LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Renault Megane R26R vs VW Golf GTI Clubsport S

Watch our newest films before they're on KZbin: bit.ly/D_TRBvideos
Front-wheel drive is too easily dismissed as being wrong-wheel drive. But these two hot hatches - the Renault Megane R26R and VW Golf GTI Clubsport S - prove that putting power through the front axle can still create an incredible driver's car. DRIVETRIBE's Features Editor Henry Catchpole explains why…
Follow us:
/ drivetribes
/ drivetribe
Subscribe to the DRIVETRIBE KZbin channel: bit.ly/D_TRBsubs

[@3mfreale]

I absolutely love the r26r, thought I'd never see it again in an online review. Thank you drivetribe!

[@DrivenPlus]

Hold my beer… ⌛️

[@MrBfeboi]

I've had the chance to drive the R26R at Spa in the wet and i can confirm that the FWD trounced other ppl in their RWD m3, cayman and exige. The LSD just rocketed me out of corners whereas everyone was carefully weening on the power trying not to spin and crash

[@camlit13]

Jethro and Henry Catchpole. Well done DriveTribe. Well done.

[@Kamukix]

I was just coming to say that they've earned top marks in my book. I especially enjoy Catchpole, for some reason I just connect with his style. Jethro does a fantastic job as well, very playful and full of joy kinda feeling. They've earned my subscription.

[@ScottZ370]

Honestly I respect Renault so much because without them we wouldn't have the simply ridiculous hot hatches we have today

[@chrismartin6427]

S Miller golf GTI

[@ScottZ370]

Okay yes without the original GTi we might not even have hot hatches in the first place. But the Gti never really pushed the game on like Renault did.

[@callumpenman5992]

S Miller to bad it's made by Renault, maybe they wouldn't break down as much....speed doesn't matter when you're on the hard shoulder

[@dancecolin393]

saying that renault breakdown too much is an old thing, they are reliable now

[@callumpenman5992]

dance colin no their not I know from personal and professional experience they have never will never be reliable, nor will Nissan or Vauxhall models that use Renault parts

[@Gavin756]

Every time I watch vids like this I have to go for a drive! Excellent stuff.

[@rextetron]

Come on Henry, we all know that the Golf's engine noise is generated artificially through the speakers to the cabin. Great car still.

[@frippy72]

A jeremy clarkson-esque simile: 'The equivalent of stripping off your 3 piece suit, shaving your head and piercing your nipples'

[@frankgile1996]

I cracked up when he described the noise... "the noise is, well, it's sort of Darth Vader on a particularly asthmatic day"

[@300ZCorradoVR6Z]

Brilliant video Henry!

[@mx19idlewilder]

Jethro and Henry all the way. Well, maybe I'm a little bit biased being an Evo fan but they are just class above the rest. Brilliant stuff.

[@airbustan]

Marvelous piece of work!

[@scottt.4596]

Great video and review! Thanks!

[@andrewthemorley]

I was very lucky to learn to drive in the R26 (non-R) and it is also brilliant, has a stereo, and is just about the perfect functional hot-hatch in my book. I'm always keen to see more hot-hatches on this channel. I'd also love to see some modern reviews of things like the Peugeot 205 GTI and 405 Mi16 to introduce them to a newer generation. Good stuff Drivetribe.

[@mixalisstathis274]

Peugeot 205 GTI and 405 Mi16? Yes, absolutely!!!

[@benshaw887]

Brilliant. Nailed it again. More please!

[@p.sethia1830]

your videos are amaaaazing! all presenters are great as well!

[@mariodiniz21]

Great video thanks!

[@Abrikosmanden]

Very nice video. Slow paced in fast cars, nice relaxed atmosphere and sort of a nostalgic feel. I enjoyed that. Well done!

[@klasseact6663]

GREAT video!

[@grechjames]

Henry Catchpole - You know it's going to be a good one! - Watch - Like - and KZbin search Henry Catchpole. Well done ! keep them coming

[@pauldowner1]

Another great video thank you :)

[@michalrzad1660]

Guys video with the DC2R, R26R, GTI CS S, New Civic R, etc etc would be great.

[@TripleDigit]

Its not a Drive Tribe video unless a Porsche is mentioned lol. lovely review

[@scotthastings8845]

I will hopefully own an R26R. Renault make the best drivers hot hatches (not the MK4 clio that was a mistake) but I will probably need to get into a 250/265/275 cup first as the R26R is still out of my price range for the time being.

[@saarangsingh7654]

Such a good video! Could you tell me what the songs in the very beginning and end of the video are?

[@BlindTrustProject]

The inside shots looks like out of Gran Turismo or Forza. Great production. (And amazing R26 R)

[@beanburnham01]

Catchpole and hot hatches. I hit like. I'm a simple man

[@kzbzdau]

Great review and presenter.

[@fgdgrddsew2]

love my R26 also number 001 r26r , awesome

[@Kamukix]

I so wish they had sent the Clubsport S or even the regular Clubsport to the USA. I would've absolutely bought one. I agree that cars like these honestly make you overwhelmingly aware that the need for even MORE performance is pretty much futile. They're so incredibly potent that if you try to use their full performance on the public road.....well, I wish you the best of luck in your short time on Earth. Wonderful cars, just wonderful.

[@nhoff7703]

After owning a GTI 337 for a decade and now a '16 R.. I would love a CS! Hopefully North America gets a 50th Anniversary version when the time comes.

[@clownworld-honk410]

The Honda type R might be quicker but it looks ridiculous. Maybe 18 year olds will like the look of it but I suspect there isn't an insurance company on the planet who would quote even if they could afford to buy one! The Golf wears the crown when all is said and done... IMO!

[@SamAbraham]

RomeoIndiaCharlie Yeah I agree. I was excited when the Type R came back to the US, but when I saw it I was a bit disappointed. Either a Golf GTI or a Golf R for me

[@capitan_camote_picante6370]

I’ve seen R26.R wrek modern cars and R-Types on track-days

[@erictko85]

Yeah Please make that one about AWD you mention at the beginning

[@Nakke144]

As i belive Chris Harris said when he drove the mk1 or mk2 Focus RS: "If you can't enjoy a well set-up FWD car it's simple: you can't drive!". On the subject of those cars, i still think the mk2 Focus RS is the greatest hot hatch ever. Looks the business, sounds the best, has endless tuning potential, a fantastic chassis and great fuel consumption. Ok, i lied about that last bit lol

[@supposedly6991]

Definetly agree, fwd hot hatches are awesome.

[@operamatthew]

the r26r will always be very special in any company.

[@Jetbill007]

What was the chassis engineer you referred to had has input to 997 GT3 as well as GTI?

[@augustus8962]

I love that Reno, it's amazing.

[@user-cr5rh9vl4c]

I prefere Fwd hatches over awd!

[@TheSwiftStar]

Симо Будала i don't. ..

[@g00dfeeling]

Renault is the king of this class. Just with for the new model which will be soon introduced.

[@galipvictorsanliturk4865]

A well sorted fwd car is just as fun, in some cases even, more fun to drive than a rwd car.

[@kylem8811]

Give the R26r 306 bhp and it would absolutely destroy both the golf and the civic

[@turbonoz1]

Any idea of the music of the intro ?

[@adambadri6161]

That's a proper GTi ❤️

[@jakepocock1616]

Why not the Megane 275 Trophy R? It's the more modern equivalent of the R26R. It still makes me laugh how people still call it wrong wheel drive. Ferrari F430: 7:55 around the ring. Megane 275 Trophy R : 7:54. So a rear wheel drive car with "racing heritage" was a second slower than a "wrong wheel drive" hatchback. It's quite obvious all of the RWD fanboys. Shocking fact for you, not all people like going full Mustang.

[@JustJooZt]

Jake 250 I see where your coming from but the 430 is old dude, I bet a 488 would murder a Mégane. but who gives a fuck just enjoy the stuff you get to drive

[@Kaisuke971]

I *HOPE* a brand new 230 000€ Ferrari would murder a slightly older 45 000€ Renault otherwise well fuck me where is the money going, up the owner's arse ? Still impressive that in a decade anhatch has been able to beat a Supercar around a huge track like the Nürburgring.

[@v_alexiadis]

Fair's fair. Fit four Cup 2s on an F430 and it'll go at least 10 sec quicker.

[@supraJZA80s]

That, and, you can get plenty of oversteer in a Renault Sport as I have found with my 275R. FWD =/= understeer

[@Nickoboss29]

The Nurburgring isn't the only one track in the world you know right?

[@trykozmaksym]

Same song... but everybody knows the ending - R is for fun, A is for win, F is for those who can't afford A :)

[@richarddutchholland4780]

I just love the comments on here........

[@Dhamz90]

Integra Type R (DC2) vs. Clio 182 Trophy.

[@bingoberra18]

Tough one! Also 205 1.9 GTI vs. Clio Williams

[@mrwick7961]

it isnt subaru sound, why do people say that, the only person that has said it right is chris harris, it is 5 cylinder sound...

[@littlebastard_]

I love r26r

[@matthewschiebout9081]

Good to have the record but not going that extra kilometer shorted the Golfs reign. All that interior fluff and lack of serious lightweighting did it in, along with only similar bhp to the Civic. Too easy a target, with the new Civic scheduled to come out in less than a year for example. Sad it isn't as memorable as the Renault, but they're the best;) as usual!

[@AfterburnerXD]

Matthew Schiebout the new Civic Type R was stripped out specifically for the ring trial was what I heard /:

[@BLITZKRIEG1]

would it bankrupt them to put alcantara on the whole wheel?

[@BLITZKRIEG1]

lol he just said it

[@ethanhatch1835]

The biggest downside with the golf GTi as everyone who saw the Regular Car Reviews video on it - is the stupid single mono speaker behind the firewall making that engine note louder. Even in the video you can tell it's artificial and I feel like that would annoy me in everyday use. One of the best parts of the Mégane is the whistle it makes out of the exhaust that with a simple back box delete you can make sound awesome with some pops and bangs. As a daily the golf has the Mégane creamed for erganometries. But on track, the Mégane will always be the king. As the new r276 has proven beating the civic type R's lap record around the ring

[@lembitd]

Really good. Hope to see more of "old v new".

[@urbanproof96]

Megane R26R is the best hot hatch EVER

[@drasp87]

Is Henry Catchpole the best reviewer in the world right now?

[@TheSkyline35]

Why not using the last generation of the Megane R265 ?

[@kylehargy2749]

What road is this?

[@njs9876]

Hargy 16 A623 Sparrowpit near the Kinder Scout national nature reserve, Derbyshire.

[@stevedwong1346]

U R A Funny Lad U R there Lanky Man :) Cheer's

[@PaddyMcQueen]

FWD are a real driver challenge when pushed on the limit... and this is why I love them ! You have to reset your brain to push a FWD really hard. Keeping full gas to correct oversteer ? Yes please !!! Of corse the RWD is sublime... but both are special indeed! Long live to FWD !

[@cup_and_cone]

took aircon away, but left vents in dash

[@chaflana1]

why not the 275 trophy r' ??

[@supposedly6991]

Gti Clubsport S destroys 275 trophy r in every way.

[@ColinMcray]

To me the best fwd cars are the Honda integra Type R, Ford focus RS mk2 and the Ford fiesta ST

[@rexsong4835]

No air-con has gone too far

[@scotthastings8845]

People remove it all the time on track cars

[@MrPlum1282]

Shame Renault stopped the rs cars. Iconic 👌🏻

[@mituc]

FWD FTW!

[@drj2039]

Why do they call it a film?

Cold AC, radio on , JCW GP 2 weights less than Megane R26R and beats it on any track..

[@webagouk]

Sam Toure: this; My 13 GP is way more fun.

[@Trophy_R]

Daniel Weston I’ve got both, well an R26.R and an R56 JCW, my R26.R is more fun than the mini

[@u04pww2]

Great car im sure the Megane but not worth the price it commands

[@danielvorisek8362]

Hothaches ♥ take your supercars and hypercars, Hothach is the right way to enjoy B-roads

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

i want that new gti so baad!!!!

[@IntrinsicNRJ]

Gavin Free's older brother or cousin?

[@YM-oj6dd]

Gti cs forever ❤

[@antiquevintageretro4u105]

Who is this ?

[@its_EZ]

Aaand that clubsport s laptime just got smashed by a new "vtec kicked in yo"

[@rongambol9910]

Records don't stand forever. Sure as eggs are eggs the Type R will be chasing tail pipes in 6 months - maybe less.

[@ivandoe33]

a bit late. there's a new record owner at ring

[@MrLukas1881]

i happy owner of Megane 1.5 dci that powaaaaa ! :D

[@JLo1960]

juicy. Henry Catchpole is a superb journalist. Covers all aspects of a car relevant to a petroleum and with good humour too!. If you don't like his style, DON'T WATCH!.

[@JLo1960]

Petrolhead

[@Joe-qs9fw]

So know Honda Civic Type R??

[@tadficuscactus]

the clubsport s sounds like a Subaru.

[@maXXik1337]

So you compare current GTI with - almost 2 generations - old megane RS? The fuc*? This should be compared to R.S. 275 Trophy or better with megane 4 R.S. in few months.

[@rongambol9910]

I think you missed the whole point of the video. It wasn't a direct comparison between the two but to find out how much had changed since the Megane ruled the class and how fun you can still have driving a fwd. . Both cars were/are sensational for their time.

[@maXXik1337]

Well, might be. But there is "vs" between these cars, so its fairly confusing.

[@YouThana]

Still wrong wheel drive. But they raise a question, where is the rear wheel drive equivalent? Where is a true M3 CSL competitor? where is a proper successor of the Opel Manta? Something affordable that carries the same spirit as these stripped out cars? Why do all the RWD companies feed us with useless luxury, ridiculous power and automatic transmissions?

[@robertwaffel8248]

Subaru BRZ (and their Toyota/Scion brothers)? Admittedly, not as radical, but the BRZ does carry the spirit of a small, light weight, affordable RWD car, doesn't it?

[@YouThana]

The BRZ does but yet Toyota and Subaru have proven only the drive ability is superb. Everyone was waiting for an STI Version but they left us stranded. I would take bets that a 300HP version with a similar track oriented tires and suspension setup could destroy a GTI CS. Imagine making it even more radical with plexi glass windows and a specially welded chassis like the Civic Type R has. But they are just not doing it.

[@rongambol9910]

Both good cars but an extra 50kw and 100 Nm would turn them both into sensational cars at an affordable price. Can't understand why Toyota and Subaru don;t ramp them up - sure to sell a hell of a lot more of them but typical of conservative Toyota. Guess we should be happy they don't produce them in one of their 50 shades of beige.

[@robertwaffel8248]

Ron Gambol I guess this is where it is up to the enthusiasts to roll up their sleeves, grab the toolbox and get their hands dirty. :-) *modifys away*

[@rongambol9910]

I guess you can do that but I've always been of the opinion that if you want a fast car, you get it direct from the manufacturer where everything, hopefully, such as brakes, suspension and transmission etc. is up to the job. The other thing is I've never been too keen getting my hands dirty on cars. I always get my cars serviced on time and take good care of them but I can honestly say that over the last 7 years and 280,00km, I have only lifted the bonnet two or three times to show the engine to someone who's interested. And apart from that, you wouldn't see Toyota for dust if you had a warranty claim on a modified engine.

[@CAR_NL]

Both cars come nowhere near the "hardcoreness" as the Abarth 695 biposto. Should be in this item.

[@tonymarcella13]

An Integra Type-R is still the best FWD car in my eyes.

[@u04pww2]

Tony Marcella Renault clio williams for me, would love to drive a teg though

[@MiguelGarcia-vj7oo]

Tony Marcella there's a few vintage Alfa Romero and VW's I'd suspect are better.......

[@tonymarcella13]

Miguel Garcia such as?

[@dancecolin393]

intedra type r dc2 is still considered among many car enthusiasts as one of the best fwd as far as driving experience goes

[@joe5boost]

r26r all day because it changed things ! vw held back far too much on that thing they could have made something crazy next level but they pussied it , glad the honda as already put it in its place

[@LuisSantos-ci2ds]

Ask Chris Harris what car he likes most: Type R or Clubsport S ? The Type R is all about lap times, but the Clubsport actually loves to have fun on a side way mode. Watch Chris Harris review.

[@joetacchino4470]

That fake engine noise in the VW is horrific. Henry, how could you fall for it?!?! Thank goodness it's easy to disconnect.

[@juiceandmeat]

When will you test some cars, that people can actually buy? (like the leon cupra 300, peugeot 308gti or type-r for that matter)

[@Malc180s]

Hopefully never - bland and boring cars for the poor.

[@Malc180s]

On track any comparison is irrelevant - they're road cars.

[@juiceandmeat]

Malc180s tell me genius, how are they not comparable anywhere at all apart from those 2 not having back seats.

[@Montster131]

You mean cars like these?

[@volkswizard]

Loads for sale nearly new

[@madpadi]

👍 You can't beat Peak District roads as long as Derbyshire's police are busy dealing with other real criminals!

[@bingoberra18]

205 gti

[@brentonappleby9836]

Dude, that noise you're hearing is artificial, surely you should be aware of that?

[@AaronShenghao]

I don't like the Megane's rear... just saying. So I may buy a VW Golf instead

[@mro9466]

great cars, fast, practical, engaging ... but still wrong wheel drive :D if you can't powerslide, then its worthless. i'd take a 318i e30 over both :D

[@gaycha6589]

M RO - then we'll get a pint in for you, whilst we wait in the bar, for you to be able to pass that tdci Mondeo back on the road ?

[@mro9466]

drift > speed without drift :p

[@Fi1del]

Wow renault copied the shit out of the suzuki swifts rear design.

[@PedroFTeixeira]

never liked how that generation of Mégane looked, and looking at it now... damn that was an ugly rear. front was ok.

[@knowyourroleRocky]

Pedro Teixeira i completely disagree. at the time perhaps but that's only because renault is often too futuristic like in this case. i think it has aged so well!

[@Fi1del]

Pedro Teixeira absolutely shit. I agree, plus looks like its got heeeaaavy design cues from the suzuki swifts rear

[@meshuggah18]

I had a clio 172 cup, my brother offered his R26 to me which seemed like a natural step. At first I was hesitant, hated the rear and loved the front..but I bought it anyway. Now after a few years ownership the rear end has grown on me, (literally, fat ass bitch!) especially with a .R spoiler and aftermarket exhaust which finishes it off nicely.

[@knowyourroleRocky]

The renault design of that time was ahead of its time. That's what I'm saying. This one and the Avantime are proof. (The clue is even in the Avantime's name) They both look better a few years after and more in the right place than when they were new and the current Renault design is quite similar in the way it looked weird at first and grew on me very quickly. That's french design for you. Anyone can do what the Germans do which is never experimenting, just using what has been shown to work for others in terms of design.

[@madmick3794]

Oh dear god I hate Golfs, horrible little things. In this comparo I would take the Renault any day.

[@rodrigopandocairo4949]

Not hot hatches at all..... they are track toys

[@blarkdexture8899]

Hi me Im shmee hi

[@turbod15]

fk2 better

[@HuevoDuro702]

In Murica theirs no such thing as a Renault

[@alfamonk]

so what?

[@TheSlothofDOOM]

that little clubsport is wayyyy too expensive

[@Maurice_Moss]

For the price of the golf you could have a bmw m240i which is right wheel drive

[@diavo009]

the fake in cabin sound of the vw is horrible!

[@rongambol9910]

I think Henry may disagree with you on that.

[@nagmashot]

the Clubsport S has no fake tube cabin sound they deleted it for weight reasons

[@VVH1997]

i does have it, i own a S and it does create a engine sound with a "sounddaktor" i turned it of but its there

[@user-hy9ph9nm2w]

Megane everyday instead of choosing boring and awful vw,a brand with no history,the worst thing in automotive industry and autosport...

[@TheDaemon66]

Сеиду Тунтулеле VW: which engineers the most successful Le Mans cars, most successful GT race cars(Porsche and Audi) and by and large the most successful manufacturer ever.

[@user-hy9ph9nm2w]

Dont compare autosport now and in golden era 80s,90s...PORSCHE IS PORSCHE not vw,and yes porsche is best german car.vw makes just silly city cars and that's all,no soul.so overrated cars...If buying other brands and owning it is what makes history,than...vw buyed lamborgini,so is lamborgini vw - NO it isnt,Lamborgini fabric is still in Italy,on Lamborgini cars works Lamborgini engineers,designers...Even audi got huracan/gallardo engine in R8,depends on version.

[@user-hy9ph9nm2w]

There is no correct arguments to make vw brand with rich history,passion and similar.And there is no true petrolhead,car enthusiast that drives an volkswagen,except beetle,karman ghia and eventually mk1 golf gti.vw is car for people who want transport from A to B,there is nothing that makes vw a "drivers car"

[@TheDaemon66]

Сеиду Тунтулеле I will disagree. LAmborghini uses an Audi engine. Lamborghini is now just a bastardized Audi. When the gallardo first came out it was different but not anymore. VW designs most of the chassis for all of its brands. Sorry but VW has a rich Motorsport history especially when it comes to hatch racing. And have you seen what the most popular car to use in amateur racing is? VW golf/polo.

[@user-hy9ph9nm2w]

Yeah lamborghini isnt what it was...vw have rich motorsport history ? Sorry,but that is just funny.And vw hatchs is always on the last place in class,in performance for sure,in pleasure of driving too.vw have TCR wins today and polo wins wrc.Thats just sad where motorsport comes...