Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy long-term test review: report 5

The car Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy Run by Steve Huntingford, editor

Why it’s here To see if this thrilling hot hatch continues to impress when you live with it every day

Needs to Combine the pace and agility we’ve come to expect from Renault Sport cars with the practicality we haven’t

List price £31,835 Target Price £30,775 Price as tested £35,435 Miles 2826 Official economy 34.2mpg Test economy 26.4mpg

1 October – Sibling rivalry

The old saying tells us less is more. However, sometimes I find it’s just less. And while there are other instances where it costs you more, it isn’t always worth the extra.

Take the new Megane Trophy-R. I recently drove this limited-run model, which sits at the top of the RS range. But although it’s 130kg lighter than my car – the equivalent of kicking out a prop forward  – I’d have to say this makes it ‘different’ rather than ‘better’ to drive.

You see, the biggest weight saving comes from binning the rear-wheel steering system, which if you’ve read my earlier reports, you’ll know is fundamental to the ‘regular’ Trophy’s character. As a result, the R is slightly faster and more predictable round a track, but mostly less thrilling on the road.

Add in the fact that the Trophy-R costs £20k more than my car in standard form, and £40k more as tested, and above all it made me appreciate the value my car offers.

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