The new Renault Megane RS is quite cheap

Hot hatches are going through a purple patch at the moment, and the good news continues with the latest Renault Megane RS 280. Not only is it really rather good, but it’s also cheap. The cheapest of the full-size hot hatches worth considering, no less.

Prices will start at £27,495, ensuring it undercuts even the bargain-tastic Hyundai i30N Performance. The Megane doesn’t come with quite as much equipment, mind, but it does offer much more flexibility. You’ve a choice of Sport or Cup chassis options, and a manual or paddleshift gearbox.

The Cup option comprises ten per cent stiffer suspension, a mechanical limited-slip differential and the option of more powerful brakes. It costs £1,500, but if you order your Megane RS in the next month, you’ll get it for free. Told you this thing was cheap.

The paddleshifter is a dual-clutch transmission and adds £1,700 to the price, though given the Megane has typically been among the more driver-focused hot hatches on sale, you probably want to stick with the manual anyway.

We’re eager to bring you a full test of the Megane against its rivals, but in the meantime, see how it stacks up on all the important stats across the next few slides. Pretty blooming well, without spoiling too much…

Renault Megane RS 280: £27,495
Hyundai i30N Performance: £27,995
VW Golf GTI 230PS: £28,460
Peugeot 308 GTI 270: £28,590
Seat Leon Cupra 300: £29,600
Honda Civic Type R: £30,995

Renault Megane RS 280: 1.8-litre turbo, 276bhp, 288lb ft
Hyundai i30N Performance: 2.0-litre turbo, 271bhp, 279lb ft
VW Golf GTI 230PS: 2.0-litre turbo, 227bhp, 258lb ft
Peugeot 308 GTI 270: 1.6-litre turbo, 268bhp, 243lb ft
Seat Leon Cupra 300: 2.0-litre turbo, 296bhp, 280lb ft
Honda Civic Type R: 2.0-litre turbo, 316bhp, 295lb ft

Renault Megane RS 280: 158mph
Hyundai i30N Performance: 155mph
VW Golf GTI 230PS: 155mph
Peugeot 308 GTI 270: 155mph
Seat Leon Cupra 300: 155mph
Honda Civic Type R: 169mph

Renault Megane RS 280: 5.8secs
Hyundai i30N Performance: 6.1secs
VW Golf GTI 230PS: 6.4secs
Peugeot 308 GTI 270: 6.0secs
Seat Leon Cupra 300: 5.7secs
Honda Civic Type R: 5.8secs

Renault Megane RS 280: 39.7mpg, 161g/km CO2
Hyundai i30N Performance: 39.8mpg, 163g/km CO2
VW Golf GTI 230PS: 44.1mpg, 148g/km CO2
Peugeot 308 GTI 270: 47.1mpg, 139g/km CO2
Seat Leon Cupra 300: 40.9mpg, 158g/km CO2
Honda Civic Type R: 36.7mpg, 176g/km CO2