French hot hatch resets fastest front-drive lap time
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The French have stamped their authority as the makers of the world's best hot hatch: the latest Renault Megane RS has beaten its own Nurburgring lap record.
The limited edition Trophy model lapped the 20km circuit in Germany in 8 minutes and 07.97 seconds – the fastest time ever recorded for a front-drive production car games.
The result puts the Megane ahead of the BMW 1 Series M and Cayman S and just behind the modified Subaru Impreza WRX STI that posted a time of 8 minutes 06 seconds last year.
Renault development driver Laurent Hurgon stopped the clocks 9 seconds quicker than the previous front-drive record set three years ago -- almost to the day -- in a lightweight edition of the previous generation Renault Megane, the R26.R.
The latest lap time is all the more remarkable when you consider the Megane RS Trophy weighs 1393kg and whereas the R26.R weighed just 1230kg.
However, the Megane RS Trophy has more power (195kW or 265hp) than the R26.R (165kW or 222hp) from its similar 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.
This equates to 139kW per tonne for the Renault Megane RS Trophy compared to 134kW per tonne for the R26.R.
The latest Megane RS Trophy lapped the Nurburgring on proper road tyres (Bridgestone RE050A, the same rubber used on HSVs, Porsches and other performance cars) whereas the R26.R used in 2008 came with Toyo semi-slick road-racing rubber.
If Renault can slash another 9 seconds from the lap time in another 3 years – especially once it fits a fast-shifting twin-clutch transmission instead of the current stick shift – then perhaps the Megane RS could break the 8 minute barrier in 2014.
Renault used the June 17 2011 record attempt to promote its new limited edition model which comes with slightly more power (from 184kW to 195kW) and torque (from 340Nm to 360Nm), lower suspension and the aforementioned Bridgestone tyres (instead of Michelins).
It is not clear whether the vehicle used was in showroom condition, or if the suspension and its geometry were modified, as was the case with the Subaru WRX STI narrowly ahead of it on the timesheets.
Just 500 of the new Megane Trophy editions are being built – none are confirmed for Australia.
Renault has form when it comes to limited editions of its hottest models: Australia also missed out on the Megane R26.R, which was released in late 2008.
Just 450 of those vehicles were (hand)made, with 230 in right-hand-drive for the UK market. It was based on Mégane RenaultSport 230 F1 Team R26, but was 123 kg lighter thanks to the removal of rear seats and seat belts, passenger airbag and curtain airbags (the driver's airbag remained), climate control (although air conditioning was standard), rear wash/wipe and heated rear window, front fog lamps, headlamp washers, radio/CD player, and most of the soundproofing.
Other features included a carbon fibre bonnet, polycarbonate tailgate and rear side windows, Sabelt seats with carbon fibre shell and aluminium base, six-point harnesses, rear spoiler, optional roll cage, optional titanium exhaust.
The new Renault Megane RS Trophy, however, is much less extreme and still retains all its road-car creature comforts.
Imagine what would happen if Renault were to build a successor to the R26.R?
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