Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup

You may remember that last month I mentioned the Mégane still felt like it needed a bit more running-in. Well, having attended the same excellent Renaultsport trackday at Spa-Francorchamps as Messrs Dobie and Shorrock, I can heartily recommend 20 laps of this ballsy GP circuit as an ideal way to shake off the last vestiges of tightness.

The round trip was a thorough test of the Mégane’s abilities, what with the lengthy motorway and autoroute schlep, coupled with some great roads through the Ardennes and, of course, the lappery itself. I’m pleased to say the hardcore Recaro seats are long-distance comfortable, and the ride – while resolutely firm – is never less than tolerable, even on Belgium’s atrociously potholed autoroutes.

The 250-300-mile fuel range is a bit tiresome, but the smooth, torquey turbocharged motor strikes a pleasing balance, sounding great when you’re giving it death, but hushed when cruising on a steady throttle opening.

I was careful not to beast the brakes, so they stood up well and feel none the worse for the track action. The 19in Conti tyres coped well too, although having also tried another journo’s long-term Mégane 250 with 18in rims, I have to admit that the more modestly shod car was more amusingly responsive to provocation on track. A short-term wheel swap could be on the cards…

Read Dobie's report on the Clio 200 Cup's Spa adventure