Comparative Golf GTI / Renault Megane Sport
Take a Megane family man, grafting him a bad turbo, big brakes and a devastating look: you get a Mégane Renault Sport. With the arrival on the market for the new Golf GTI last month, here is a good opportunity to measure the French-German, especially as the two cars jostling their segment and innovate in their own way. The match promises to be interesting from a Megane which contained a UFO with its powerful 225 horsepower, exceptional for a French sedan, and the Golf which immediately shows his true ambition GTI sports neglected until now Over the successive versions increasingly gentrified.
1st round: on line
Megane RS
No doubt the French will show that it has under the hood. Wraparound skirts with very front and rear, a large air intake, dual exhaust power and huge 18-inch wheels, you’ll be certain not to remain indifferent to the wheel. Renault adds with unusual colors that distinguish this model from the rest of the range: in Blood Orange or Blue Artic, it will definitely not be mistaken for a domestic oil! Moreover, approaching a little can clearly Brembo brake calipers through the alloy wheels. Front fog lamps placed at the ends of the shield are involved in this original look but seem quite vulnerable to shocks during maneuvers.
Golf GTI
The design of the Golf is slightly more discreet, but more upscale. Changes relative to the rest of the range are less conspicuous but still emphasize its distinctly sporty character: honeycomb grille specific, spoiler, dual chrome exhaust. The acronym GTI is no longer on the front fender as are the trim levels but on the trunk lid: a small detail that says it all! Very openwork rims highlight the brake calipers red. Lower than non-sport versions, this seems Golf stick to the road and no shortage of dog.
Winner: Megane RS
The flavors and colors do not argue, we can play advantage to the Megane, which claims its sportiness with more panache and better distinguished from the rest of the range.
2nd round: the passenger
Megane RS
Megane Our test is as sober as flashy inside and out. Its distinctive features are limited to the Renault Sport logo embroidered on the front seat back (a little more enveloping) and hoops painted black around the dials. Apart from that, we found the ergonomics, comfort and space of the regular Megane Coupe and excellent passive safety (8 airbags, 5 star Euro NCAP crash-test). We easily find a good driving position but on this model one would like to get more driver’s seat to get away from that position a little “truck”. The equipment is very complete with eg electrochromic rearview mirror, automatic headlights xenon, a rain sensor, and sensors for tire pressure.
Golf GTI
The cabin of the Golf is both faithful to tradition and quality standards of the current group. The finish is well above the Megane and the atmosphere more “cozy.” By cons we feel a little cramped, including the place where one driver was quick to reach across the knees with a sporty driving style if it is large. The seats are more enveloping than the Renault, and the little flying thick three-spoke flat bottom is particularly easy to use. Many aluminum inserts enhance the tone and the headliner, black is chic and original. Standard equipment is generous and similar to that of the Megane: LCD trip computer, rear view mirror photosensitive, rain sensor, tire pressure monitoring.
Winner: Golf GTI
Life on board is more pleasant in the Gulf and the stylish and sporty atmosphere contrasts with the sobriety of the Megane. Note however that the latter is much better equipped in storage.
Round 3: Behavior
Megane RS
The chassis is that of Mégane II with a wider track. But with anti-roll bar and stiffer springs, stability and handling are distinctly improved. at the expense of comfort that is secondary, especially when away from the smooth asphalt highway. The front axle pivot independent, supposed to improve traction we were not at all satisfied when the coating is not good, the losses are gross motor skills and self bounces over bumps, sending shock lifts very sensitive in the steering wheel. This is both unpleasant and disturbing, but this fortunately does that when asking the car to its maximum capacity.
Braking side, touch is fundamentally strong with a short stroke and a very frank and direct attack. We enjoyed, but when Madame borrow the car to go shopping it is likely to find his nose in the windshield more than once! The power and endurance are waiting for you, thanks to 4-piston Brembo calipers up front. Note also the electric power steering compared to the coupe review Megane: more firm and precise, it is better suited to driving dynamics. The PSE is unfortunately not totally disconnected, which is unfortunate on a car that bears the coat of arms Renault Sport, the more it reinforces the trend already well under steer chassis. This is indeed the most disappointing point in terms of behavior.
Golf GTI
Lowered 15 mm compared to a Golf Classic, this frame is a great success since the comfort is excellent along the ride. It is rare to find such good compromise apart from the best manufacturers in this field (Subaru, Porsche). Capable of transporting its passengers in a hushed lullaby, the Royal Golf is once you attack, and in all conditions including the most difficult. No ruts, no aisle frightens him and driving the perception of safety is immense. The car is very insensitive to mass transfer and the behavior is much more neutral than the Renault.
This table was nearly perfect if the brake system had been up to. Unfortunately hit the pedal is spongy and endurance brakes failed us during the test, where the Megane persisted without curb soften. However, road braking performance are large enough to never be afraid.
Winner: Golf GTI
Without hesitation, the Golf outweighs the plan through its very successful chassis and more permissive behavior in sporty driving.
Last round: engine and gearbox
Megane RS
Here again, the Megane is less sporty than its curves do suggest at first appear. Indeed the distribution of engine power promotes flexibility and versatility. Yet the accelerations are really impressive, and it was quick to take the game when soars after passing a toll. The sound, a little metal, remains very discreet and without “psssssschit” produced by acute wastegate turbo, they do not suspect a sporty-looking while remaining legal. The box is free of defects with a good layering and precise control, even if a little more sweetness would not have hurt.
Golf GTI
Slightly less powerful than the Megane, the Golf does not provide less sensation when accelerating, thanks to a more muted tone and response times in rapid motor. Responsible for that approval exceptional associated with direct injection turbo, a genuine innovation on a gasoline engine. At the wheel, we want more and we continually take the game resumed as the feeling of immediate availability to all plans is pleasant. However, alongside the Megane on a long straight stays behind the Golf. The rigidity of the motor-box seemed to us slightly less than that of the Renault with the sometimes difficult to engage in very strong support, but the precision and smooth control at very low clearance makes its handling very nice .
Equal Megane / Golf
If the Megane is front sheer acceleration, the Golf offset by more pleasurable sensations and behavior enables besides being the faster of the two on track.
Conclusion
Both cars are great toys for the fathers who stayed in older children. However they are very different in how they give pleasure: the Megane sensation with his devastating look while the Golf provides a more sensual feeling to the driver and individualistic. Insofar as the Megane is “looking” and yet is neither sporty nor totally honest family, we preferred his German rival. However we strongly advise our readers to form their own opinion by taking the wheel of each one in turn, but beware of the total points of your driving license!
