![]() ![]() The more powerful and crucially more capable Honda in top-spec GT trim costs £675 less. However, at £36,995, even with the Trophy touches and nicely pitched interior (the seats and infotainment are good, quality elsewhere acceptable), it’s an expensive car. You get LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, a BOSE stereo, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera, cruise control, AEB and lane departure warning on top of everything else mentioned. You could live with it every day, but the ride is borderline, even if the claimed 33.2mpg and a 434-litre boot are good. The updated front and rear lights are minor styling tweaks, but then the RenaultSport’s looks were never a problem with its swollen wheel arches, new, deep chin spoiler with the F1-inspired front blade, and the diffuser that houses the central-exit exhaust, it looks muscular without having to resort to overblown wings and vents like its rival we mentioned before, the Civic Type R. Trophy models also feature sporty Alcantara trim for the bucket seats, which grip you well. The interior is an improvement, thanks to the upgrades that the rest of the Megane range receives, centring on the 9.3-inch touchscreen (the climate controls are now separate, which is a big improvement) and a new 10-inch digital dash. Depending on which options are ticked, the Trophy-R weighs a full 130kg less than. Thank ever-tightening CO2 emissions laws for that. The Megane is the larger car and is actually 60kg or so heavier than the Mini, but it feels the other way around. However, a quick look at the spec sheet reveals an issue that might hamstring the Trophy straight away: for the moment, it’s only available in EDC Efficient Dual-Clutch automatic form. ![]() We love hot hatchbacks in the UK, so this most hardcore of Meganes could be a real winner, especially given how good the French brand’s past efforts in this class have been. We’ve already tried the facelifted version of Renault’s regular Megane – including a PHEV – but now it’s the turn of the Renault Megane R.S. It has character, and the styling and tech tweaks have helped, but when it comes to sheer driving enjoyment and involvement, it lacks the edge to put it top of the class. However, it also feels firm, fidgety and a little flighty on the wrong one. The chassis serves up huge grip and plenty of enjoyment on the right road. Trophy is a great hot hatch that, despite the gearbox, still immerses you in the action – but we do miss the manual.
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