2014 RenaultSport Megane 275 Trophy

Highlights

• Sought after Trophy model
• Cup chassis, limited slip differential and aftermarket adjustable shocks
• Akrapovic titanium exhaust
• Mapped by RS Tuning to 317hp
• Extensive history and in beautiful condition

Overview

The hottest Meganes were always highly regarded as finely-honed driver’s cars although, looking back, there were many different variants to choose from, with varying levels of track focus and exclusivity. The 275 Trophy arguably sits in a sweet spot where it has all the everyday usability of the regular Megane, a fast-road optimised chassis and more than enough firepower to keep up on the track.

In addition to the 275PS (267hp) turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the hardware includes the Cup chassis, a mechanical limited slip differential at the front, four-pot Brembo brakes and an Akrapovic titanium exhaust all from the factory. Inside, there are lovely Recaro seats bespoke to the Trophy, lashings of Alcantara and the full infotainment system that was omitted from the more track-oriented Trophy-R. However, in this case, the car has been treated to a session with RS Tuning that has resulted in a power uplift to 317hp and a set of KW V3 adjustable dampers.

Finished in Liquid Yellow, a £1300 option when new, it looks fabulous and has obviously been extremely well cared for, both mechanically and cosmetically. There’s a substantial collection of invoices and the owner tells us that he’s only ever used it in the warmer months and always washed it with the two bucket method (the detailer’s approach, for those of us who prefer driving to polishing).

With Renaultsport now turning their attention exclusively to electric cars, we’re not going to see the like of the 275 Trophy again. If you want to sample how they gained their enviable reputation, then there will be few better ways than owning a great example like this one.

History and documentation

• Registered 17 Oct 2014
• In current ownership since Nov 2021
• Sill plates show this as build number 0607 out of a total production run that is believed to number just 1,500 worldwide
• Stamps in the service book show the following services: Jun 2015 @ 7,538 miles, Oct 2017 @ 18,680 miles, Sep 2018 @ 25,695 miles, Aug 2019 @ 31,650 miles, Aug 2020 @ 36,588 miles, Aug 2021 @ 39,185 miles, Aug 2022 @ 43,717 miles, Apr 2023 @ 45,918 miles
• An invoice for Mar 2021 also shows a service and fitting of a new cambelt, water pump and auxiliary belt, there’s an invoice from Jul 2021 showing the fitment of a new air con compressor and the vendor tells us that he changed the oil and filter himself in September 2023
• Ceramic coating applied Apr 2021
• New front calipers and spark plugs were fitted Feb 2022
• Apr 2023 saw an RS Tuning mapping carried out which increased the power to 317hp on a switchable map
• Full document pack
• Two keys
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 29 Aug 2024
• V5 present in owner’s name
• The private 275 plate is included in the sale
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Open the door and climb over the numbered Trophy sill plates and you’re greeted with a cabin that’s both sporting and comfortable with red highlights helping to give it an air of sophistication
• Gorgeous Recaro bucket seats hold you firmly in place and ahead of you is an Alcantara steering wheel which the seller tells us was supplied by Royal Steering wheels and fitted at 38k miles
• There is a some minor wear to outer driver’s seat bolster (very common on these seats) but otherwise there’s little-to-no wear to show the car’s age and mileage and the rear seats look to never have been sat in
• There’s a useful selection of mod cons that give the car everyday usability: a full infotainment system with sat nav phone connectivity, cruise control, air conditioning
• The boot is very tidy, sporting a red-edged K-Tec racing mat and covered by the original parcel shelf
• In all, it’s a well-specified interior that is as good condition as you could hope for

Exterior

• Finished in the extra cost option of Liquid Yellow paint and replete with a full Trophy sticker set, this car certainly looks the part
• The seller advises that he stores the car in a dry garage when not in use, doesn’t drive it during the winter months and that it’s always washed with snow foam and the two bucket method; consequently, the paintwork is in excellent condition
• The only blemishes of note are a few stone chips to the front end and a larger one on the bonnet, and one chip to the windscreen which is on the passenger side out of the driver’s eye line
• Gloss black wheels are in excellent condition all round and wear a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres
• The seller tells us that the underside shows no signs of rust and it certainly looks very clean in the photographs
• Overall, we think that you’re unlikely to find one in much better condition than this

Mechanical

• 1,998cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine with switchable maps: standard power in normal mode and the RS button activating an RS Tuning map which delivers 317hp
• The Akrapovic titanium exhaust crackles and pops as standard when hot once RS mode has been engaged
• Six-speed manual gearbox
• Front-wheel drive with mechanical limited slip differential
• The Brembo brakes have red calipers and HEL braided brake lines, Motul RBF660 brake fluid and Ferodo DS2500 pads reportedly contribute to an encouraging feel
• The owner tells us that it is on adjustable KW V3 suspension which was fitted 8,000 mile/ 2 years ago with separate compression, rebound and ride height adjustment
• The car starts on a push button and the owner describes a pleasant rumble from the Akrapovic exhaust
• There are no known mechanical issues and the very clean MOT history, maintenance records and general condition point to this being a very well-cared for car

Summary

Hot hatches are the Swiss Army knives of the performance car world in their adaptability but, like the handy pocket tools, they come in many varieties. A Megane 275 Trophy definitely tilts the scales more towards the driving enthusiast than someone who regularly carries four passengers but can equally prove useful day-to-day.

This Liquid Yellow car turns up the wick for extra enjoyment but retains the ride and practicality of the standard Trophy. Beautifully looked after, it’s a car that would be as welcome at shows as it is enjoyable on the back roads. Whoever gets to be the next owner, it’s fair to say that we’ll be a bit jealous.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Dinnington, South Yorkshire.