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Introduction, styling

Car makers have a knack of introducing limited edition models to sweeten the deal for the customers. Some limited edition models offer tweaks to the mechanical bits for improved performance while some offer only minor cosmetic enhancements or more standard kit.

While limited edition models are commonly introduced in big markets in Europe, Singapore doesn't usually see the introduction limited edition models. Recently though, Renault has launched a limited edition version of the stunningly good Megane Renaultsport - the Megane Renaultsport RS Monaco GP Limited Edition. The 'Monaco GP' moniker obviously pays homage to one of the most famous motor races in the world as well as Renault's links in Formula One.

In true Renaultsport style, the three-door Megane III exterior gets styling tweaks that are inspired by F1 as well as the Megane Trophy race cars including a large air intake on the aggressive looking front bumper with LED daytime running lights, heavily sculpted side sills, a deep rear bumper with a centrally-mounted exhaust in between the black rear diffuser and a discreet roof spoiler on the hatch.

To make it stand out from the standard Megane RS, the Monaco GP comes only in pearlescent white paint, which contrasts nicely with the glossy black trim on the grille, side mirrors and rear diffuser - a theme continued inside with the black and white interior. The standard car's 18-inch black wheels have been swapped for 19-inch diamond effect ones with a different design while the obligatory Monaco GP badges can be found just behind the front wheels.

Like the standard Megane RS, the Monaco GP comes with the Cup chassis and hence sits on lower suspension than cars without. The Megane's lowered stance gives it an even more purposeful look and angrier attitude.

Performance, ride and handling

Without any mechanical changes under the skin, the Monaco GP expectedly drives and feels rather similar to the standard car, which is not exactly a bad thing, really. Under the hood of the Monaco GP is the same motor that powers the stock car, which in turn is an evolution of the R26's 2-litre 230bhp unit making 250 French horses. Developed by the petrol heads at Renault Sport Technologies, a further 20bhp was extracted from the 1998cc F4Rt unit through a more responsive turbocharger, a continuously variable intake valve timing system and revised fuel injection mapping. Maximum torque of 340Nm is available at 3000rpm, up on the Megane 225's 300Nm and the R26's 310Nm.

The engine delivers fantastic mid-range punch, making overtaking a painless and effortless affair. On paper, the Megane RS Monaco GP accelerates from rest to 100km/h in just 6.1 seconds, not as quick as the more powerful Scirocco R but it is still a four-tenths improvement over its R26 predecessor.

Throttle response is quick and sharp enough in Normal mode but via the Renaultsport Monitor telemetry system, the driver can select Sport or even Extreme modes for even quicker throttle response. With the Renaultsport Monitor on board telemetry, you can scroll through a number of screens on the dash mounted display showing info like the number of g you pull in a corner, engine parameters, lap timer as well as performance data like 0-100km/h times etc.

A big letdown of the engine though is the uninspiring and flat noise it makes - it sounds more like a fruit blender than something that delivers 250 horses and is nowhere near the intoxicating noise the Focus RS' five-pot motor makes.

Just like the R26, the RS Monaco GP is only available with a good old six-speed manual gearbox. The shifter slides through the gates slicker and more precisely than the R26's box, while the shift throws are short enough if not Type R short. The twin clutch gearbox has proven to be an increasingly popular transmission choice in performance models of late but for sheer driver involvement, nothing beats operating the clutch and selecting the gears manually.

The Cup chassis means that the RS Monaco GP is equipped with stiffer springs, lowered suspension, a tweaked steering and the all-important mechanical LSD, which are the same stuff that made the R26 so sublime compared to the old Megane RS 225.

The steering is nothing short of sublime - it relays bucket loads of feedback and feels just spot on. The pin sharp accuracy and directness is unparalleled among front wheel drive cars these days. In fact all the controls on this car - the pedals, the helm and gearbox feel just so natural and well sorted that it makes the driver feel as one and connected with the car.

You'd have to drive it at more than 80 percent or more to fully appreciate its lively nature and make it strut its stuff though - drive it at only 50 percent or lower and it'll just behave like a typical French shopping trolley. Throw it into any kind of twisty tarmac and it'll just go about attacking the bitumen, shrugging off mid-corner bumps. The RS corners flatly and grip levels are simply astonishing. Thanks to the LSD, traction out of corners is just colossal.

With the standard Cup chassis this good, I really wonder how the Renaultsport chassis gurus could have made the Megane's chassis even more hardcore with the upcoming fire breathing 265bhp Trophy version.

Interior and conclusion

Other than the exterior, the Monaco GP differs most from the standard car on the inside. The exterior's pearlescent white colour scheme is matched by similarly coloured interior door handles, dashboard inlays, seat belts and rev counter. The white seatbelts and rev counter, together with the leather Recaros and white stitching on the seats, steering wheel and gear shift boot do make the Monaco GP cabin feel and look classier than the yellow themed interior of the standard RS.

The previous generation Megane was well known for its appalling lack of quality on the inside. The new Megane's cabin is an improvement over its predecessor's but it is still not up to Volkswagen levels of quality and perceived luxury. In terms of utility, the Megane actually offers more trunk space and rear passenger room than the Volkswagen Scirocco.

Those who expect the Monaco GP to be a limited edition model in the mould of the old Megane Renaultsport F1 Team R26 and Clio Renaultsport F1 Team R27 will be disappointed as this new limited edition model isn't exactly faster or can corner better than the standard car. The Monaco GP is ultimately a Megane RS with added luxuries and extra kit, which Renault will charge you an additional $6k over the price of a standard Megane RS. For those who want an even faster and more hardcore Megane RS, the Trophy should arrive really soon.

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