Performance Review: Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault Megane Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Renault Megane has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Megane shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Megane's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1387 kgs (3057 lbs) this makes the Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault Megane shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 261 bhp (194 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 266 lb-ft (360.6 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault Megane you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (213.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault Megane.

The Renault Megane has a Power to weight ratio of 188.1 bhp per ton and 191.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Megane competing with the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (213.1 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Subaru Impreza P1 - Classic (213.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Renault Megane generating around 191.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 997 (216.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Dodge Charger 6.1 SRT8 (216.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Megane and the 1992 BMW 5 Series M5 E34

When talking about the performance of the Renault Megane on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.01 secs @ 97.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 BMW 5 Series M5 E34 (13.94 secs), the 1965 Ford Mustang Hardtop 289 4.7 V8 (13.96 secs), and the 1965 Ford Mustang 289 Fastback 4.7 V8 (13.96 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup has a maximum speed of 158mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Megane equals the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup then how about the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph), the 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (169 mph), or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Megane Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison