What's all this about?
If you want to own a little bit of history, you'd better get yourself off to Dundee.
Are you having an Alan Partridge-like mental breakdown? Will I need Toblerone?
No, you clown! The last-ever MkIII Renault Sport Megane is being sold at the Scottish city's Arnold Clark dealership. And take lots of money with you, because the car in question is only 70 quid shy of £32,000.
Wow! Why's that, then?
It's a 275 Cup-S model in iconic Liquid Yellow paint (£1,300) and it's replete with a load of choice options. Of the 30,000-plus MkIII RS Meganes built since 2009, this one rolled off the production line in Palencia, Spain, on July 6th, 2016.
Why are we getting the last Megane RS, instead of France?
Well, Jeremy Townsend, Renault UK's communications director, said: "The Megane Renault Sport has proved popular with critics and owners alike since launch for its focused nature and involving driving experience. The UK is one of the biggest markets in the world for Renault Sport models so it's fitting that the last ever third-generation Megane RS should end up here."
OK, so what is this bookend of RS history packing?
Aside from the standard Cup-S specification - including the firmer Cup chassis, PerfoHub double-axis front suspension, a mechanical limited-slip diff, red Brembo four-pot brakes and the RS Cup interior - the last hot Megane has 19-inch Speedline alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, Öhlins Road & Track adjustable dampers, an Alcantara steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake, Recaro seats with Carbon Grey leather upholstery, a hands-free key card, the RS Monitor V2 with on-board data-logging, and the R-Link multimedia system including satnav. That little lot, plus the yellow paint job, tots up to £7,995 of options, taking the car's list price from £23,935 to £31,930. But at least it should be an epic machine on track.
Can you remind me of the performance?
The Megane RS Cup-S has a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four making 275hp, enough for 0-62mph in six seconds dead and a 158mph top speed. That means it's still one of the very quickest C-segment, two-wheel drive hot hatches out there, despite the fact it is seven years old.
How long do you think it will be in the Scottish showroom?
Not long at all, a view confirmed by David Munton, the Renault franchise manager for the area, who said: "It's great to have the final third-generation Megane Renault Sport to ever be produced in our showroom. As a long-time Renault dealer, we know first-hand that Renault Sport fans are passionate about the brand, so we doubt this special Megane will stay in the showroom for very long."
And does all this lead to a MkIV RS announcement?
Not as such, although Renault does say that details on the fourth-gen Megane RS will be forthcoming in the near future. We can't wait to find out the full story on that machine.
Matt Robinson - 23 Aug 2016