Renault launches hard-nut Mégane
French carmaker cashes in on F1 success
Megane Team F1 R26
It follows the special edition Mégane Renaultsport 225 Renault F1 Team launched in January. The name refers to the current R26 F1 car that has put Renault at the top of the Formula 1 World Championship standings. Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, Mégane F1 Team R26 is the hottest version of the Mégane Renaultsport range.
It's aimed at track-day enthusiasts and features a limited slip differential. Its two-litre turbo engine, uprated by a further 5hp to 230hp, plus a development of the revised "Cup" chassis and Brembo brakes make it one of the quickest hot hatches on the market while its distinctive lines reinforce its positioning as a true performance car.
More power
Mégane F1 Team R26's revised 2.0 16-valve turbocharged engine now delivers 230hp at 5,500rpm and boasts peak torque of 229lb-ft at 3,000rpm thanks to specific engine mapping and a modified exhaust. With 90 per cent of peak torque available from 2,000 to 6,000rpm, this engine provides "instant response and fearsome acceleration", according to Renault.
The six-speed manual gearbox enables the car to hit 62mph in 6.2 seconds (0.1 seconds quicker than the 225 Cup), while the 1,000-metre standing start is covered in 26.6 seconds.
The new Mégane offers combined cycle fuel consumption of 33mpg. As is the case with Clio Renaultsport 197 (199g/km), CO2 emissions are under 200g/km.
Finally, a new sports exhaust system guarantees a rasp, particularly at low speed and during hard acceleration.
The chassis is a development of the Cup chassis -- optional on the Mégane Renaultsport 225 -- but modified with specific dampers and stiffer springs. Damper travel has been slightly increased by reducing the size of the bump stops to improve handling on poor surfaces. The new diameter front anti-roll bar and rear suspension layout ensure stiffer anti-roll characteristics for enhanced handling under cornering.
The new diff helps channel power to the road, even in slippery conditions where previously it may have spun away or killed by traction control. Renault reckons that limited slip differentials (LSD) are a common feature on competition cars, both in rallying and in Formula 1, but rare on front wheel drive road cars because of the torque steer they tend to induce. Renault reckons that this combination of LSD and independent steering-axis front suspension minimises this phenomenon, and permits the driver to benefit from the extra traction. Following the switch to a tube-in-tube steering column in April 2004, the electric power steering control unit of the Mégane Renaultsport family was recently recalibrated with a view to guaranteeing a more linear feel for added steering precision.
The new Mégane gets uprated brakes – Brembo four-pot front callipers and vented 312mm diameter discs with an 11-inch servo which generates a maximum pressure within the circuit of 115 bar. The new limited slip differential has prompted Renaultsport to swap the previous Dunlop SportMaxx tyres for Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres (235/40 R18).
Jazzed up look
Mégane F1 Team R26 is distinguishable from other Mégane Renaultsport models with its Renault F1 Team graphics on the bumpers, doors and roof (these are optional but free of charge) and its red-painted brake callipers. It gets Anthracite 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. Colour options include Liquid Yellow metallic paint, previously seen on Clio Renaultsport V6 255.
Inside, an F1-style numbered plaque and Recaro bucket seats are standard. Other equipment includes 60W RDS-radio CD-MP3 with six speakers, automatic double optic headlamps with “See me home” function and headlamp washers, climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, de-connectable ESP and electric windows with driver’s one touch controls.
The Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 will cost the same as the former 225 F1 Team special edition at £19,570 when UK ordering opens at the end of October 2006, so the extra technical specification and power come for free. Its insurance group rating is 17.
Girl at party: "so what do you drive?"
Chap at party: "A Renault"
Girl at party (looking interested): "really? I like my renault - I have a clio 1.2"
Chap at party: "Mine's the special edition Mégane Renaultsport 225 Renault F1 Team launched in January. The name refers to the current R26 F1 car that has put Renault at the top of the Formula 1 World Championship standings. Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, Mégane F1 Team R26 is the hottest version of the Mégane Renaultsport range."
Girl at party: (looks nervously around the room) "I think I left my drink over there somewhere..." (walks away quickly)
apologies for being slighly sexist
At least last time they waited until they'd won the F1 title before trying to use it to flog cars!
What next, Honda win opening race in 2007 and immediately launch F1 Civic to celebrate leading the championship!!
Maybe they're scared they aren't going to win this time?
Yes your right :yawn: lets just have 1;6 d models
The thing is, the Clio makes a decent hot hatch. But the Megane is just the wrong sort of car to do this with. The base model is just too bland. If they did the F1 treatment to the Clio, then I'd understand. Even the Laguna would make a decent looking car if it was tweaked properly, could be very touring car. All I'm saying is that doing this to the Megane just doesn't work.
Yes your right :yawn: lets just have 1;6 d models
The thing is, the Clio makes a decent hot hatch. But the Megane is just the wrong sort of car to do this with. The base model is just too bland. If they did the F1 treatment to the Clio, then I'd understand. Even the Laguna would make a decent looking car if it was tweaked properly, could be very touring car. All I'm saying is that doing this to the Megane just doesn't work.
sure but the Clio is a very small car and most people need a bigger car so doing it to the Migrain makes sence
As I recall my Leon Cupra-R claimed to have an LSD, but that amounted to a chip that controlled slip and reduced power / increased braking in those situations, so essentially just ESP+.
Yes your right :yawn: lets just have 1;6 d models
The thing is, the Clio makes a decent hot hatch. But the Megane is just the wrong sort of car to do this with. The base model is just too bland. If they did the F1 treatment to the Clio, then I'd understand. Even the Laguna would make a decent looking car if it was tweaked properly, could be very touring car. All I'm saying is that doing this to the Megane just doesn't work.
sure but the Clio is a very small car and most people need a bigger car so doing it to the Migrain makes sence
But surely the "Halo" car shouldn't be aimed at "most people". They did the Clio Williams because it was the best car to do the job on. Here they just appear to be trying to cash in without producing the best that they could.
Chap at party: "A Renault"
Girl at party (looking interested): "really? I like my renault - I have a clio 1.2"
Chap at party: "Mine's the special edition Mégane Renaultsport 225 Renault F1 Team launched in January. The name refers to the current R26 F1 car that has put Renault at the top of the Formula 1 World Championship standings. Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, Mégane F1 Team R26 is the hottest version of the Mégane Renaultsport range."
Girl at party: (looks nervously around the room) "I think I left my drink over there somewhere..." (walks away quickly)
But, I guess I can always tell the girl about the penis extension I keep in the garage
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