Sunday 28th July 2019

Megane Trophy-R clinches Spa record | Update!

Renault has released the onboard video of Laurent Hurgon's record-breaking lap...

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Renault went to the trouble of streaming the Trophy-R's new lap record as it happened last week, but the footage was all from trackside. Now it's had time to edit the result into something a bit more presentable - and added the onboard video for good measure. Hurgon obviously gets the credit for another unflappable drive, but, as he alluded to in his comments afterwards, the sheer composure of the latest Megane is something to behold on one of the most challenging race circuits in the world.

Enjoy...

ORIGINAL STORY - 24.07.19

Following its triumph at the Nurburgring in May, the new Renault Megane Trophy-R has now set the front-drive production lap record at Spa-Francorchamps, too. Its time of 2mins 48secs is good enough to take a five-second bite out of the previous record holder, the FK8 Honda Civic Type R.

That makes it a double whammy for the Megane, driven by Laurent Hurgon, one completed live in front of fans as part of an R.S. Days event - and streamed on YouTube for good measure. Honda's 2mins 53sec time, set by the LMP2 champion Bertrand Baguette, had stood for just over a year.

"The new MÉGANE R.S. Trophy-R has set a new record in its category, this time at Spa-Francorchamps, one of the most demanding circuits in the world. A record all the better for being set in front of a community of enthusiasts as part of R.S. Days. Just the performance, the closeness between the driver at work and the fans, a beautiful sharing of information and passion: this is the attitude that permeates the development of our cars and the very special relationship with our community," explained Renault Sport's general manager, Patrice Ratti.

Choosing to set the record at a public track day means that the manufacturer had no concerns about the Trophy-R's ability to dip under the Civic's time, and its margin of success is marginally superior to the difference between the FK8's 2018 time and the 2mins 56secs recorded by Rob Huff in the FK2.

"I am, once again, really proud and delighted," reported Hurgon. "Spa-Francorchamps is one of the favourite European circuits for drivers. It is very fast and complex and the car is perfect for this configuration. The work done on the aerodynamic balance takes all its value. The sensations in the Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont corners are really excellent. What a pleasure!"

The aerodynamic balance refers to the redesigned undertray and more aggressive rear splitter which are exclusive to the Trophy-R, alongside a 130kg weight reduction and its overhauled chassis. Just 30 examples of the Trophy-R are destined to make it to the UK out of a global build of 500.

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[TomTVR500]

Impressive! 5 Seconds per lap is a significant gap over an already incredibly capable car. Well done Renaultsport!

[Cupramax]

PH article said:

Honda's 2mins 53sec time, set by the LMP2 champion Bertrand Baguette, had stood for just over a year.

Probably toasted his brakes.

[thelostboy]

Spa is a big lap, but yeah, that is a pretty sizeable difference still.

Just wish I could get on with the front end of them.

[RumbleOfThunder]

Thought the same. That's a big chunk of time.

[ben5575]

Thought I'd go to the trouble of posting a link to the lap, seeing as the original article didn't bother:

https://youtu.be/2ogVI3iWAVo?t=1289

[AmosMoses]

Renaultsport makes the best hot hatches in my biased Clio 197 owning opinion

[Baldchap]

Cupramax said:

PH article said:

Honda's 2mins 53sec time, set by the LMP2 champion Bertrand Baguette, had stood for just over a year.

Probably toasted his brakes.

That Frenchman was really sticking his foot in!

[whp1983]

It’s a £65k car in that spec (£55k base plus carbon brakes and wheels) if anything, makes type r look more impressive!

[Evolved]

Ouch, £55k? That’s serious money!

[CraigV6]

whp1983 said:

It’s a £65k car in that spec (£55k base plus carbon brakes and wheels) if anything, makes type r look more impressive!

Did they use a Type R that you can buy at Spa, or was it the same one that you couldn’t / can’t buy that they used to secure the Nurburgring time?

[SidewaysSi]

I normally love RS stuff but can't equate the price with the car. If I wanted a new hatch, I would go for the Civic. If I wanted to spend £60k on a fun car, there are plenty of other options both new and old.

[greenarrow]

CraigV6 said:

whp1983 said:

It’s a £65k car in that spec (£55k base plus carbon brakes and wheels) if anything, makes type r look more impressive!

Did they use a Type R that you can buy at Spa, or was it the same one that you couldn’t / can’t buy that they used to secure the Nurburgring time?

Its a good point actually. Does anyone know what lap-time the Civic Type R has achieved in showroom spec? I'm thinking that German mag Auto Motor Und Sport often test factory spec cars at the 'Ring but I haven't seen a time quoted for the Civic.

I am yet to be convinced that any showroom spec hot hatch can actually lap in under 8 mins.....

[Haltamer]

Given the changes to the FK8 were "floating rollcage", PS Cup2 (Based on what I've read) and removal of the infotainment / rear seats to make up for the rollcage weight.

I'd argue that it's a fair bit easier / cheaper to unbolt the seats and infotainment and, if you're edging out the torsional rigidity, bolt on a couple of braces, than it is to get carbon brakes et al

[whp1983]

CraigV6 said:

Did they use a Type R that you can buy at Spa, or was it the same one that you couldn’t / can’t buy that they used to secure the Nurburgring time?

Not sure, think type r had cage and track tyres.

[DoubleD]

Isnt it great though that cars like this are available to buy?

[SlimJim16v]

I'd like to see this "rear splitter", sounds interesting.

Great car, but not what I'd be buying at that price.

[RowntreesCabana]

£65k!!!! £55k for the base model!!!

The world has gone bonkers

[thiscocks]

Cant believe only 30 are for the UK! Would have thought the UK would be one of the biggest markets for this. Renault used to make the special stuff just for the UK not too long a ago.

[Jon_S_Rally]

I wondered how long it would take people to moan about the price. If only people had some comprehension of marketing.

Very impressive, Renault have done a good job with this. Unlikely I'll ever be able to own one, but I'm glad it exists.

[FaNtheMaN26]

thiscocks said:

Cant believe only 30 are for the UK! Would have thought the UK would be one of the biggest markets for this. Renault used to make the special stuff just for the UK not too long a ago.

We love hot hatches it's true, but they struggled to shift the r26.r so don't want to get burned agian, especially at that price...

As a civic owner I applaud the effort, despite the fact it's had to go extreme and not actually be a hatch to do so. Honda have a yellow ring edition coming soon, and with the A45s, this war ain't over yet