Renault Sport Mégane GT: driving test and video

Posted on 15-02-2016 to 16:00 by CasperH – 75 Comments”

The new Mégane rolls in the Dutch showrooms. We went with the thickest variant that is currently available to order.

[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]

It was perhaps the leaselieveling of the Netherlands: the Renault Mégane Estate dCi. Long time, available with 14% tax and still cheaper for the business rider. There should now 21% tax liability is settled. Not because the new Mégane dirtier, but because the rules are tightened. And that is somewhere a good news for the car enthusiast, because the incentive to make boring cars to buy smaller, the greater the chance that the streetscape is enriched with interesting cars. And so we could the dCi 110 fine in the garage at Renault Nederland leave. Not only because this is a lot more boring, but also because they themselves still sell. Because count on that even for that 4% difference in the bijtellingspercentage a lot of covetous Hollanders for that car.

But we can’t. The Mégane GT is much better. The GT is equipped with a 205 hp 1.6 turbo, linked to an EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission. This is good for a sprint from zero to 100 in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 230 kilometers per hour. We arrive shortly back on these numbers, because first, I would like the look of this car deal.

Some blame Renault that they are “German”. And in the design you would arguments, can be found. The silhouette is especially very exciting. Almost boring, even. The front is also equipped with a kind of upside-down Golf GTE-look with LED daytime running lights. But still, I think the Mégane GT a successful picture. Clean lines, yet unique, especially in the front view and back view. If you, by the way, ask yourself: is the GT really is just a five-door hatchback. But if GT, there are (in addition to subcutaneous changes) sporty, contoured bumpers mounted.

Also, there is a richly equipped interior, with nice sportkuipen and leather trim. But to this German call no. That’s going too far. The interior has a nice atmosphere, the only downside is the huge touchscreen. I can’t get used to touchscreens in cars, do to me but just buttons. That is easier to operate and looks to me more beautiful too. Perhaps you have a different opinion on the matter. What you all agree with me will be is that the menu is not always clear. Also, the collaboration between my phone and the R-Link 2 system is not flawless, with regular pop-up notifications as a result. In addition, the Bose sound system not very pleasant. A last kritiekpuntje terms of ergonomics: the use of the activation of the cruise control in the centre console to hide it escapes me completely. Especially since the controls on the steering wheel still has an unused button that could serve. What Do You Mean German? French!

But it is not only doom and gloom in the Mégane GT. Certainly not even, because the seats sit very comfortable, the steering wheel is comfortable in the hand and the atmosphere in the interior is perfectly in order. To wish you can moreover adjust in five colors, adjustable LED lighting and the different modes for the klokkenhuis, can be operated via the menu-option MultiSense. Useless factoid of the day: you can use the LED lighting at the rear of the car off. So that your children can quietly to sleep, or something.

In terms of technology, the Mégane GT a separate device. The main feature of the co-steering rear wheels, called 4Control. Unique in the C-segment, and moreover, it is expensive technology. But the effect: the radius of the Mégane GT is almost a metre shorter than that of the regular five-door, which further has the same dimensions: to 10.4 instead of 11.2 metres, to be exact.

But not only when turning in small spaces, the co-steering rear wheels. Also the handling is significantly impacted. It is something you mainly notice when you smooth direction changes. Perhaps the best example of this is when you quickly come to a roundabout heading. Of fully screwed in to the left (both front and back) switches the control to be fully screwed in to the right. Here you can feel that the ass faster bijdraait than in a car with a fixed setup for the rear wheels. It is a bit like the feeling of a car whose rear end breaks out, with the important difference that you don’t need to send. The first time I was shocked a little bit of the feeling, then, was the the trick to to generate. Never grow up, they say.

Also with the rest of the handling is good. To begin with, there is electro-hydraulic power steering, instead of the in the rest of the Mégane range default variable electric system. The helm is excellent, thanks to the frame. The department Renault Sport interfered intensively with the development, and that is to brands. The whole feels tight and stable. You also have no time the idea that you are with a car of 1468 kilograms of kerb on the go. The kilos has Renault subtly know to hide and I can’t escape the impression that this is partly due to the co-steering rear wheels. At the same time you could argue that the GT is approximately 180 pounds lighter would be without that additional technology on board (the TCe 1.2 petrol and manual gearbox weighs 1280 pounds) but that discussion I will let you in the comments.

And about the weight: where I was slightly less excited about ben is the co-operation between my right foot and the EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission. I was already not a fan of the Clio RS, and now I can’t get used to it. I’ve spent most of the time, my object selected with the flippers behind the steering wheel, because the vending machine for my feelings often tend to be high in its rpm to linger. And that occurred not only in the Sport mode, also in the Comfort mode the gearbox sometimes strange switching points. Unfortunately, it is not possible for the GT with manual gearbox to order, so if you (if you are just as critical as I am) compelled the EDC to manually operate. Against better judgement, I hope Renault a manual gearbox option reserves in the future Mégane RS.

It is a small stain on the blazon of an otherwise very nice car. A smooth GTI-like as this Mégane GT suits me and I saw him after the testing period, with slight reluctance, returned. If you are also interested in: the Mégane GT is in the price lists, from €31.290 euro. The version that we drove cost £ 36.098,91 euro. That extra money went on to options if the mouldings in blue carbon-look, the leerpakket i.c.m. heated seats, the upgraded R-Link 2 multimedia system and 18-inch Magny Cours wheels, which are exclusive to the Mégane GT. If this is all too expensive: the Mégane hatchback is to drive from €20.290 euros. Movie!

Gallery: Renault Mégane GT 2016

”

“