Automotive

Stripped-back Renault Megane sets new Nürburgring record

Stripped-back Renault Megane sets new Nürburgring record
Renault's Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R set a new Nurburgring lap record for front drive cars
Renault's Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R set a new Nurburgring lap record for front drive cars
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The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
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The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
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The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
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The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
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The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
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The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
Renault's new Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R
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Renault's new Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R
Renault's new Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R
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Renault's new Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R
Renault's new Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R
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Renault's new Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R
Red decals are a part of the Trophy-R treatment
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Red decals are a part of the Trophy-R treatment
Renault's new Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R
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Renault's new Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R
Red decals are a part of the Trophy-R treatment
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Red decals are a part of the Trophy-R treatment
Red decals are a part of the Trophy-R treatment
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Red decals are a part of the Trophy-R treatment
The new R.S 275 features a titanium Akrapovich exhaust system
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The new R.S 275 features a titanium Akrapovich exhaust system
Renault's new Trophy-R with its previous Nürburgring record holders
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Renault's new Trophy-R with its previous Nürburgring record holders
Renault's Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R set a new Nurburgring lap record for front drive cars
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Renault's Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R set a new Nurburgring lap record for front drive cars
Renault's Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R set a new Nurburgring lap record for front drive cars
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Renault's Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R set a new Nurburgring lap record for front drive cars
The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
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The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
View gallery - 17 images

Renault is king of the hot hatches once again, after its Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R shaved four seconds from the Nürburgring lap record for two wheel-drive production vehicles previously held by the Seat Leon Cupra 280. Renault achieved its record north loop lap time of 7:54.36 by putting the Megane R.S. on a strict diet, and bumping up its power output.

The 275 Trophy-R is a stripped back, two-seater version of the regular Megane R.S. 275. The driver and passenger sit in polycarbonate Recaro Pōle Position buckets, with the option for a full six point racing harness to keep them in place. This minimalist seating arrangement, combined with other weight saving tweaks like the use of a lithium-ion battery add up to a car that's 100 kg (220 lb) lighter than the standard model.

If the name didn't give it away, the Megane R.S. 275 sports 275 bhp, a gain of 10 over the old (equally as inventively named) R.S. 265. The extra power comes from changes to the ECU tuning and a new titanium Akrapovich exhaust system, which also shaves a further 18 kg off the weight.

The new R.S 275 features a titanium Akrapovich exhaust system
The new R.S 275 features a titanium Akrapovich exhaust system

The Trophy-R is based on Renault's Cup chassis and uses a limited slip differential. It's fitted with one-way adjustable Ohlins Road and Track dampers, which can be lowered for track work, and sits on 19 inch wheels shod in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

To top the whole package off, the standard Megane's brakes have been upgraded with 350/28-diameter steel and aluminum discs, which save a further 3 kg and are also better suited to track work.

The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring
The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R in action at the Nürburgring

If you're the sort of person who is willing to pay a premium for a track special, Renault is assuming you want the world to know, so it comes standard with red or black wheels, a black roof and red decals on the outside of the car.

Renault is promising to build 250 Trophy-R's to celebrate its success at the Nürburgring.

Renault's video of the record breaking lap is below.

Source: Renault

Renault Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R 2014 Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record (full version) #UNDER8

View gallery - 17 images
2 comments
2 comments
Ian Mitko
7:54 is really the record for 2 wheel drive production vehicles? I thought there were a lot of two wheel drive cars that finished much faster than that.
estelja
They are referring to FRONT wheel drive vehicles.