Megane Renaultsport 265

Put your right forward down hard and you will shoot from 0 to 62mph in only six seconds.

And if looks could kill I would be little more than a pile of ashes on the A64.

The Mégane Renaultsport 265 is a finger-burning hot hatch that just about has it all.

There's even a choice of chassis - standard or Cup - with the latter featuring a limited slip differential. But for this road test I opted for the regular set-up. The Cup chassis is better left to the track enthusiasts.

For afficionados of the Megane Renaultsport, I can tell you that for this 2014 incarnation there's a tiny increase in acceleration, power is increased by 15hp to (you guessed it) 265hp , and where it is legally OK to do so you can soar to 158mph.

Renault has a pedigree in hot hatches of more than 35 years. This began in 1976 when, with the first Volkswagen Golf GTi still a year away from launch, the company re-wrote the performance small car rule book forever with the 5 Gordini.

This premise of affordable, class-leading performance has remained the key driving force to the company’s three decades of dedicated hot hatch development.

This latest crackerjack features a two-litre, turbo-charged engine linked to a new PK4 six-speed gearbox.

Before taking a seat in the sporty cabin, there's plenty to view on the outside.

Renaultsport has developed the exterior to provide a purposeful look with changes aimed to improve aerodynamic performance. Extended wheel arches and side sills cover the 18-inch or 19-inch wheels, while an F1-inspired aerodynamic package includes front blade, rear air diffuser and additional rear spoiler.

If there's one thing you are sure to need with this beast it is an effective set of brakes. Hence the substantial 340mm ventilated front disc brakes with Brembo four-pot callipers and 290mm discs to the rear.

The Renault hot hatch flagship also boasts three-stage electronic stability control which allows the performance to be enjoyed in safety on road and on track.

Bespoke Renaultsport seats are fitted and Recaro seats are available as an option. The fascia features analogue instruments, in contrast to the rest of the Mégane range which uses digital displays. There's something very appropriate about an old-school display matching performance motoring.

It is available in seven colours - Glacier White, Capsicum Red, Diamond Black, Mercury, Oyster Grey and pearlescent Renault i.d. Arctic White and Liquid Yellow. The Renaultsport is unlikely to attract those of a timid disposition, but the Liquid Yellow option is perhaps best left to those of an extrovert nature.

New interior trims showcase the quality of the cabin. The upholstery, steering wheel, gear lever knob and gear lever bellows all feature visible red stitching to match the red dashboard trim strip.

The devil is in the detail, they say, and once you get your hands on the steering wheel you do begin to feel a little wicked. It is designed to be comfortable and sporty, trimmed in full-grain leather, height- and reach-adjustable to find the ideal driving position and shaped with integrated thumb rests ensure perfect grip. The finishing touch is a yellow centre-point marking that is useful when taking a sequence of tight corners or when driving on low-grip surfaces.

What's not to like? Well, the over-the-shoulder view is poor, which demands extra care with positioning at T-junctions, and it's not a roomy car. Other than that, you can enjoy the car in a variety of environments because it offers a civilised ride with bags of creature comforts.

Thanks to its exceptional dynamic qualities, Mégane Renaultsport stands out as the C segment’s best-selling high-performance coupé. It has won over 12,500 buyers worldwide since its European launch in January 2010. In June 2011, it established a new lap record at the Nürburgring, making it the fastest front-wheel drive car ever round the ‘Nordschleife’.

It is also frequently compared to the most prestigious supercars for the driving sensations it delivers. It's that good.

At a glance

Megane Renaultsport 265

Price: £26,925

Engine Four-cylinder two-litre petrol, producing 265bhp

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Performance: 0 to 62mph in 6.0 seconds; top speed 158mph

Economy: 37.7mpg combined

CO2 emissions: 174g/km