Living Up To Its Motorsport DNA: The Facelifted Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy Is Finally Revealed!

TC Euro Cars (TCEC) has unveiled the all-new facelifted Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy, which marks its debut in Malaysia. Designed and built with power and performance, the hot hatch features performance tweaks, minor aesthetic changes and new interior equipment. 

Powering the vehicle is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder direct injection turbo engine alongside a 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission which produces 296 hp at 6,000 rpm and 430 Nm at 3,200 rpm respectively. With fuel consumption at 8.3l/100km and 255km/h top speed, the RS 300 is able to complete a century sprint in 5.7 seconds. 

Some minor changes can be seen on the exterior, starting off with a RS vision high-performance lighting setup which combines four functions - side lamps, cornering lamps, fog lamps and long-range high beam lamps. Also new is the rear bumper with built-in diffuser and iconic central exhaust with decorative trim, which epitomizes the RS line up. A narrower rear spoiler with vertical vents is also spotted, improving the vehicle’s aerodynamic performance. Riding on 19-inch JEREZ diamond-cut wheels with Brembo® brake callipers in striking red, it features a diamond-cut finish encompassed by red borders around. 

Interior-wise, the vehicle exudes a sport cabin feel with exclusive RS upholstery, high-end materials, intricate finishes and details that symbolizes the Renault Sport identity. A new digital instrument cluster is included with a customisable 7-inch TFT driver display and the 7-inch EASYLINK touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support replacing the 8.7-inch R-Link 2 on the pre-facelift RS 280. Complimenting the overall feel of the cabin is fiery red detailing across as well as Multi-Sense ambient lighting with eight colour options. 

The centre console switchgear is also revised, with an additional third rotary knob for the air conditioning system. 

Four RS Drive modes are available, comprising “My Sense”, “Save”, “Sport” and “Race”. Depending on gearbox mapping, behaviour of ESP, power steering sensitivity, accelerator pedal and exhaust sound, each mode brings a unique performance to the drivers.

The facelifted hot hatch is also fitted with front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, cruise control with speed limiter, electronic parking brake, Hill Start Assist (HSA) and 4CONTROL - a four-wheel steering system which provides top-notch agility through tight turns and cornering stability at higher speeds. 

In terms of safety, the vehicle is suited with driver and front passenger adaptive airbags, lateral chest-level side airbags for driver and front passenger, front and rear curtain head airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and ABS with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), LED indicators integrated to door mirrors, ISOFIX attachment system on rear side seats, tyre pressure monitoring system and a RS custom braking system. 

The RS 300 will be available in five colours - a new Flame Red, Diamond Black, Pearl White, Orange Tonic and the signature Liquid Yellow. Note that the two latter colours are available with an additional RM9,000 cost option. 

Compared with its predecessor, the pre-facelifted RS 280 Trophy features RS Vision full-LED headlamps with C-shaped daytime running lights which is now replaced with C-Shaped daytime running light, rear lamps and LED light signature. The RS 280 rides on 19-inch “Interlagos” alloy wheels which is now replaced with the aforementioned 19-inch Jerez alloy wheels on the facelifted hot hatch. Additionally, the RS 300 also receives an upgrade from the two air-cond knobs, 7-inch TFT digital instrument cluster and 8.7-inch R-Link 2 infotainment system to three rotary knobs, all-new 7-inch TFT driver’s information display with 7-inch EASYLINK infotainment display.

Meanwhile, when compared to its rival, the Honda Civic Type R, with the two vehicles carrying a 1.8L 4-cylinder direct injection turbo engine and a 2.0L VTEC turbocharged engine individually. In terms of the gearshift, the RS 300 is fitted with a 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) while the Civic Type R uses a 6-speed manual transmission. With minor differences for the engine, it is indeed a close call as both cars are able to complete a century sprint by a 0.1 second difference, maintain a 0.5l/100km fuel consumption difference while producing 296 hp and 420 Nm and 306 hp and 400 Nm, respectively. 

Below is a detailed table of the comparison between the two vehicles:

The Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy facelift is available starting from RM324,476 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM174,888 for Langkawi, inclusive of the SST exemption that is available till June 30 with a three-year or 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first). Several subscription plans are also available, with price ranging from RM5,200 to RM7,200 depending on the number of years subscribed. 

To know more about the Megane RS 300 Trophy, check our video here!

What do you think of this facelifted hot hatch? Will it prove to be better than the RS 280? Let us know your thoughts down below!