It’s not fairly often that I’d advocate the dual-clutch or automated model of a efficiency automotive over a six-speed handbook. Nevertheless, within the case of the 2020 Renault Megane R.S. Trophy, I’d completely advocate the EDC (Environment friendly Twin Clutch) over the stick shift.

Roughly seven months in the past, when a lot of the world was locked down through the first wave of the coronavirus, I had the pleasure of driving the Megane R.S. Trophy with a handbook for every week. Regardless of a couple of quirks, it was a pleasure to drive. The EDC variant is even higher.

A powertrain despatched from the heavens.

Just like the handbook, the EDC-equipped mannequin contains a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 296 hp (221 kW) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. This is likely one of the finer engines powering any fashionable sizzling hatch however extra on that later. Drive is shipped solely to the entrance wheels.

Going into my week with the EDC mannequin, I used to be a bit apprehensive, notably since I had pushed the VW Golf GTI TCR with its DSG simply a few weeks beforehand (evaluation coming quickly) and was left questioning if Renault’s dual-clutch may compete. It doesn’t simply compete with the VW’s – it’s truly higher.

A six-speed unit, the transmission is silky easy at low speeds and freed from any of the hesitation of others comparable transmissions in the marketplace. Positive, the paddle shifters are mounted oddly excessive on the steering column however all is forgiven the second you begin driving the Megane RS Trophy in anger.

The recent hatch additionally comes outfitted from the manufacturing unit with an distinctive exhaust system that produces a stunning burble at idle, even whenever you’re driving within the ‘Impartial’ mode. Change issues into Race or Perso modes and the aural expertise is enhanced threefold because the exhaust opens up. Pin the throttle and issues solely get higher.

The drive

The six-speed handbook provided for the automotive is sweet however not nice, particularly when in comparison with the distinctive stick shift of the Honda Civic Sort R. Essentially the most fast distinction you’ll discover with the EDC is that on upshifts, it prompts a stunning crack from the exhaust. What’s much more thrilling is the truth that the gearbox even provides you a small kick within the chest when altering up by the gears. Positive, it’s not fairly just like the kick you get from a Lamborghini Aventador in Corsa mode, however that’s not a good comparability and, anyway, it does add some pretty drama to the expertise. Downshifts are additionally a pleasure the place, as soon as once more, the exhaust fires to life, producing the kind of whipcrack sound that not even a Hyundai i30 N can match.

Learn Additionally: Driven – 2020 Renault Megane R.S. 300 Trophy Is Raw, Uncompromising, And Addictive

With the EDC, the Megane RS Trophy feels speedy in a straight line. Renault claims it’s going to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds, matching the Civic Sort R. Our take a look at automotive come fitted with the accessible R.S. Monitor that gives every kind of telemetry information, so we determined to place it to the take a look at. With launch management enabled and a wholesome dose of wheelspin, I used to be capable of match Renault’s official time.

With launch management switched off, I recorded a time of 5.12 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph), a determine I discovered a bit exhausting to consider. Is the onboard telemetry system a bit optimistic? Presumably. It’s value noting our 5.12-second run was recorded on a stretch of personal highway with a temperature of 36 levels Celsius (96.8 levels Farenheit) outdoors, leading to a really sticky piece of pavement which eradicated most slip from the tires.

As with every good RenaultSport product, the R.S. Trophy additionally thrives within the corners. The limited-slip differential places the facility to the bottom effectively and instantly evokes confidence within the driver. Grip from the Bridgestone S001 tires appears limitless. Nevertheless, when you’re a bit too keen on the throttle by a nook, not even the LSD can forestall the automotive’s grunt from spinning up the entrance wheels and pushing you vast.

The ‘controversial’ stuff

One space of debate in regards to the automotive pertains to its four-wheel steering system, or as Renault calls it, ‘4Control.’ You possibly can alter how this method behaves within the Perso menu by the Dynamic Drive System. In its most lively mode, ‘Impartial,’ the rear wheels flip as much as 2.7 levels at speeds of below 60 km/h (37 mph) whereas in ‘Race’ mode, they flip at speeds under 100 km/h (62 mph). No matter which setting you select, the automotive darts into the nook with so little effort and with such small actions of the steering wheel that it initially feels unnerving. Nevertheless, when you get used to utilizing such minute steering inputs, it provides a singular character to the automotive. We are able to’t assist however considering, although, that some folks is not going to prefer it.

One other side of the automotive that has ruffled a couple of feathers is the suspension, specifically attributable to the truth that it isn’t adjustable like so many different class-leading sizzling hatches. To try to rectify this, RenaultSport has fitted hydraulic bump stops, however even nonetheless, the automotive rides agency.

Throughout my week with the automotive, I lined roughly 1,400 km (870 miles) with a mixture of twisting coastal roads, lengthy stretches of highways, and technical mountain passes. On bumpy roads, the suspension can develop tiresome however for essentially the most half, I had no complaints. Admittedly, I personal a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R so am in all probability extra tolerant of harsh-riding automobiles than most. Objectively, although, the non-adjustable suspension system places the Megane R.S. Trophy at a drawback to its rivals.

The cabin of the Renault matches up effectively in opposition to the competitors. There are some pretty dashings of Alcantara, in addition to varied carbon fiber accents. The configurable accent lighting can be a pleasant contact, as is the 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster. The seats are agency however maintain you in place effectively. Sadly, the seats didn’t alter fairly as little as I’d have appreciated. A nine-speaker Bose audio system with a subwoofer and digital amplifier is one other good contact.

By way of gas effectivity, Renault claims the Megane R.S. Trophy consumes simply 8 l/100 km (29.4 mpg) over the mixed cycle. We recorded 10.2 l/100 km (23.9 mpg) which, contemplating how we had been driving the automotive, is spectacular, though our roadtrip did embrace lengthy freeway stints that introduced that determine down.

Our take a look at automotive was priced at AU$56,990, together with the AU$1,000 Liquid Yellow paint however excluding on-road prices.

The Megane R.S. Trophy EDC is a particular automotive. Not solely is it higher than the handbook but it surely is likely one of the most interesting sizzling hatches on sale. Positive, it’s a little uncompromising however that solely provides to its appeal. In 5-7 years, I feel I’d simply have to start out looking out the classifieds for one…