Renault will launch an even faster version of its new Mégane RS hot hatch, the Trophy 300, later this year, with the intention of stealing the front-wheel-drive Nürburgring lap record from the Honda Civic Type R.
Due to be revealed at the Paris motor show in October, Renault’s new hottest model will use a ramped-up version of the Mégane RS's turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine to produce 296bhp and 295lb ft of torque.
Those gains, which are 20bhp and 7lb ft over the standard Mégane RS, should push the Trophy's 0-62mph time below 5.8sec. This would make it quicker off the mark than its more potent rivals, the Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S, which are the current and former Nürburgring front-wheel-drive lap champions.
Renault Sport boss Patrice Ratti confirmed to Autocar at an advanced unveiling of the latest RS hot hatch last year that the Trophy would retain the manual and EDC gearbox choices of the regular car. It’ll get the sharper Cup chassis and lightweight 19in wheels bolted to aluminium wheel hubs in order to reduce unsprung mass.
A Nürburgring lap record attempt could take place before or soon after the car’s expected debut in October.
Ratti previously said that while outright performance ranks second to driver enjoyment in the new Mégane RS, “an RS Trophy car is already looking very interesting”.
“As long as we can make the car faster and still comply with the regulations, we will try to break some records,” he said.
Renault Sport’s impact on the standard hot Mégane’s design was fairly restrained compared to rivals, such as the lairy-looking Civic. It’s possible that the Trophy’s body could be injected with more muscle to illustrate its higher state of tune, although the only obvious modification that has been spotted on a test car is a new vent in the bonnet.
However, if the car is to challenge for a Nürburgring record, some aerodynamic enhancements are likely to be made. The Civic Type R produces up to 30kg of downforce thanks to its large rear wing, so for the Mégane RS to challenge its 7min 43.8sec lap time, we can expect Renault Sport to enhance the effectiveness of the front spoiler and rear diffuser at the very least.
The Mégane RS’s performance evolution won’t end with the Trophy – a new Trophy-R version is also due. That model will ditch the rear seats and gain bucket seats in the front. There could also be less sound deadening, Alcantara wrap for the steering wheel and an exterior decal kit to match.
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