This is the new Renault Megane RS. Sort of

Underneath that sheet in the image above lies the all-new, 2017 Renault Megane RS.

At least we think it does. To celebrate garnering a significant number of fans on a small social networking site (the name escapes us), Renaultsport tells us we can expect something RS-shaped later this year.

So, that’ll be the new Megane RS, then. Details, as you’d expect, are rather short on the ground. We can confidently tell you that it’ll have lights – fancy ones, by the looks of it – some wing mirrors, and probably some doors and an engine.

Just how powerful that engine is remains to be seen, but expect something in the region of 300bhp, if we track the gradual evolution of Megane RSs of old (the most recent one had 271bhp). Enough to keep things interesting in the ever competitive super-hot-hatch arms race, in any case.

We also reckon that engine will come attached to either a six-speed manual or a paddleshift auto gearbox, driving the front wheels. Four-wheel-steer? It’s been rumoured. Though Renaultsport is likely to keep the RS’s ‘raw’ philosophy for this new car, which means you can expect – again, tracing Megane RSs gone by – a ‘Cup’ option (limited slip diff et al), and a hardcore, track-slaying ‘Trophy’ version (you know the drill – no rear seats, super sticky tyres, lightweight exhaust, no air-con etc).

And considering the Megane RS will no doubt be gunning for a Nürburgring lap record too – to reclaim it from the likes of the Leon, Civic Type R and this week’s record holder, the Golf GTI Clubsport S – there’ll probably be an even more hardcore pack option. Again, expect bigger brakes, even more svelte seats, a lighter battery and so forth.

Of course, the fact we’ve speculated an entire story out of a teaser image just goes to show how important this new Megane RS is. To us, at least. We could also be entirely wrong. The next Megane RS could be a mid-engined, rear-drive V8 hyper-hatch powered by unobtanium. Who knows.

We’ll report back when we have actual, concrete facts. Until then, speculate away! And if you really want to read about a hot Renault, click here for TopGear.com's full story on the mad, bad 271bhp RS16 SuperClio...