Renault announced the Megane RS Ultime, a limited edition of the hot hatch that marks the end of the Renault Sport era. The last RS-badged model will make its public debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon, marking the 20th anniversary of the Megane RS series which was introduced in 2003.
The Renault Megane RS Ultime will be produced in 1,976 numbered copies, as a nod to the founding year of Renault Sport. All of them will be signed by Laurent Hurgon, the test driver who broke many FWD lap records with the Megane RS and was actively involved with its development. Mind you, Renault Sport was renamed Alpine in 2021 so after the demise of the Megane, the RS emblem will go down in history books.
Read: Renault Megane To End Production After 27 Years And Four Generations
The Ultime is visually distinguished by the matte black graphics on the bonnet, roof, profile, and rear bumper, with a design inspired by Renault’s new emblem and 1976 lettering on the right side. The accents are finished in glossy black and there is Ultime lettering on the front bumper. The livery can be combined with four exterior shades – Star Black, Pearl White, Sirius Yellow, and Orange Tonic – and black “Fuji Light” 19-inch wheels.
The model comes fitted with the RS-specific bodykit which is 60 mm (2.4 inches) wider at the front and 45 mm (1.8 inches) wider at the back, featuring sporty add-ons including the F1-style blade on the front bumper, the side gills, the larger rear wing, and the rear diffuser with a centrally-mounted exhaust pipe.
Inside we find a pair of bucket seats from Recaro upholstered in titanium black Alcantara, numbered door sills, and Laurent Hurgon’s signature on the center console. Unlike the spartan RS Trophy-R, the RS Ultime comes packed with features. Standard equipment includes the 9.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and RS Monitor telemetry, the 10-inch digital instrument cluster, the Bose Hi-Fi system, plus adaptive cruise control and 360-degree cameras. The left-hand-drive model has more optional features compared to its right-hand-drive counterpart, as it can get a head-up display and a sunroof. Finally, owners can opt for the special cover with RS Ultime graphics.
Under the bonnet lies the turbocharged 1.8-liter engine from the Megane RS Trophy, producing the same 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS) and up to 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to the front axle through either a six-speed manual or a six-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic gearbox (Europe-only), assisted by a Torsen mechanical differential. The automatic variant accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.7 seconds, although numbers are not as important in a collectible hot hatch like the RS Ultime. The model comes standard with the lowered Cup chassis, Brembo brakes, the 4Control four-wheel-steering system, and the Bridgestone Potenza S007 semi-slick tires from the hardcore Megane RS Trophy-R.
The market launch of the Renault Megane RS Ultime is scheduled for spring 2023, replacing the RS and RS Trophy trims. The company didn’t announce pricing for the last hurrah of Renault Sport. This year will most likely be the last for the entire range of the ICE-powered Megane, giving way to the fully electric Megane E-Tech crossover as an indirect replacement in the compact segment.
