*Caution French Content* Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy R
Discussion
Having most recently owned a 'regular' Megane Trophy c/w the Ohlins suspension option (link below), I decided to move on to something different (?) so the next logical step surely had to be one of these, n'est pas?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The Trophy had provided three years of trouble free, thoroughly enjoyable motoring, the problem was, where to next? I had driven a few other hot hatches during moments of 'car lust upgraditus', but there was nothing that tempted me to secure the level of financial commitment required to justify such a change. The only car I drove that I wanted immediately was a Lotus Exige, but the timing then wasn't right for such a car (maybe next motor?)!
In this time I'd seen and heard of the Megane Trophy R, and after owning a few other Renaultsport cars I knew that I would almost certainly like the R. The problem being their rarity was somewhat of a sticking point when it came to sourcing one. Another issue was that many of them have no air-con fitted, which for a road/track car to be used mostly in the UK wasn't an option for me. The weight penalty for this small level of comfort seemed negligible. Anyhow as luck would have I managed to locate a good example in the required specification, so I parted with my Trophy and snapped it up as soon as I could. Even then it was touch and go as to whether I’d get it, as there was a queue of customers interested in the vehicle. Fortunately it worked out well and I managed to secure the car.
So far so good, I am really pleased with the performance it is just bonkers. The normal Trophy is fantastic and a lot of fun, but this is next level. I cannot help but just laugh sometimes after a particularly exuberant sprint on a twisty road. The weigh reduction is really quite noticeable, and bigger wheels, cup 2 tyres along with the brakes and composite springs on the Ohlins make for a phenomenally grippy machine. I ran Cup 2's on the previous Trophy so the levels of grip were high, but the lower profile provides a greater level of feel and the overall result is sharper performance. There is an immediacy to it which I can only attribute to the weight reduction. It very much reminds me of my old stripped out Saxo beast from years ago, back when it all started!
I'm sure you've all read about these already, so I won't go into too much detail, but suffice to say I don't think there's much more fun to be had this side of 300Bhp. I've owned the car a few months now and I struggle to think you'd travel faster across your average undulating twisty British B-road in anything else, discounting Caterhams and other machines of that elk. The performance of the car far exceeds my driving ability, so I think i'll be keeping her for a long while. The trouble is I am using it daily at present so I need to get something for hacking to work in so I don't rack up the miles on it. Other than that it's perfectly useable daily, and has just the right amount of comfort for 1hr+ journeys, with the added benefit of going like a stabbed rat when necessary to do so.
My plans are to keep it standard, it’s fantastic already and I don’t want to interfere with the originality. It has the Ring pack and R link sat Nav / air con system, and the wheels were black from factory.
Here are some recent photos from Thruxton. I’ve yet to take it on track but will do so in the future:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The Trophy had provided three years of trouble free, thoroughly enjoyable motoring, the problem was, where to next? I had driven a few other hot hatches during moments of 'car lust upgraditus', but there was nothing that tempted me to secure the level of financial commitment required to justify such a change. The only car I drove that I wanted immediately was a Lotus Exige, but the timing then wasn't right for such a car (maybe next motor?)!
In this time I'd seen and heard of the Megane Trophy R, and after owning a few other Renaultsport cars I knew that I would almost certainly like the R. The problem being their rarity was somewhat of a sticking point when it came to sourcing one. Another issue was that many of them have no air-con fitted, which for a road/track car to be used mostly in the UK wasn't an option for me. The weight penalty for this small level of comfort seemed negligible. Anyhow as luck would have I managed to locate a good example in the required specification, so I parted with my Trophy and snapped it up as soon as I could. Even then it was touch and go as to whether I’d get it, as there was a queue of customers interested in the vehicle. Fortunately it worked out well and I managed to secure the car.
So far so good, I am really pleased with the performance it is just bonkers. The normal Trophy is fantastic and a lot of fun, but this is next level. I cannot help but just laugh sometimes after a particularly exuberant sprint on a twisty road. The weigh reduction is really quite noticeable, and bigger wheels, cup 2 tyres along with the brakes and composite springs on the Ohlins make for a phenomenally grippy machine. I ran Cup 2's on the previous Trophy so the levels of grip were high, but the lower profile provides a greater level of feel and the overall result is sharper performance. There is an immediacy to it which I can only attribute to the weight reduction. It very much reminds me of my old stripped out Saxo beast from years ago, back when it all started!
I'm sure you've all read about these already, so I won't go into too much detail, but suffice to say I don't think there's much more fun to be had this side of 300Bhp. I've owned the car a few months now and I struggle to think you'd travel faster across your average undulating twisty British B-road in anything else, discounting Caterhams and other machines of that elk. The performance of the car far exceeds my driving ability, so I think i'll be keeping her for a long while. The trouble is I am using it daily at present so I need to get something for hacking to work in so I don't rack up the miles on it. Other than that it's perfectly useable daily, and has just the right amount of comfort for 1hr+ journeys, with the added benefit of going like a stabbed rat when necessary to do so.
My plans are to keep it standard, it’s fantastic already and I don’t want to interfere with the originality. It has the Ring pack and R link sat Nav / air con system, and the wheels were black from factory.
Here are some recent photos from Thruxton. I’ve yet to take it on track but will do so in the future:
Edited by Track_Cit on Monday 16th July 15:14
Edited by Track_Cit on Monday 16th July 15:16
C2james said:
Lovely Megane, I had a 197 Clio and just this year an alien green 200. Always fancied a Megane and very nearly bought one. Any plans for it? Remap? Track days?
I had a white 200 before my previous Megane, I loved it! I would have another in a heartbeat, actually would love an Alien Green 200 Cup as a daily but i'll have to see how expensive they are....Once I have a daily car i'll do some track days etc, and I have a CAE shifter from the last car which I MAY fit although I'm not sure yet as it makes the change much more stiff and it's really easy and whippy to change at the moment.
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