New Megane Trophy-R - the disguise is gone!
A Megane with graphics being filmed around the 'ring? Time for a new lap record, surely...
The rumours were true - that white Megane spotted on the Nordschleife at the end of last month has now been seen again, shorn again and bearing Trophy-R decals.
Indeed, it's a very similar theme to that seen on the old Trophy-R, with white paint combined with red and black graphics. Given how production ready the car looks, with nothing else left to reveal or take away - plus the fact it's being filmed - the Trophy R surely can't be far from a full reveal. Remember there were just 10 months between the Megane 280 drives and those of the 300 in this new approach from Renault Sport; employ that logic to the Trophy-R and it'll be subject to media drives in September. Which would work very nicely with Goodwood Festival of Speed reveal, no? Or perhaps, given the Renault 5 Turbo is 40 years old in 1980, the reveal can wait until the New Year. Who knows. But consider us very excited at the prospect.
Beyond the graphics being uncovered, there's nothing much new here in addition to what's already been seen, presumably because it's the same car. The bonnet is now vented and scoopier, maybe as a tuned version of the 1.8-litre turbo needs additional cooling.
As for the Nurburgring context, you'll recall that this Trophy-R needs to surpass 7:54 to beat the old car, and 7:47 to best the Golf Clubsport S. Honda will no doubt crow about its 7:43 in a Civic Type R, but that was using a prototype car. With seemingly no intention of using a production version anytime soon. But this certainly isn't over, not by a long chalk; looks like there'll be a number coming from Renault Sport soon...
ORIGINAL STORY, 26/03/2019:
Could this stripped-out version of the current Renault Sport Megane be the model to finally see it earn a reputation on par with its predecessors? New spy pics suggest that Renault Sport is already turning the wick up on its Trophy car - a process which has typically seen the most expensive Megane gain an R badge, and legendary status to boot. Wishful thinking? Well, the latest mule was caught testing you know where - and while it confirmed nothing for sure, the manufacturer did concede to PH that its development programme is moving forward much more quickly than it did with the previous generation.
There are other reasons to be cheerfully optimistic, too. Note the cladding on the bonnet and the additional vents either side of it. Renault wouldn't be the first to add a raised section just for the sake of styling - but there might also be a legitimate reason; like making space for a bigger intake. The last R version of the Trophy (from 2014) didn't receive a power boost, but there's every chance Renault has been encouraged to extract more punch from the boosted 1.8-litre, which develops 300hp in the standard Trophy.
One thing we can be certain of, though, is that should this prove to be the R, it will be the most aggressively set up version of the current Megane yet seen. See the back seats? Or rather what looks to us like the conspicuous lack of them? They're likely gone as part of a Dieppe-spec diet that should also include the removal of sound deadening, addition of lightweight wheels (probably the ones that are an option on the Trophy) and, if the last 275 Trophy-R is anything to go by, an infotainment delete. The current Trophy has deeply bolstered Recaros and stiffer Cup suspension as standard, but the R might get more aggressive geometry and tweaks to its four-wheel steering in order to maximise the changes. Plus, we spy a strut brace in the back to stiffen things up.
That's a tantalising list of ingredients that we have no doubt will make the R faster and more agile than its five-seat sibling, but will they be enough to regain Renault Sport its once long held title as the maker of the world's best hot hatch? Of course, it was only during the previous generations for Megane and Clio that we assumed with confidence anything from Dieppe would wipe the floor with its opposition. Not earning such accolades with the present models must hurt the engineers in the division - so expect them to come out with all guns blazing in the Trophy-R. Looks like we won't have long to wait anyway...
What was it, four years between 250 and Trophy-R? We'll have gone from 280 to Trophy-R in about a year with the MK4 Megane. Seems that, as soon as you buy one, it's out of date. The Trophy became available as soon as the 280/280 Cup started to be delivered and, now the Trophy is being delivered, this has been spotted. As a buyer, that would annoy me a bit to be honest...
What was it, four years between 250 and Trophy-R? We'll have gone from 280 to Trophy-R in about a year with the MK4 Megane. Seems that, as soon as you buy one, it's out of date. The Trophy became available as soon as the 280/280 Cup started to be delivered and, now the Trophy is being delivered, this has been spotted. As a buyer, that would annoy me a bit to be honest...
250 - 265 Trophy - 265 - 275 Trophy (and Trophy R) - 275 Cup S
I bought a a 280 Cup and have no problems with them updating the car. Lotus have been doing it for years too.
Do you have to own the latest one all the time?
The 280 is still available and everybody knew the trophy was due within 12 months of the 280, so it's not quite as bad as mentioned. Also the trophy-r is for the hardcore, so won't necessarily appeal to the same people - I need the rear seats for example, so it's a standard trophy for me
The 280 is still available and everybody knew the trophy was due within 12 months of the 280, so it's not quite as bad as mentioned. Also the trophy-r is for the hardcore, so won't necessarily appeal to the same people - I need the rear seats for example, so it's a standard trophy for me
What was it, four years between 250 and Trophy-R? We'll have gone from 280 to Trophy-R in about a year with the MK4 Megane. Seems that, as soon as you buy one, it's out of date. The Trophy became available as soon as the 280/280 Cup started to be delivered and, now the Trophy is being delivered, this has been spotted. As a buyer, that would annoy me a bit to be honest...
Megane 280 review, Cr@p
Megane Trophy review. Basically a 280 with a full option list. Still Cr@p
Megane Trophy-R review. Trophy with every option take off, and a roll cage fitted. Review? What is should have been from the off, but only for die hard Renault fans who don't need more than 2 seats. Results in poor sales.
This has absolutely nothing to do with "Dieppe" where the Alpine / R.S factory is as all Megane R.S. are now built in Palencia in Spain and have been since the Megane 3 in 2010. The Renault Sport road car engineering centre is in Les Ulis 91940 in outer South West Paris.
With regards the car it's great to seen further development but let's hope they don't repeat the huge mistake of the previous 2 cars by not offering the option to have the rear seat. The first Megane R26.R was supposed to have 230 UK cars ( a number matching the engine output) and half of them got sent back to France and converted to LHD and then the following 275 Trophy R struggled to find even 30 UK customers with cars sold at discounts.
Please listen to your customers Renault...…..It's a hot hatch which means some practicality, it's not a two door two seat Coupe.
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