Here it is, the latest Renaultsport model. Debuting this week at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2023 in Japan, the Megane RS Ultime serves as the swan song for the French brand’s RS models as future performance vehicles will carry the Alpine branding. The individually numbered finals started as a Trophy model and added a series of visual tweaks. Production was limited to 1,976 cars as a tribute to the year Renault Sport was founded.
Available in Star Black, Pearl White, Sirius Yellow and Tonic Orange, the hot hatch gets matte black graphics on the front doors and fenders, as well as on the hood, roof and rear bumper. An “Ultime” monogram has been added to the front while black body accents include door handles, side mirrors, window frames, diffuser, wheels and all logos. Compared to the regular Megane, the RS has a more muscular body kit with 60 mm wider front fenders and 45 mm wider rear fenders and a central exhaust.
Stepping inside, Ultime has Recaro bucket seats wrapped in black titanium Alcantara seats with the RS logo. To indicate its special status, Renaultsport added a numbered metal plate at the bottom of the center console. Located just in front of the gearbox lever, the plate is signed by development racer Laurent Hurgon who holds Nürburgring, Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps records for front-wheel drive cars.
Renault is selling the Megane RS Ultime as an almost fully loaded vehicle as the only options available are a sunroof and a head-up display, both of which are offered exclusively for left-hand drive cars. Additionally, buyers can opt for a custom enclosure to protect what will likely be a prized car in the next few decades when everything will be electric.
Although press images show the ultimate hot hatch with manual and automatic, the version intended for sale in Europe will only be available with EDC. Power comes from a 1.8-liter turbocharged petrol engine with 300 hp and 420 Nm (309 lb-ft) of torque, a four-cylinder engine shared with the mid-engined Alpine A110. Renaultsport installed a semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza S007 originally developed for the hardcore Trophy R.
The Megane RS Ultime uses 19-inch Fuji Light wheels and features Brembo brakes with red calipers. Other items worth mentioning include the lowered Cup chassis, rear wheel steering and Torsen mechanical differential. As for the interior, the 10-inch digital instrument cluster is complemented by a 9.3-inch infotainment system with a dedicated telemetry system and Bose speakers.
A future collector’s item, the Renault Megane RS Ultime is slated to go on sale this spring.
