The Renault Megane RS will be a very appealing prospect for the UK?s legion of hot hatch fans thanks to its theatrical looks, thrill-a-minute handling, soul-stirring soundtrack and affordable running costs. It can?t ultimately match the very best-in-class for performance or dynamic polish, while only the most dedicated hot hatch aficionado will be able to put up with the raw ride delivered by the optional Cup chassis, which is standard on the top-of-the-range Trophy model. There?s still a lot to like, though, and if you do end up opting for the RS, you?re unlikely to be disappointed. The regular Megane is a fairly flamboyant-looking car in its own right, so it?s no surprise that the styling of the full-fat hot hatch version is fairly in-your-face. The C-shaped all-LED headlamps are complemented by chequered flag-like designs for the front foglamps, while the single exhaust mounted centrally in the rear air diffuser makes the back end look more theatrical. The obligatory spoilers and gaping air intakes are all present and correct, as are 18-inch alloys that can be upgraded to 19s as an optional extra and come as standard on the top-end Trophy model. The standard RS comes with a reasonable amount of standard kit, which includes cruise control, two-zone climate control, hands-free locking, four electric windows, rear parking sensors and the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that brings together sat-nav, Bluetooth, DAB radio and smartphone integration. A few more bits and bobs are available on the options list, and most are reasonably priced. These include the upgraded infotainment system and the Cup Chassis Pack, as well as an opening sunroof, a rear parking camera and a suede-effect steering wheel. The Trophy model gets the Cup Chassis Pack as standard, as well as the RS Monitor (software that can display telemetry from the engine and steering, laptimes and various other motorsporty data).