced roof spoiler and more aggressive alloys fitted to the RS, the Megane GT makes do with darkened 18-inch rims, new front bumper design and visual depth aided by contrasting silver and black plastics. Less of a perfect colour combo is the light leather interior – we’d have even preferred a simple dark cloth.

A far easier car to live with for someone who has progressed from say a Clio RS and yet doesn’t want the overt styling and aggressiveness typified by the Megane RS. For those looking to get the most kilowatts, equipment and best handling for the money there’s nothing that can touch the Megane GT and although the styling is a little too reserved for us, this car is the best Megane to ever go on sale. Not far behind it is the Megane 1.2-litre GT-line.

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