Here's Your First Look At The Next Renault Sport Megane

The new Honda Civic Type R has only recently been crowned the fastest front-wheel drive car to lap the Nurburgring, but it might not hold the title for long.

The upcoming Renault Megane RS has its funky, C-shaped eyes locked on the Type R’s time. And now thanks to this leaked image - which first appeared on Facebook - we’re getting an early peek.

We’ve only got the rear to look at, but doesn’t it look potent? With the huge, angled central exhaust, chunky diffuser and wider hips, you’re not going to mistake it for the 1.5-litre diesel.

Unlike the Honda, it doesn’t have a huge goalpost spoiler; the styling is purposeful and a bit more grown up - similar to the VW Golf R or Seat Leon Cupra.

Firepower is expected to come from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol with at least 300bhp. That’s almost a required number for current hot hatches, and it makes the Megane RS one of the most powerful Renaults ever.

It’s a gain of around 30bhp from the previous RS, while four-wheel-steering and bucketloads of grip will be employed to try and get close to the Type R’s blistering Nurburgring time of 7:43. You’ll be able to choose between a six-speed manual or dual clutch automatic gearbox.

Renault has hinted that it’ll be revealed later this year, before going on sale in 2018.

What do you think, CTzens?

Written by freelance journalist Ben Custard