Renault Megane RB8
Renault piggybacks on Red Bull success with special edition Megane 265
Just 30 will be available in Britain, all in Twilight Blue with Platinum Grey accents, which aims to mimic the Red Bull F1 car. Just to force the point home, there are Red Bull graphics on the side and the boot as well as a monochrome sticker in the window to celebrate the 2012 Constructors' title success.
In fact, the changes inside the Megane RB8 are far more significant than the cosmetic tweaks, especially as the mechanical package is identical to the Megane 265 Cup on 19-inch wheels. It marks the introduction of Renault's R-Link infotainment to the Megane Renaultsport range. Available in the new Clio RS 200 also, R-Link allows circuit telemetry to be exchanged between Renault and customers as well as controlling the standard phone and navigation duties.
The Megane RB8 also comes with the second-generation Renaultsport monitor, now with sat-nav rather than in place of it. So now you can measure your G-force whilst taking the correct roundabout exit... The monitor can also display fluid temperatures, power outputs and lap time, some in a 3D format. The data is downloadable to USB for full geek points, should you wish.
Renault will be taking orders for the UK batch of Megane RB8s from the middle of June, with to be announced nearer the time. Given the additional equipment (which includes Recaro seats, sat-nav and the 19-inch wheels) and the rarity value, expect the RB8 to carry a premium over the £24,840 asked for the standard Megane Cup. And if you want a Megane 265 without the extra fripperies of the RB8, they're now available in the PH Classifieds for the less than £20,000...
I hoped they had given up after all those endless Clio 200 paint 'specials' Gordini, Silverstone and Raider.
I wonder what muppets will pay over the odds for this one.
Great car, just offer the nice paint as an option on the standard 265. This smacks of a bit of marketing desperation.
Where is the grey in Red Bull's F1 colours?
They should have just put it on a SERIOUS diet and maybe revised the gear ratios as a 160mph Megane is a bit of a nonsense IMO!
Minimal outlay to produce a variant that generates column inches, putting a mid-life model into the public consciousness again, therefore generating sales. Fairly basic marketing really, and it clearly works because they're always cropping up. Unless you want the brand/car to fail, why would that bother you?
The irony is, when they do throw money at a properly developed variant, such as the R26R, they can't shift them.
Minimal outlay to produce a variant that generates column inches, putting a mid-life model into the public consciousness again, therefore generating sales. Fairly basic marketing really, and it clearly works because they're always cropping up. Unless you want the brand/car to fail, why would that bother you?
The irony is, when they do throw money at a properly developed variant, such as the R26R, they can't shift them.
They did it with the Clio 200 specials and used values are now not much better than the basic models.
They also did it with the Megane 265 Trophy 'limited edition' and a few months later they went into production with exactly the same car without the badges. You can even get the 265 in Liquid Yellow now.
This new Sat Nav and Link will be available on all 265 models anyway.
How long before they pump out another 'special' version? Lotus sounds good, must be worth a few £K extra on list
Minimal outlay to produce a variant that generates column inches, putting a mid-life model into the public consciousness again, therefore generating sales. Fairly basic marketing really, and it clearly works because they're always cropping up. Unless you want the brand/car to fail, why would that bother you?
The irony is, when they do throw money at a properly developed variant, such as the R26R, they can't shift them.
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