You guessed it, it's Prime Day again. The once-a-year event is where the heavy beasts have gone uncaged and become bats out of hell for the most insane moments of their lives.
For the second time in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to celebrate Prime Day by letting these beasts roar and this year, it's going to get even more feral as the cars I used last year, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the Pagani Zonda R, are rejoined by the Renault Megane RS 250, the hot hatchback that I won back at the #FORDZATHON series update last January.
Ah yes, the beasts of Prime Day. They're the Jurassic menace I'm talking about because they are business and leisure without compromise. From the roaring sound of the 6.2L V8 engine of the F-150 SVT Raptor, the lightness of the Renaultsport Megane III, to the Zonda R's ultimate expression of speed, these unstoppable missiles are the heavy beasts only a few people are lucky enough to drive these while their concentration's on racing mode.
From the moment the F-150 SVT Raptor battles against a HALO jumper, a Renaultsport Megane III battling against a Porsche Boxster, to the Zonda R going all-out, you can really hear these high-performance cannibals roaring to the sounds of prime. These heavy beasts really are badass. Yes!
Since we got the Horizon Badlands on schedule, it's time to give these heavy beasts the most insane races of their lives in select Horizon Raptors venues, just to showcase their technology, lightness, and brutal power, well, scratch the second part because only the Megane and the Zonda got that part.
From as far as Arizona and Rockingham, these heavy beasts come all the way to Mexico, determined to take on the Horizon Raptors. The challenge is on!
THIS...IS...PRIME DAY!!!
From the Zonda R's race-derived technology, and the Megane's lightness, to the F-150 SVT Raptor's brutal power, these unstoppable missiles made PRIME DAY the Jurassic menace you don't want to mess with. Life couldn't get even more exciting when you have the rare opportunity to drive these heavy beasts mixing business and leisure without compromise.
The Renaultsport Megane is the last of the breed as the Renaultsport brand was officially extinct and replaced by Alpine. Needless to say, the last Renaultsport machine will forever be known as the ultimate front-wheel-drive hot hatch that can humiliate even the fattest cats in the ring.
As Meganee-san hits her last song, it's time for a deep dive through the Renaultsport Megane's evolution chain, from where it all began to where it all ends.
The first chapter of the Renaultsport Megane saga is actually based on the second-generation Megane but this here is the R26.R, the most potent version of the said car. With no rear seats and extensive use of lightweight materials, the R26.R weighs 2,712 lbs while its 2.0L petrol engine produces a modest 227hp. Power is not the issue for the R26.R because when it was launched, it had set a Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of 8 minutes and 17 seconds, the fastest for a front-wheel-drive vehicle at that time.
The Renaultsport Megane III that I won from the FH5 FORDZATHON Wet Season playlist is an evolution of Renaultsport's super hot hatch made to humiliate the big ones. This version is the last time the Megane goes three-door because its successor, the last of its kind, is a five-door super hot hatch, but rest assured that it's going to be a future classic for many years to come. Launched in 2009, the Renaultsport Megane III has a 2.0L turbocharged engine that produces 250PS of power while mated to a 6-speed manual, sprinting from 0-100kph in 6.1 seconds, and has a top speed of 245kph. Because of the know-how from the Renault F1 team and the Renault Megane Trophy Race Car, it has improved dynamics compared to the previous model.
And now, the one that would be known as the final page of Renaultsport's history, the final Renaultsport Megane.
Based on the fourth-generation Megane, the all-new Renaultsport Megane is boasted to be the most powerful Renaultsport ever made courtesy of its 1.8L turbo engine that produces 280PS of power and 390Nm of torque, which is 5PS more than the previous Megane R.S. 275. Mated to a rather controversial 6-speed EDC similar to the one used on the Renaultsport Clio IV, it propels the Megane R.S. to a 0-100kph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed limited to 255kph. Although quick, enthusiasts will go for the manual variant of the Renaultsport Megane, where its fun-to-drive charm matters to its track-honed hot hatch.
Learning their lessons from the previous models, the Renaultsport Megane features a reworked chassis that takes advantage of its efficiency, agility, stability, and comfort as well as its 4CONTROL four-wheel steering system and four bump stop shock absorbers.
The Renaultsport Megane offers different variants to choose from such as the Sport, the more traditionalist Cup which is stiffer than the first one and comes with an LSD, the sharper and more powerful Trophy, and the record-breaking Trophy R, which blitzed the Nurburgring front-wheel drive record at 7:40.1, faster than the Honda Civic Type R FK8.
As the world bids farewell not just to the Renaultsport Megane but also to the entire Renaultsport as its transitioning itself to the Alpine brand, it's time to give these three Meganes an uphill drive to the top to find out which one is the best.
You may remember back in our Horizon UK adventure, the Renaultsport Megane IV is the quickest of the three around a rural village. What about on the Mexican Hillclimb to the top of the caldera? Let's find out and oh, THIS IS THE LAST SONG FOR MEGANEE-SAN!
As the three Meganee-sans climbed to the top with their last drops of fuel, here are the results;
Megane R26.R - 3m32.980s
Megane III RS - 3m38.302s
Megane IV RS - 3m35.032s
Although the results are shocking indeed, it looks like the Renaultsport Megane II R26.R is the best Megane of all.
Meganee-san is pleased by this shocking result.
It seems that in the age of the new normal, cars like the Renaultsport Megane have been consigned to the history books and that made me as sad as witnessing the end of the Pretty Series, meaning this is really the last time we say hi to the Prism Stone Meganee-san for real. Dejection I felt, it's been an honor to shake hands with Meganee-san, one last time.
It's the same goes for the Renaultsport Megane. Although the super hot hatch has met its bitter demise, speedo boys have fond memories with it not only because it's the front-wheel-drive hatchback that toppled the Nurburgring like a boss, but because it's the hatchback that made us remember the Renaultsport marque.
Although sad to see the Renaultsport Megane reached the true end, I have last words for this wonder;
Gran Turismo 7 is joining the Prime Day madness as this game has the most insane heavy beasts that are prepared for the most insane moments of their lives.
The F-150 SVT Raptor, the Renaultsport Megane III, the McLaren MP4-12C, and the Pagani Zonda R are the heavy beasts that can't wait to let their wild side unleashed on track.
Primed and ready, these four heavy beasts are known for unleashing their primal strengths wherever lay ahead. From the roaring sound of the 6.2L V8 engine of the F-150 SVT Raptor, the lightness of the Renaultsport Megane III, the motorsport-inspired dynamics of the 12C, and the Zonda R's ultimate expression of speed, these machines are business and leisure without compromise. I know, I always love saying that every Prime Day because these four unstoppable missiles are Prime Day's Jurassic menace.
To unleash the Jurassic menace of these four unstoppable missiles, it's time to let these heavy beasts accelerate violently through Watkins Glen, the newest addition to Gran Turismo 7's track roster. There are two variants of this new addition; the long one and the short one. I went for the long one just to make it more exciting and real.
Let the Jurassic menace begin!
These four unstoppable missiles... Only a few people are lucky enough to drive these while their concentration's on racing mode. However, there can be only one, and here is the result;
F-150 SVT Raptor - 2:29.042
Megane RS Trophy - 2:20.104
12C - 2:10.942
Zonda R - 1:49.354
The most unstoppable missile in Prime Day's Jurassic menace is the Zonda R.
Watching these four unstoppable missiles ripping through the track with such technology, lightness, and brutal power, well, scratch the second part because only three made the cut, this is the main reason why I love Prime Day.
Prime Day is when I'm getting the maximum out of these heavy beasts no matter which video game I'm on. Life couldn't get even more exciting when you have the rare opportunity to drive such monsters.
The fifth-generation Renault Megane is now a fully-electric hatchback that can be either a revolution or a revolting feat, depending on how you see it. Either way, that's how the system works, as a certain someone said. Anyway, it's time to meet your new Megane-san.
2022 Renault Megane E-TECH
2022 Renault Megane E-TECH
Starting at 35,200 Euros plus additional costs, the fifth-generation Renault Megane is a drastic change that shares nothing in common with its predecessors because starting now, the Megane is a BEV that signals the new age for Renault in this time of the new normal.
Beginning with the styling, the all-new Megane draws inspiration from the eVision Concept but in reality, it's hard to describe whether it is a crossover or a hatchback just like the Hyundai IONIQ5 and the Kia EV6, the Megane E-TECH's main targets. Apart from that, the Megane E-TECH is the first Renault to don the new logo because it's the new decade and the new logo rush is the new normal. Either way, that's how the design works, but still, it's worth charming for a French electric car of such size.
2022 Renault Megane E-TECH interior
2022 Renault Megane E-TECH interior
The new interior can be as hospitable as, well, Meganee-san of course, probably because of its roomier creature comforts and boot space compared to the previous model, not to mention the extensive use of recycled materials for guilt-free purposes like most EVs had, but what's on the driver's side is worth a controversy because of its massive touch screen on the dashboard similar to Teslas, which controls much about everything on this car ranging from the audio, the sat-nav, the smartphone connectivity, and so on. This stuff scares speedo boys straight to their knees but as always, that's how the system works.
2022 Renault Megane E-TECH
Now let's get to know more about its electric powertrain, the trump card of the new Megane E-TECH. It features a brand new EESM and it weighs less than the one used on the ZOE, and it features two power configurations with the latter producing 160kw of power and 300Nm of torque, capable of 0-100kph time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 160kph, 20kph slower than everyday Japanese vehicles. As for range, the range-topper is good for 450km based on WLTP standards and its charging time takes 42 minutes to reach 80% when plugged into a public charging station. That's how the electric powertrain works and apart from that, the Megane E-TECH features regenerative braking on demand with four interchangeable brake levels.
In terms of driving feel, the Megane E-TECH feels bulky to drive unlike past Megane models because it weighs over two tons due to its electric powertrain, but it feels stable and civilized. In the end, that's how the Megane works.
The Renault Megane E-TECH, much to the shock of speedo boys behind the wheel, features the most advanced driving aids offered in its class such as Active Driver Assist, Smart Speed Limiter, LDW, BSW, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist, Rear AEB, OSE, and many others. That's how safety features work.
Is the new Renault Megane E-TECH a revolution or a revolting feat? With its crossover styling, futuristic interior, game-changing electric powertrain, and the most advanced safety features offered, you can't really say but in the end...that's how the new Megane E-TECH works.
If there's one French carmaker that knows about motorsport more than anyone, it's going to be Renault. From the Formula 1 track to the Rallycross, this French carmaker's known to have some serious motorsport resume, and in Project CARS 3, the two stars of Groupe Renault, the Renaultsport Megane, and the Alpine A110 are here to shine on the track.
We begin with the Renaultsport Megane IV, the latest itineration of Renaultsport's flagship hot hatch designed to take on the likes of the Honda Civic Type R. Powered by a 1.8L turbo engine producing 280PS of power and 390Nm of torque, it's the most powerful Renaultsport vehicle ever made, and it can be mated to either a manual or an EDC gearbox. It features a reworked chassis that takes advantage of its efficiency, agility, stability, and comfort as well as its 4CONTROL four-wheel steering system and four bump-stop shock absorbers. Legend has it that its stripped-off version claimed the Nurburgring front-wheel drive crown at the time of 7:40.1, faster than the Honda Civic Type R FK8.
And finally, the Alpine A110, the rebirth of the best of the French sports cars that time forgot. With looks inspired by the original rally-winning classic, the modern-day A110 delivers serious sportscar performance enthusiasts are clamoring for thanks to its lightweight materials, rigid aluminum chassis, and unique suspension setup. However, the A110 you saw in Project CARS 3 wasn't just an ordinary A110 because this is the A110S, a more powerful version with the tuned 1.8L turbocharged engine producing 292ps of power and mated to a 7-speed Getrag DCT. Apart from the engine upgrade, it features improved dynamics to make it more potent on the road and track.
These two stars of Groupe Renault really do shine on the track because of their unique dynamics that proved their worth. The Renaultsport Megane, in its Trophy chassis, did upset even the most beefed up hot hatches in town because of its nimble dynamics fit for a front-wheel drive hot hatch while the A110S values its improved dynamics more than its improved power output from its turbocharged 1.8L engine because the way it handles is just how the A110 rolls.
Having been satisfied with both of these French stars, I took them both to the streets of Monaco for a little stretching and then a quick lap around the venue of the Monaco Grand Prix to see who shines brighter.
Two French stars, one battleground. Which of these two is the quickest round the Monaco track? Let's roll the tape.
After a quick power play around the streets of Monaco, here are the results;
Megane - 2:01.031
A110S - 1:54.550
It's quite surprising because the gap between these two French stars at the rate of around six and a half seconds shows that the A110S, thanks to its lightweight bodywork, better dynamics, and the improved 1.8L turbocharged engine, managed to get away from the Megane by a long shot. Impressive.
In the end, the Renaultsport Megane and the Alpine A110 fully demonstrated their French brilliance in a middle of a track day around the south of France and regardless of that matter, they've done their purpose very well.
Looks like French cars of today need to be more fun and engaging like these two and they can learn a lot from them if they had the chance.
A long time ago, I conducted an experiment with my "base" Renaultsport Megane IV against the Honda Civic Type R FK8 and failed miserably. I know that the Renaultsport Megane IV is the best hot hatch Renault was ever made but since it's just a base model, it wasn't enough to outrun the mighty Civic Type R.
Learning from its loss as a basic cooking model, the Renaultsport Megane faces an even harder challenge...
What could this be? I know it's a BMW but what is it?
The BMW M5 F90? Something tells me this car is onto something...
The Renaultsport Megane IV wants to do some sort of tune-up match against the BMW M5 F90 at Fortune Island's Needle Mountain and between you and me, these two are in for a serious rock-climbing activity to do, which reminds me of something...
Our top cats are ready to climb The Needle like every aspiring celebrity would do occasionally and with numerous twists and turns, this is the chance for the Renaultsport Megane IV to flex its French muscles and see if it can keep up against the ultimate sports saloon. Ready, go!
After a little rock climbing at The Needle, here are the results;
F90 M5 - 2:45.966
Megane IV - 2:54.675
A near-9-second difference between the Megane and the M5. That's something this ultimate French hot hatch might learn from messing with the F90 M5 and such motivation sparked an idea. An idea that will exploit the Renaultsport Megane to the fullest.
Imagine someone owned the ultimate Renaultsport Megane IV, the Trophy-R, and then turned it into something special with a bit of "colorful shake" to the mix. That's our top cat in the top Megane, ready to show how it's done.
Staying at Fortune Island, the very special Megane is ready to settle the score against the best Super Hot Hatches on the road, especially a hardened Civic Type R FK8. Without further ado, let's see if our top cat really ascended to the top of the food chain. Ready, go!
Those hot hatches are behaving like members of the Lacrosse club and the Megane is like their leader now. Speaking of which, how's its favorite soulmate, the F90 M5, doing? Better give this saloon a big thanks.
Like ever-changing fashion trends, our favorite M5 has breathed a fresh new wind and a new look to match its personality. This "dancing mirage" got refined for more.
While the Megane enjoys its success above, guess it's the M5's fate to watch from down below, especially when it gets down and dirty against the super saloons.
Our top cats really showed how it's done and I'm starting to fall in love with these two. The F90 M5 and the Renaultsport Megane IV, they're like, you guessed it, Honey Cat. They bond when they compete and this is how they roll.
Now I've seen everything from these two and I can't wait to spend more time with these two because they really are bonding through competition and now, they're the odd couple with the force to be reckoned with.
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