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AMegane 4vsB4Petrol
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsMegane 4 · 4

Renault Megane 4 RS 280 vs DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2018 vs 2021 · Methodology
RenaultPetrolFaster

Megane 4 RS 280

280 hp · 390 Nm · 1,450 kg · 2018

VS
DSPetrol

4 PureTech 225 EAT8

228 hp · 300 Nm · 1,480 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ARenault Megane 4 RS 280

5.80 s

Gap1.96 sin favour of Megane 4 RS 280
BDS4 PureTech 225 EAT8

7.76 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureMegane 4 RS 2804 PureTech 225 EAT8Gap
0–100 km/h5.80 s7.76 s1.96 s · Megane 4 RS 280
400 m standing start13.87 s15.61 s1.74 s · Megane 4 RS 280
1,000 m standing start24.70 s27.41 s2.71 s · Megane 4 RS 280
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h245 km/h5 km/h · Megane 4 RS 280
Power-to-weight ratio5.18 kg/hp6.49 kg/hpbetter ratio · Megane 4 RS 280

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

RenaultPetrolMegane 4 RS 280
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
DSPetrol4 PureTech 225 EAT8
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageMegane 4 RS 2804 PureTech 225 EAT8
0–30 km/h1.67 s2.26 s
0–50 km/h2.79 s3.79 s
0–80 km/h4.37 s5.98 s
0–100 km/h5.80 s7.76 s
0–120 km/h7.41 s9.81 s
0–160 km/h11.96 s15.84 s
0–200 km/h19.08 s26.53 s
400 m standing start13.87 s15.61 s
1,000 m standing start24.70 s27.41 s
Top speed limited250 km/h245 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Renault

Megane 4 RS 280

5,18kg/hpratio better by 1,31 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power280 hpI4
Torque390 Nm
Weight1 450 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxEDC 6-speed (dual clutch)
DS

4 PureTech 225 EAT8

6,49kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power228 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 480 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed automatic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Megane 4 RS 280 hits 100 km/h in 5.80 s versus 7.76 s for the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8. At this point, the Megane 4 RS 280 leads by 1.96 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 is doing 138 km/h against 126 km/h for the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8. The gap is 1.32 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Megane 4 RS 280 crosses the line in 13.86 s versus 15.61 s. The 1.74 s gap represents roughly 74 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 194 km/h versus 178 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 finishes in 24.70 s versus 27.41 s, with a 2.71 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 245 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Megane 4 RS 280 never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.18 kg/hp vs 6.49 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.04 seconds. The 1.96 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Megane 4 RS 280
BMW 125i
Instead of 4 PureTech 225 EAT8
Ford Focus ST 280Peugeot 308 GTi 270BMW 128ti

Other duels you might be interested in

FordVSRenault

Focus ST 280 vs Megane 4 RS 280

VolkswagenVSDS4

Golf 7.5 GTI Performance vs PureTech 225 EAT8

RenaultVSPeugeot

Megane 4 RS 280 vs 308 GTi 270

BMWVSDS4

225i xDrive vs PureTech 225 EAT8

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Megane 4 RS 280 wins (5,80 s vs 7,76 s).

Megane 4 RS 280 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,80 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Megane 4 RS 280: 280 hp, ratio 5,18 kg/hp. 4 PureTech 225 EAT8: 228 hp, ratio 6,49 kg/hp.

Megane 4 RS 280: 250 km/h. 4 PureTech 225 EAT8: 245 km/h.