While not many corporate drivers are allowed enough of a free choice to select performance versions of more regular hatchbacks, Renault fleet boss Darren Payne recently told BusinessCar that the RenaultSport models are doing a useful job as both a halo product, and among drivers given more freedom with their car choices, especially given the emissions for such a powerful car are so reasonable.
Not too long ago, a sub-200g/km 250hp hatchback would have been a ridiculous suggestion, but that’s now reality with Renault’s Megane Coupe. It’s a really impressive machine from a driver’s point of view, easily up there with the very best performance hatchbacks, and a fuel economy figure of 33.6mpg is acceptable. The ride, on the Cup chassis fitted to our car, is pretty hard, although the standard version should be more accommodating of more mundane journeys.
Running costs are hit by a residual value of just 30.1%, but 65.9p per mile isn’t an unreasonable result for well-priced access to such potent performance.
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