Megane Trophy-R unveiled with record 'ring time
New Trophy-R is 130kg lighter than standard - and 3.8 seconds quicker than a Civic Type R
We speculated, and the PH crystal ball was correct... The camouflaged Megane R.S. Trophy R that was spotted at the 'ring last month, has gone and knocked the Honda Civic Type R off its top spot, likely oozing with smugness as the French team stepped up to the podium's top step with a time of 7 minutes and 40 seconds - a whole 3.8 seconds faster than the bonkers Civic - and incredibly 37 seconds quicker than the its big brother the R26.R.
So, what has Renault done to make the Trophy R such a success around the track? More power? A hideous wing? Nope, the French have stayed pure and stuck to three core principals; "maximum weight reduction, reworked aerodynamics and a more radical development of its drive axles". This means that the Trophy R has the same 300hp engine as the normal Trophy, but it seems to have been on a hardcore, no-carb juice diet as it's lost a whopping 130kg. Combine that with an Akrapovic exhaust, Brembo brakes, Ohlins dampers, improved chassis dynamics plus some fancy tyres from Bridgestone and you get a familiar idea of how the feat has been achieved.
Right now, Renault hasn't specified precise details on the hardware changes or what the weight loss entails, but we expect it to be roughly the same recipe as the previous Trophy R, so options for no air con, no radio, lithium ion battery - you get the gist. However, with it clearly retaining it's rear doors, will it keep it's rear seats? If so, we'll be waiting with bated breath to see how they managed it. And with the public debut just 3 days away, luckily we won't have to wait long!
Really pleased for Renault. Yes it will be expensive but any car of this elk is no longer affordable is it. Look at the type R! Also the type R that got the ring record was heavily tweaked and far from normal. This will be the same car for sale to the public. Renaultsport are still the kings of this game, take note everyone! 👌🏼
I love Renault sport but am I alone in here not finding this time impressive? Having gone to that extend (carbon wheels, ohlins, sticky tyres, plastic windows, ceramic brakes etc) just to shave 3 seconds can not be celebrated as success. Unless we are at that point of diminishing returns..
Not bothered about ring times but just a thought. What I truly found impressive though was the driving, some quality being demonstrated here..
Also I don’t think they’ve ditched rear steering on it, that’s partly why it’s so agile. Be interested to see the final spec though ! Also can’t wait to see what the car journos say about it
Either way there will be people who cannot accept the Renault is faster than other offerings. The civic is equally fantastic but it was still a different version that set the record to what can be purchased by jo public. And it had stickier tyres too. The RS is superior. Just accept it and move on 🤓
Why fit it then?
I'm not buying it.
I would bet my life that most of the criticism on here is from keyboard warriors who have never driven or owen a 'proper' RS car. I had the last edition Trophy R and it was a mega thing to drive, just alive and brilliant.
This version is not aimed at the practical family man Dad market, it's a special edition homologated version designed to showcase the technical excellence of the RS brand, if you don't appreciate that then there is little point even adding anything to the conversation.
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