Renault unveils an even hotter version of Mégane R.S..
- With a power output of 265hp and peak torque of 360Nm, Mégane R.S. Trophy delivers unrivalled efficiency for its class. A new tyre fitment and an increase in power make the very most of the Cup chassis’ potential, without detracting from the car’s acclaimed versatility and ride comfort.
- A production run of 500 cars is planned, and Mégane R.S. Trophy’s specific styling features put it at the very top of the Mégane R.S. range.
- Order books open on June 20, 2011, and the newcomer will be marketed in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Prices in France will start from €35,500.
Technical evolutions for the existing, exceptional performance package
With maximum power of 265hp (up 15hp), peak torque of 360Nm (+20Nm) available across a particularly broad rev-band (3,000 to 5,000rpm), a power-to-weight ratio of 5.09kg/hp and specific power of 132.5hp/litre, the car boasts an exceptional performance package. Even so, Renault Sport’s engineers have worked hard on the specification of the Mégane R.S.’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to take driving enjoyment and response to even higher levels. Maximum turbo pressure has been uprated to 2.5 bar (up 0.2 bar), while the air intake design has been revised to take the higher pressure and higher running temperatures into account.
Performance has been enhanced in the process, and the result is a 0-to-100kph time of just 6.0s (down 0.1s), a top speed of 254kph (up 4kph) and the 1,000m standing start in 25.4s (down 0.3s). Beyond these statistics, however, the experience of driving Mégane R.S. Trophy is a constant source of enjoyment and satisfying sensations. In addition to the finely-tuned set-up of the Cup chassis and the standard limited slip differential, a new tyre fitment contributes to the car’s exceptional road-holding on dry roads, especially through tighter turns, as well as in the wet. The design of the Formula 1-inspired Bridgestone Potenza RE050A’s asymmetric, directional tread pattern and the form of its tread blocks provide outstanding grip, stability and acoustic comfort, whatever the conditions. Last but not least, Mégane R.S. Trophy’s fuel-efficiency has been carefully optimised to return combined-cycle fuel consumption of just 8.2 litres/100km, equivalent to 190g of CO2/km, which represents a saving of 0.2 litres/100km and 5g/km over Mégane R.S. at the time of the latter’s launch.
Assertive yet seductive R.S. styling cues
Mégane R.S. Trophy is recognisable at a glance thanks to its black roof, specific decals, new rear lip spoiler, 19-inch Gloss Black STEEV wheels with red piping and R.S. valve caps (optional or standard, depending on market) and numbered plaque. The LED daytime running lights also play a part in its striking looks. Mégane R.S. Trophy marks the introduction of a new Sirius Yellow finish, an emblematic metallic paint that will be particularly appreciated by Renault Sport fans. This specific body colour is available as an alternative to Glacier White, Etoilé Black and Cassiopée Grey.
Inside, the Recaro bucket seats (fabric or leather, depending on market) add to the cabin’s unmistakably sporty feel, as does the central display which shows the data provided by the R.S. Monitor. This innovative onboard data-logging system records performance and displays a range of mechanical parameters in real-time, a feature which owners will especially appreciate during track days, an exercise to which the Mégane R.S. Trophy lends itself particularly well. Indeed, the car will be on show at the Renault Sport Day which forms part of the Renault Sport Enthusiasts Day programme at the Nürburgring, Germany, on June 17, 2011.
RENAULT LAUNCHES ITS FASTEST ROAD CAR YET WITH NEW LIMITED EDITION
- Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy – fastest ever roadgoing Renault revealed ahead of world debut at World Series by Renault, Nurburgring next weekend
- 15hp more than current Mégane Renaultsport 250, plus 20Nm extra torque at 360Nm. Power-to-weight ratio of 191hp per tonne
- Improved performance statistics of 0-62mph in 6 seconds exactly (instead of 6.1), and top speed 158 mph (up from 156)
- High-performance Formula 1-inspired Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres for greater traction in both dry and wet conditions
- Exclusivity guaranteed through limited production run of only 500 examples worldwide, 50 of which destined for UK
- High level of core equipment: Cup chassis, Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts and detailing, 19″ Speedline alloys in gloss black with red rim, standard Liquid Yellow i.d. metallic paint,
- ‘Trophy’ red decals on F1-style front blade and doors, LED daytime running lights, Renaultsport Monitor on-board performance tracking, UK numbered plaque
- Single option: £415 gloss Renault i.d. Diamond Black roof
- Free access to all Renaultsport trackdays in UK in 2012, worth circa £650
- Priced in UK at £27,820 OTR
- Orders open 20th June, first deliveries end July
Ahead of its world debut next weekend at the World Series by Renault, Nurburgring meeting in Germany, the French marque has unveiled its fastest ever road car, the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy.
Priced in the UK at £27,820 on-the-road, the new Mégane Renaultsport flagship arrives ready to take the fight to its VW Group rivals, including the Golf and Scirocco R stablemates, with a 15hp hike on the current Mégane Renaultsport, plus an extra 20Nm torque.
Naturally, as a result of its greater power compared to the standard 250hp versions, it boasts improved performance statistics. The newcomer dispatches 0-62mph in six seconds exactly (instead of 6.1), with a top speed of 158 mph, up by an extra 2mph. In everyday driving, its 360Nm is usefully available across a broad rev band between 3,000 and 5,000rpm. Its impressive power-to-weight ratio is 191hp per tonne.
To achieve these gains, Renaultsport’s wizardry has seen the engine’s maximum turbo pressure uprated to 2.5 bar, up by 0.2, together with the air intake being revised to take account of the higher pressure and running temperatures.
In the UK, the latest addition comes based on the Cup chassis version, but also adds, unsurprisingly, even more core equipment, including Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts and detailing, Renaultsport Monitor on-board performance tracking and a UK numbered plaque. In keeping with its focused nature, there is just a single option, a gloss Renault i.d. Diamond Black roof at £415.
As part of its enticing price, new owners of the 265 Trophy also gain free access to the full 2012 Renaultsport UK trackday calendar, worth around £650, giving them the opportunity to revel in the track-bred qualities of the ultimate roadgoing Mégane Renaultsport around some of the country’s finest circuits, including Brands Hatch and Silverstone.
In keeping with its enticing performance, the 265 Trophy boasts distinctive looks. In the rare moments when it is being driven sedately enough to be glimpsed, the top-of-the-range Mégane Renaultsport will be instantly recognisable through its striking combination of gloss black 19″ Speedline alloys with red rim, high-performance Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres, ‘Trophy’ red decals on the F1-style front blade and doors, and LED daytime running lights. Adding to its sense of visual drama, the 265 Trophy welcomes the return of Liquid Yellow i.d. metallic paint, reborn from its original use on the Clio Renaultsport 182 and V6 255, and latterly on the R26 and R26.R. Black metallic paint is the only other colour available, which, set off by red highlights on the car’s decals and alloy wheels, is likely to be sought after by for those seeking one of the most menacing, stealth-like hot hatches around.
In its reinforced armoury, the newcomer also features new Formula 1-inspired high-performance Bridgestone Potenza RE050A as seen on a plethora of the world’s finest sports cars and supercars. Their asymmetric, directional tread pattern and the form of its tread blocks provide outstanding grip, stability and acoustic comfort, regardless of conditions. Indeed, the outer part of the tread is similar to racing ‘slicks’, while the inner section is modeled on F1 wet-weather tyres.
Elsewhere, the new 265 Trophy retains the essence of the Mégane Renaultsport’s award-winning recipe, including the critically acclaimed Cup chassis (stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar and grooved brake discs), mechanical limited slip differential, Brembo brakes, as well as the innovative PerfoHub independent steering axis front suspension set-up, which virtually eliminates torque steer.
- The new Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy is available to order from 20th June, priced £27,820 on-the-road, with first deliveries in late July 2011. In addition to aggressive pricing, exclusivity is assured for the flagship Mégane, through a limited production run of only 500 examples worldwide, 50 of which are destined for the UK.
- Mégane Renaultsport: 10,000 sold in 40 countries since 2010
- Mégane Renaultsport is the best-selling hot hatch in both France and Spain, as well as one of the top three in Europe, accounting for 15% of total Mégane Coupé sales. It continues to attract media plaudits and is the current What Car? Best Hot Hatch.
