Friday 10th September 2004

Mégane Trophy to offer GT power

New Renault with GT/touring car style

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At the Paris motor show later this month, Renault Sport Technologies will be unveiling the latest addition to its road cars built for the track: Mégane Trophy. From the same stable that produced the Renault 5 Turbo, Alpine V6 GT, Spider and Clio V6, Mégane Trophy will be making its debut on European racing circuits from the spring of 2005.
The car is built around a tubular chassis, with 320 bhp produced from a 3.5 litre V6 mid-rear mounted power-plant -- the same apparently as fitted to Vel Satis and Espace. Renault claims that the power-to-weight ratio of 2.9 Kg/bhp and aerodynamic profile mean it offers the performance levels of a GT racer for a much lower investment outlay and racing costs. The car will be taking part next year in a European single-series championship organised by Renault Sport.

Renault says the Mégane Trophy was designed with a ‘racing profile’ in mind -- its aerodynamic styling is similar to the demands of cars competing in the German touring car championship. Throughout its development, one of the key ideas for the design was to focus on driving pleasure and the spectacle of motor racing.

The Megane Trophy's mid-rear engine powers through a steering wheel-controlled semi-automatic gearbox and on-board data acquisition system. Its designed to appeal to both young drivers coming up through the single-seater ranks as well as touring car racers or 'gentlemen drivers' looking for a car that offers a seriously competitive performance-to-price ratio.

Mégane Trophy is the newest addition to a range of four cars built specially for racetrack or rally competition: Clio Cup, Clio Cup Rally, Clio 2.0 16V Group N and Clio Super 1600. For nearly 40 years, single-series competitions have been used as a brand showcase, while providing a level sporting and technical playing field for a cost-controlled racing experience, that Renault Sport has always actively encouraged through its race organisation and regulations.

Alas, Renault hasn't provided a pic so we can't show you what it looks like..

[hendry]

"Renault claims that the power-to-weight ratio of 2.9 Kg/bhp..."

Surely that's a weight to power ratio? And who the hell uses those?

More interested to see a Megane Cup in the same vein as the Clio Cup. I read in evo that the standard Megane 225 is a bit of a disappointment...