Renault has created an absolutely scorching hot-hatch based on the already potent Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26.
The Mégane Renaultsport R26.R is a spectacular race-ready performance hatch which has earned the title of the fastest front-wheel-drive production car in the world.
The road-registrable R26.R officially achieved a new front-driven lap record at the benchmark Nürburgring circuit of just 8 minutes and 17 seconds.
The R26.R retains the same engine, gearbox and limited slip differential from the R26, however loses a not insignificant 123kg over the standard car.
This has been achieved by deleting the entire rear seats, passenger and curtain airbags, climate control, front fog lamps, headlamp washers, stereo and much of the soundproofing.
Together with this, the R26.R also substitutes a carbon fibre bonnet, polycarbonate tailgate and rear side windows, and Sabelt seats with carbon fibre shell and aluminium base saving 38.2kg in total for a total kerb weight of 1230kg.
The four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 171kW and 310Nm through a six-speed manual transmission, resulting in brisk 0-100km/h performance of 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 237km/h.
The braking package consists of large 312mm ventilated discs and Brembo 4 piston callipers at the front with single piston callipers at the rear set behind 18″ alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres.
The already competent suspension setup gains new front and rear springs, recalibrated shock absorbers and stiffer lower arm brushes.
Only 450 examples will be built worldwide, however despite Renault’s past record with hot Méganes in the past, none have been allocated for the Australian market.
