In an interview with Romanian publication Automarket this past weekend following the launch of the new Megane RS at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Patrice Ratti said while an RS version of the Captur or Kadjar "is not forbidden, we will not do it if we don't [get approval].".
"Every time Renault launches a new car, we as Renault Sport ask ourselves whether it is suitable for such a change. We need to build a business case, then we need to get the development budget, and those steps take time. I do not think we will ever develop a RS MPV, for example. But an SUV, sedan or hatchback? Why not?," Ratti said.
He also stated that focus has already shifted to the next generation Megane RS, which will feature electrification of sorts, but not necessarily with both an petrol and electric engines like a traditional hybrid.
"All cars in the future will get a certain level of electrification. So this is probably the last Megane RS that [will] offers a classic petrol engine. However, this does not mean that the next generation will have both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. There are many possibilities to do this, and the mild-hybrid [setup] is one of them".
Patti also confirmed previous speculations that a more powerful RS Trophy version with 300 horsepower (224 kW) will debut sometime next year, although he declined to comment which transmission will be used. He also hinted that while the standard RS was designed to be front-wheel drive from the start, an all-wheel drive setup is "technically possible".
The new Megane RS is expected to make its local debut sometime next year.
