Renault R26 Megane run extended
April 29, 2008 by George Skentzos
Increased customer demand for what is arguably the most underrated hot hatch on the market has resulted in Renault Australia ordering another 20 of its Special Edition F1 Team R26 Megane’s.
This brings the number of R26 Megane’s in Australia to just 100, when added to the 80 imported and sold in 2007 – talk about exclusive!
The latest batch of R26’s will only be available in ‘Victory Yellow’, once again because of customer demand.
Based upon the Megane RenaultSport 225 three-door, the R26 features a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 168kW at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 310Nm at 3,000rpm.
Teamed with a close ratio six-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential, 90 percent of torque is available from 2,000 to 6,000rpm.
Taming the R26 are four-pot Brembo calipers up front with vented 312mm rotors for astonishing stopping power.
In addition to its performance components, the R26 also features de-connectable ESP, xenon headlamps, automatic headlamps and wipers climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, and electric windows with driver’s one touch controls.
This marks the second occasion Renault has created a special edition Megane to commemorate its F1 World Championship win, both in 2005 and 2006.
The 2005 championship model, also know as the ‘F1 Team’ was only available ‘Alp Blue’, with 40 cars being sold in Australia during 2006.
Recommended Retail Price – $44,990
Print it: 
*****PRIMO!*****
I like it, they dont sell all that well though?
Cheers
F-0
God damn it! I wanted Victory Yellow but had to settle for Black. Never mind, it looks all the more menacing and angry in black :-)
I’d love one! I’ve been such a good boy averaging five point something per 100 in my Golf these last 2 years, I could easily turn the tables with my next car and say Dang! I want one of these! Or a V8 Sportwagon. Or something.
Good car, but the back is something you need to get used to…
Tis indeed a nice car capable of losing your license and increasing you fuel bill. There was a great ad running on UK TV with all the components of the car flying through corridors and halls migrating to the body shell as iff giving birth to a car. Great car with lotsa French flair.
Brilliant little hatch. Handling and stopping power are incredible, and the straight-line performance is good. Guess what? It’s not AWD. Renault should enter it in the Targa next year.
Awesome car, though you would always have to back it into car spaces to avoid seeing that monstrous arse its sporting. Then again some like it that way.
It’s a shame Renault don’t sell more cars in Australia. The Megane and the Clio in particular do not get the credit they are due.
You’re right, Jimbo. I love its arse! :)
Nice car, one of the very few decent front wheel drive cars on the market.. They just dont sell very well in oz and renault resale is shocking, very popular in europe though, good fun car to drive..
Quite likely handles better then this years F1 car too :)
I was very close to making a purchase on this car, then had to wait for the WRX Sti… but come to think of it, might come back to this, done all the research on it already so…
But once the company car lease rans out, wouldnt mind this car for sure. Love the look of it… in black, red brembos and anthracite wheels, not to mention the rough but raw drive…
Gun of a car to be honest…. again, just waiting now… darn it
Insane car. love everything of it, the hard-ass suspension, the 2.0l T under the hood…
Bought a smashed one for R100 000 which is equal to $15 000 fixed it, now im enjoying it… love the sensation you get when pulling put of a curve…