Aimed squarely towards the VW Golf GTI and the Ford Focus ST, the new Megane Renaultsport 250 made its world premiere in Geneva. The hottest version of the Megane comes with a new-generation two-liter 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine producing 250hp at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm from 3,000rpm. That’s an increase of 25hp and 40Nm over the outgoing Megane R26. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Under the skin, the new Megane Renaultsport 250 has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the current version. Like the Renaultsport variants of the Clio and Twingo ranges, the Megane is available with a choice of two chassis, the standard sport chassis or the Cup chassis, which comes with a limited slip differential for even greater traction. Equally importantly, the hot Megane is equipped with an ESP (electronic stability control) that is fully disconnectable.

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The countdown has began for the announcement of the European ‘Car of the Year 2009′ winner as the organizers released the shortlist with the seven finalists. The cars that made it to the final round of the 2009 COTY are: Alfa Romeo MiTo, Citroen C5, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Megane, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Golf VI. The COTY jury, which is made up of 59 senior motoring journalists from 23 countries around Europe will reveal the winner on November 19.

The COTY’s organizing committee also released a statement in concern of recent news stories that gave the result of a ‘European Car of the Year’. According to the committee, this contest was a national one staged by the Italian Motor Journalists Association and had no connection whatsoever with the ‘Car of the Year’.

COTY PREVIOUS WINNERS

• 2008 — FIAT 500
• 2007– FORD S-MAX
• 2006 — RENAULT CLIO
• 2005 — TOYOTA PRIUS
• 2004 — FIAT PANDA
• 2003 — RENAULT MÉGANE
• 2002 — PEUGEOT 307
• 2001 — ALFA ROMEO 147
• 2000 — TOYOTA YARIS
• 1999 — FORD FOCUS
• 1998 — ALFA ROMEO 156
• 1997 — RENAULT MÉGANE SCENIC
• 1996 — FIAT BRAVO / BRAVA
• 1995 — FIAT PUNTO

Renault has thankfully brought more to the Sao Paulo Auto Show than just an F1 edition of its inexpensive Dacia Sandero with racy decals and a bodykit. The other car in its display is another Sandero, but this one is much cooler. Called the Sandero Sand’up concept, it’s a 2+2 beach runabout that can go from a closed hard-top coupe to a convertible pickup thanks to its modular design. While not the freshest idea to appear on a concept, the Sand’up is charming enough with its big wheel arches, satin nickel roof rail arches and see-through doors. The first concept by Renault to be designed entirely in South America, the Sand’up is not surprisingly powered by a 1.6L Hi-Flex engine that produces 107 hp on gasoline and 112 hp on ethanol, the latter of which is a more popular fuel below the equator than above at the moment.

Following the recent introduction of the new Megane III 5-door hatchback in September, Renault unleashed the 2009 Megane Coupe III at the Paris Motor Show. Renault’s designers did a wonderful job converting the mundane Megane 5d into a sporty 3door hatch that really looks the part. To achieve this, the French automaker’s design team had to restyle the Megane from ground up as only the bonnet, wings and headlamps are shared by the coupe and hatchback versions. Furthermore, the Megane Coupe sits 12mm lower than the hatch giving it a more aggressive stance.

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If you liked the new 2009 Megane Coupe’s looks, then you’re going to fall in love with the competition version that will participate in the 2009 season of the World Series car championship by Renault. To be precise, Renault actually retained the underpinning of the previous Megane Trophy adding a composite body that takes its inspiration from the lines of the new Megane Coupe, but the result is stunning.

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