So the Alpine A290 is probably as good as we dared hope, taking so much of what we loved about French hot hatches - the style, the vim, the lift off oversteer - into the electric world. It’s one of those cars we’re really keen to try again, because the first drive was so encouraging.
In theory, too, the A290 will only get better from here, as Alpine experiments with different features to get the best from the platform. There’s clearly headroom in the package for a bit more edge and a bit more power to really ramp up the attitude. It’s something we’re familiar with from recent Renaultsport hot hatches, and look forward to continuing with such an auspicious start to the world of EV pocket rockets.
Perhaps nothing demonstrated how far the genre could evolve than the original Renaultsport Megane, based on the bustle backed Mk2. The first 225s of 20 years ago were pretty plain by the standards of the sector back then, lacking much by way of excitement. But we all know what happened next, with Renault quickly addressing criticisms with a Cup chassis option, a Trophy, the R26 with a limited-slip diff, even what could probably be classed as the best diesel hot hatch ever. From a less than inspiring initial offering, the Megane became a hot hatch legend. So imagine what could happen with the A290 from here…
The zenith of those hot Meganes was, of course, the R26.R. We don’t want to hash over too much of what’s been said already, because you’ll know it all: the 123kg weight saving, the Nurburgring time, the unsold units from a very limited run because it could hardly have been launched at a worse time. What’s intriguing about the R26.R now, and the same applies to its direct successors in fact, is the very fact it happened at all. This one is just 15 years old, and in the decade and a half since, we’ve had two more ruthlessly focused, Megane badged record breakers (with only 30 units of each for the UK), the end of Renaultsport has an entity and the launch of an electric Alpine hot hatch. Renault still would have had a great legacy without those ‘R’ Meganes; making three of them ensured it icon status for a very long time.
This one has an interesting history, as a development car for RS Tuning. Where it was once running a hotter tune of 2.0-litre turbo, it had a standard engine refitted a few years back. It still boasts a few extra goodies for the next owner, though, including racier pads, a lighter flywheel and KTEC goodies, so those that do want to take it on track - and you really must - should get an exceptional R26.R experience.
As a not-quite-concourse example, with 38,000 miles and the engine swap, this Megane definitely looks like the R26.R to really discover what all the fuss is about (every bit of it is warranted) rather than stow away in a collection. There’s loads of history with it (including a gearbox rebuild earlier this year), the Yokohama tyres are nearly new, and the original wheels are included in the sale. Looks pretty damn good for its age, too, wear pretty minimal and Lunar Grey paint - here before everyone else copied flat grey - scrubbing up well. With hot hatches like this never going to happen again, spending £30k on a Megane probably isn’t a silly place to put the money, either. There are certainly other two seaters out there that will lose more cash and not be as fun to drive, put it that way. In fact, given the rear bench is so cramped in an A290, that could be the first thing to go in an electric Trophy R…
SPECIFICATION | RENAULTSPORT MEGANE R26.R
Engine: 1,998cc, inline four, turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 230@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 229@5,000rpm
MPG: 33.2
CO2: 199g/km
First registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 38,000
Price new: £24,040 (before options)
Yours for: £31,990
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