Renault has officially unveiled its new flagship hot hatch, the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R. And what a way to do it, by also announcing that the Trophy-R is now the fastest front-wheel-drive production car around the Nurburgring – a title that the current FK8 Honda Civic Type R wears with pride.
The deed was done on April 5 this year by seasoned Trophy-R driver-builder Laurent Hurgon. The new Megane RS Trophy-R set a 7:40.100 time on the Nordschleife 20.6 km lap, and a 7:45.389 reference time on the official whole lap of 20.832 km, Renault claims. The deposed Japanese “FWD King of the Ring” did it in 7:43.80 in 2017, toppling the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S‘ 7:47.19 time then.
The Megane RS Trophy-R carries over the RS Trophy’s 1.8 litre turbo-four with 300 PS and 420 Nm of torque (with the six-speed EDC dual-clutch auto, six-speed manual gets 400 Nm), which is already up from the regular Megane RS‘ 280 PS and 390 Nm.
Instead of adding power, the record breaker’s greater performance over the Trophy is derived from weight reduction (by up to 130 kg), reworked aerodynamics and “a more radical development of its drive axles.” That’s the same ethos as the previous-generation RS 275 Trophy-R, which was once the holder of this ‘Ring record.
Renault Sport did not reveal other technical details other than naming its partners – Akrapovic for the exhaust system, Brembo for the brakes, Bridgestone for the tyres, Ohlins for the shock absorbers and Sabelt for the bucket seats. The hardcore Megane RS Trophy-R will hit showrooms before the end of 2019, as a limited edition of a few hundred units.
The standard Renault Megane RS was previewed in Malaysia last month, with order books open for deliveries in mid-2019. The good news is that we get the Cup chassis in both EDC auto and manual, priced at RM299,888 (estimated) and RM279,888 (confirmed) on-the-road without insurance, respectively. Full details, local specs and gallery here.
GALLERY: Renault Megane RS 280 Cup in Malaysia
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Abesla Ah Beng Ketam! Got eaten by French Snails!
Nurburgring. Myvi rule the autobahn here n there.
A stellar example of what weight reduction can do.
“The standard Renault Megane RS was previewed in Malaysia last month”. Nah. I will wait for Trophy R then.
You definitely won’t be driving it on the streets. Have you seen the stripped out interior lolol
The noise-dampening materials are removed as well so NVH must be almost unbearable for daily use. Basically, it’s a racer with a number plate.
Refreshing to see a car that uses better aerodynamics to go faster, rather than relying on “ah-beng” spoilers like the Honda.
The “overdesign” of newer Jap cars are becoming too much.
I think you mean ‘mechanical grip’ rather than aerodynamics here. Personally taste is subjective and I like the looks of the CTR.
u mean like stripping all thing to get faster?
If Ketam R go through the so called ‘weight reduction’ surely will beat the trophy r.
Now Honda can do another version called Ketam Type RS to retake the title… lol
at last,the rightful King is back!
its amazing what french manufacturers do with weight saving…the 208 1.2 only weights 1.1 ton…light and zippy and really easy to throw into corners…
Type R is probably more handsome than this overpriced limited edition of unreliable car.
Type R fanboys must be fuming now…..
Good car but the engine looks so messy