Renault Megane RS Trophy-R
Over the last 15 years, the Megane-based Renault Sport versions have set the hot hatch standard for ultimate performance and driving thrills. In that time the most radical versions of the Megane RS have successively beaten the front-wheel drive production car lap record for the hugely challenging Nürburgring, a circuit that's recognised around the world as the ultimate proving ground for a car's performance.
The New Renault Megane RS Trophy-R is no exception, setting a new record of 7 minutes 40.1 seconds around the tortuous track famously known as the 'Green Hell'. Yet unlike competitors that simply focus on delivering ever higher power outputs, the engineers at Renault Sport have concentrated on three distinct performance pillars: weight reduction, the maximisation of aerodynamic efficiency and more radical suspension systems. This approach is a Renault Sport trademark, an approach that priorities speed through the corners rather than outright performance in a straight line.
Featuring an impressive weight reduction of 130kg, a totally redesigned suspension set-up and modified aerodynamics the New Megane RS Trophy-R is the most extreme Renault Sport model yet. It also boasts some innovations that are normally the preserve of high end supercars, such as the optional carbon ceramic brakes and carbon fibre wheels. And in its pursuit of undiluted driving pleasure it removes items such as the rear seats, while the composite Sabelt seats can be ordered with six-point racing harnesses - this is a car that puts the driver front and centre.
Identified by its unique mother-of-pearl paint finish and red highlights (front blade, side stripes, double lateral diamonds graphics and the spokes of the Fuji-Light wheels), its Trophy-R monograms, its carbon components in the bonnet and rear diffuse and its "shark fin" aerial. Inside, the racing atmosphere is underlined by the Alcantara® racing seats, a material that also adorns the racing steering wheel and handbrake lever. A numbered plaque on the door sill emphasizes the exclusiveness of this limited production model.
Of course, New Renault Megane RS Trophy-R is also a car developed using Renault Sport's extensive motorsport expertise. As a result, the New Megane RS Trophy-R is a hot hatch ready for the racetrack. With greater traction, speed through corners and braking endurance, it is capable of bringing intense pleasure to expert drivers that want to make the most of its incredible potential. Such is the level of the Megane RS Trophy-R that it can easily compete with models that feature four-wheel drive and well in excess of 300 bhp.
This exceptional car will be made available as a limited series of just 500 numbered vehicles globally.
The New Renault Megane RS Trophy-R benefits from a truly remarkable weight reduction of 130kg, when configured with its lightest equipment and compared to the standard Trophy version without options. As a result it tips the scales at just 1,306 kg, representing a power to weight ratio of 230 PS/per ton compared to 209 PS/per ton for the Trophy, despite both sharing the same impressive 300 PS turbocharged 1.8-litre engine. As a result, the 0-62mph sprint now takes just 5.4 seconds - a full three-tenths faster than the Trophy.
This incredible reduction in mass is achieved in a number of ways, each one designed with the expressed intention of squeezing more performance from an already potent package. For instance, the exterior and mechanicals of the New Megane RS Trophy-R benefit from the following enhancements:
The inside of the New Megane RS Trophy-R hasn't escaped the engineers' forensic pursuit of weight-saving. Almost the entire interior has been reworked in an effort to minimise mass and increase performance, with the following changes:
With the same engine power as the standard Trophy, the New Megane RS Trophy-R has been developed to deliver its increased performance through the corners. Not only has the axle geometry been revised to increase speed through the bends and traction on the exit, there are also many options for fine-tuning adjustments by the driver, essentially making the new New Renault Megane RS Trophy-R a true racing car for the road. In their pursuit of maximum suspension performance on road and track Renault Sport's engineers have undertaken the following changes:
As with the rest of the car, the aerodynamic performance of the New Megane RS Trophy-R was put under the microscope. Any design choices made were done so with the sole aim of optimising performance. As a result, engineers were able to deliver greater front and rear downforce while limiting aerodynamic drag. All changes made were verified both using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and results gained in the wind tunnel.
At the front the New Megane RS Trophy-R benefits from a new bonnet with NACA intake, which combines with a similar vent under the engine to improve the air flow by seven percent and optimise cooling of the engine compartment during extreme hard driving. When at a standstill the new lateral louvres set into the bonnet work in combination with the NACA duct to provide a natural escape for engine heat build-up.
The bottom blade under the front bumper has been also been redesigned to provide better aerodynamic balance between the front and rear, while the new fairings under the front bumper and under the floor smooth air flow to optimise supply to the rear diffuser.
This entirely carbon fibre rear diffuser is equipped with thinner, F1-type curved blades that feature an even larger effective surface area in the central section in particular. Furthermore, the twin exit Akrapovi titanium exhaust features tailpipes that are cut to follow the profile of the diffuser, helping to minimise any disruption in the central airstream. By maximising the airflow in this way engineers have delivered increased downforce compared to the Megane RS Trophy. achieve this same objective,
A further enhancement is the optional dynamic air intake that replaces the R.S. Vision driving lamps, normally set low in the front bumper, which helps lower air intake temperatures. Available as an accessory is a ducting pipe that extends this intake straight into the engine air filter unit.
On top of all this, new brake scoops double the air flow to the front discs, further improving braking endurance in severe conditions.
Given the high specific power rating already achieved by the the Megane RS Trophy's MR18 engine (with 300 PS it delivers an extremely impressive 167 PS per litre), Renault Sport concluded that it had more than enough performance for the lighter and even more focused New Renault Megane RS Trophy-R.
To recap, however, the 1.8-litre direct injection turbo four-cylinder unit develops 300 PS at 6,000 rpm and delivers a muscular of 400 Nm of torque. Its turbocharger makes use of a technology originating directly from Formula 1, the ceramic ball bearing coating both reducing response time and easily coping with the heat and stresses of spinning at up to 200,000rpm.
Underlining the unit's robustness is the fact that it was chosen by Renault Sport Racing as the basis for the engine used in the latest generation of Formula Renault single seat racer used in the demanding Formula Renault Eurocup championship.
Renault Sport engineers chose the six-speed manual gearbox for the New Megane RS Trophy-Ras it is lighter than the dual clutch EDC transmission, plus it is more in keeping with the car's focus on expert drivers.
In combination with the significant weight-savings the new engine delivers impressive performance:
Furthermore, the engine is equipped with a petrol particle filter and meets the Euro 6d temp standards.
Like its predecessors the Megane RS R26.R and Megane RS 275 Trophy-R, the New Megane RS Trophy-R is set to be a rare and exclusive car. It appeals to the most demanding type of Renault Sport customers, who seeks the most sophisticated and engaging handling, and is motivated above all by performance.
As a result, the New Renault Megane RS Trophy-R will be launched as a limited series of 500 numbered vehicles globally, with France, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Japan being the main markets.
Of the 500 examples globally, 30 will be ultra exclusive versions that feature the following options:
The remaining 470 examples can be specified with a range of options aimed at further improving the already extreme performance of the New Megane RS Trophy-R:
