2018 Renault Megane RS attacks the Nurburgring

RENAULT’S upcoming Megane RS hot hatch has been spied testing at the Nurburgring – the circuit its predecessor once ruled as the FWD lap record holder.

The French hot hatch isn’t taking it slow this time, either. The camouflaged fourth-gen weapon is seen lapping the Green Hell at maximum attack in the video above.

Uncertainty currently surrounds how much power the RS badged Megane will produce, however Renault sources have previously suggested a power output of around 220kW from a boosted four-cylinder.

Renault has confirmed both a manual gearbox with rev-matching functionality and an automatic transmission will be available for the car. Four-wheel steering as seen on the Megane GT will also be equipped as standard.

Manufacturers test and tune everything from SUVs to hypercars on the Nurburgring, though the appearance of the Megane RS is likely related to the brand’s desire to reclaim the front-wheel-drive lap record from the Honda Civic Type R.

Renault has started a surreptitious reveal process for the RS by releasing its own ‘spy’ pictures as the car nears a global debut.

Patent images of the leaked after a filing was made with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have further outed the production car’s appearance.

They show the RS with flared arches front and rear, a more aggressive bumper treatment in comparison to the standard Megane and unique alloy wheels.

It’s likely the Megane RS will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with right-hand drive examples set to be fast tracked to Australia shortly after its European launch to feed our ravenous performance-hungry market.

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