Both were integral to their record-breaking ‘Ring laps.

Previous ‘ultimate version’ Meganes have used Toyo R888 (2008’s R26.R) and Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo R (2014’s Trophy R) rubber respectively. Renault has also partnered with Bridgestone for the tyres on the Trophy-R. The specifics of that weight reduction aren’t yet known, but you can bet the Sabelt bucket seats, new wheels and the special Akrapovic exhaust will have played a part. All in, you can have up to 130kg lopped off the kerb weight of your Megane. Trophy-R is a significant weight reduction. Three areas were addressed by the team at Renault Sport: maximum weight reduction, reworked aerodynamics and ‘a radical development of its drive axels’, including how the car is suspended and how power is distributed at the front.Ĭhief among changes to the new 2019 Megane R.S. The car was driven by Laurent Hurgon, the race ace who also took two previous hardcore Meganes to their respective Nurburgring lap records, with the new Meg undergoing a few changes to transform it into a ‘Ring champ. What makes the new Megane Trophy-R a Nurburgring champ? It follows in the footsteps of past hardcore Meganes – the R26.R and Trophy R – cars that took the Nurburgring record in their day.

The time: a swift 7 minutes 40.1 seconds. Once again, Renault has toppled the Honda Civic Type R for honours as the fastest front-wheel-drive hot hatch around the Nordschleife.

Trophy-R has been revealed, and straight out of the blocks, it’s a Nurburgring lap record holder.

Renault sports megane