Renaultsport Megane R26.R | Spotted
For half the price of Honda's sold out Civic Type R Limited Edition, you can still buy a masterpiece
Renault Sport may no longer wear the hot hatch crown, but its influence on the segment remains incalculable. See Honda's most extreme take on the FK8 Civic, the recently sold-out Limited Edition, which adheres closely its French rival's rulebook in respect to creating a low volume halo hatch. The top Civic is lighter, uses bespoke dampers and gets stickier boots, which is exactly the sort of stuff that Renault used to throw at its trick Meganes back in the day. Barring one thing, that is. The Honda retains five seats.
That could be a key reason why Renault's latest Trophy-R - the one with the optional carbon rims - has so far not sold out. That, and the fact that unlike the Honda, the sublime two-seater model - even in optionless form - can't duck under the £40k mark. A combination of the Civic's continued usability, lower cost and even lower volume have likely earned it that sell out status.
Graeme Holt, the former Renault UK press relations manager that we recently spoke to, believes the success of the five-seat Clio 182 Trophy is directly related to its unaffected usability. It also helped that the three-door Trophy retailed for the equivalent of £23k in today's money. But Holt does have a point. The Megane R26.R and 275 Trophy R never felt overly expensive, yet they didn't exactly fly out of the door. So much so that Renault ended up passing several of its unsold R26.Rs for Britain - a 230-car run - to other countries. We love Renault hot hatches here, but apparently only if they've space for the kids and leave us with a bit of change in the pocket.
For the small number of top-spec Megane owners, however, this is all good news. Their cars are rare and, clearly, they're not bothered about a back bench. Those with the now legendary R26.R are arguably the most committed of the lot, it remaining a turned-up Meg with unrivalled focus. No radio, plastic rear windows, a pair of harnessed bucket seats, a half roll cage and Dieppe's finest chassis wizardry. It was and still is one of the rawest, most exciting experiences you can have on four wheels, no matter the driven axle. "The front-drive GT3", we called the £23,815 car back in 2008.
Prices have actually stabilised or perhaps even slightly dropped off a bit, with good examples on the classifieds all sat around the £20k mark. That's about ten grand less than the best examples were going for a couple of years back and smack bang on the money of today's 28,000-mile-old pick from the classifieds. We were stuck between this grey car and another similarly low-mileage black one, but the grey won us over - that, and the seller's offer of free delivery, so even those sheltering from Covid-19 can buy it. It might not have back seats, but at least it's fast, rare and fun. All for half the price of Honda's sold-out Civic.
SPECIFICATION - RENAULT MEGANE RENAULTSPORT R26.R
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 230@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 229@3,000rpm
MPG: 33.2 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 199g/km
First registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 28,000
Price new: £23,815
Yours for: £20,000
I wouldn't touch that for £10k.
Personally, on a car of this type and value, if they don’t offer a warranty, they don’t get my money.
And I’d ask the question, why has the engine been changed, as a forged engine would be expected to be stronger. Has it been thrashed and the engine has gone bang, hence the change?
Think I’d be checking out appropriate forums to see if information can be gleaned about the previous owners reason for sale and which might reveal what happened to the forged engine...
TX.
What was missing was the rear wash/wipe, passenger airbag, curtain airbags and the stereo (I think that could be optioned back in, at no cost?)
Never having owned one I’m not an expert, but many of those on sale seem to have the optional titanium exhaust, I wonder what % of first owners took that up as an option?
The .R is the rarest of them all selling in tiny numbers so I'm not surprised they haven't dropped off much in price.
I can see the value argument to a point, an R26 Megane is about 99% the same car with back seats so practical and quick. The .R was just a mental version.
TX.
I have never driven r26 but it is supposed to be a brilliant drive.
It is the working mans’ GT3 without a doubt and by that I mean it’s way more affordable and attainable for most people. This was one of the best driver focussed cars I’ve ever had the fortune to own. Spanked mine round the Ring countless times and had endless amounts of fun in it. Massive boot, aircon as standard, stunning Sabelt seats and 6-point harnesses, CF bonnet, lightweight plastic windows, R888 tyres and roll-cage - Hats off to Renaultsport for having the wherewithal to build this car in the first place.
I don’t normally comment on PH, but now and again some balance needs to be maintained by someone whose actually owned one of these cars. If anyone is looking at buying one of these they are utterly fantastic.
At least it doesn't have 4 doors like the current one though.
Check out a 2002 Honda Civic for much of the same or most hot hatches of the time. Even an Audi S3 of the same era doesn’t reek of quality inside does it!
At least it doesn't have 4 doors like the current one though.
Check out a 2002 Honda Civic for much of the same or most hot hatches of the time. Even an Audi S3 of the same era doesn’t reek of quality inside does it!
Cheap cars equal a cheap interior and my 2011 370Z is the same inside too. I'm guessing that this and much like my 370 are good to drive though...so you turn a blind eye to the crappy interior anyway I reckon.
It is the working mans’ GT3 without a doubt and by that I mean it’s way more affordable and attainable for most people. This was one of the best driver focussed cars I’ve ever had the fortune to own. Spanked mine round the Ring countless times and had endless amounts of fun in it. Massive boot, aircon as standard, stunning Sabelt seats and 6-point harnesses, CF bonnet, lightweight plastic windows, R888 tyres and roll-cage - Hats off to Renaultsport for having the wherewithal to build this car in the first place.
I don’t normally comment on PH, but now and again some balance needs to be maintained by someone whose actually owned one of these cars. If anyone is looking at buying one of these they are utterly fantastic.
And I disagree everyone looking at the thread is interested in buying
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff