Renault introduced the Megane nameplate in 1995 and created a number of body types for this moniker, including hatchbacks, sedans, wagons as well as convertibles. The automaker even unveiled an electric SUV and an RS performance model.
Before the company stops production of this popular moniker, Renault plans to unveil a special edition Megane RS Trophy Edition at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon. While the French automaker didn’t give any details of the new machine, we assume it will be the last sport-badged Megane. The company has already altered Renault Sport to Alpine Cars and we have also come to know that the Megane RS will be dead by the end of 2023.
Renault concealed the facts to the point that we even don’t know the real name of the limited Edition model. Some say it will be the “Megane RS Ultime” to hint at its last model. That said, nothing is final yet. We also believe the name will not have ‘Trophy-R’ badge because most of the changes will be cosmetic.
Regarding the powertrain, the upcoming Megane RS special edition will probably carry a turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol mill as we see in the Alpine A110 creating 296 horsepower and 310 pound-feet (420 Newton-meters) of torque. The power goes to the front wheels through a dual-clutch, six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon will be held on January 13-15 at the Makuhari Messe convention center. Renault will not produce the Megane RS Ultime in great numbers but the price will be high. We expect a sticker price of over €50,000 in France, compared to the standard model that starts at €44,650.
The European customer will soon have to say goodbye to the Megane as the company is preparing to kill all the combustion-powered models. The Megane E-Tech electric crossover will take the place of the ICE-powered Megane same as Ford would do with the Focus, which will see its end in 2025. Since Stellantis will sell only zero-emission vehicles in Europe by the end of 2030, we will also see the death of ICE-powered Opel Astra and Peugeot 308 soon.
Source and Images: Motor1