Well it's a proud day to be a RenaultSport owner I think. Admittedly that's not exactly a cheap spec to get it that fast but then again it's an exceptional time for a hot hatch so it's going to have a fairly exceptional time for a hot hatch as well. It's nice to see that RenaultSport are able to exploit the chassis of their cars without just bumping the power up. Bearing in mind we had the Focus RS with 300bhp and the .R with 230bhp was as capable on track. It gives RenaultSport the scope to up their power figures a little for the next model and maintain their reputation.
When you go and look at that cars that this Megane is faster than or on a par with time wise round the ring, it is quite incredible really.
you see Laurent Hurgon said they could have gone faster. apparently the record day was slippery. on the basis of the tyres and suspension alone I did think it would crack 7m50 tbh it's 100kg lighter, 10bhp more and bigger brakes - must be more time in the bag to go faster!
so the spec Think of the new RS 275 Trophy-R as the GT3 of Meganes, thanks to a 2.0-litre turbo tuned to 271bhp (275ps in metric, hence the name) and a crash diet stripping 100kg from its kerb weight DFV (Dual Flow Valve) Road&Track Ohlins dampers (with remote clicker adjuster using a knob on the lower part of the instrument cluster) adjustable by 20 steps at the front and 30 at the rear. Renaultsport will suggest damper settings on its website for different circumstances, including the ones it used on the Trophy-R’s record run on the Nordschleife Clio 200 style hydraulic bump stops up front and fancy Allevard composite epoxy/fibre glass springs saving another 2kg. lightweight Akrapovic titanium exhaust system Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires insulating materials are gone (18kg), the rear bench had to be removed saving 20kg, while the deletion of the air-con and radio drops the scales by another 10kg. The air-con, radio and the Renault R-Link onboard multimedia system will be still available as options. single-piece Recaro composite seats save another 22kg and even the rear wiper has been thrown away in order to save one more kilo. An optional Nurburgring Pack with lithium ion battery (-16kg), 'Performance' brakes with bigger 350mm discs on aluminium bells – with a diameter of 350mm, up from the standard 340mm – mounted on aluminium bowls. Using aluminium reduces the unsprung mass by 3kg, while the use of wider discs leads to a 100°C reduction in the operating temperature. (-3kg) Sabelt harnesses, wheel bags for your track rubber and a retaining strap to stop them rattling around A two-tone paintjob can be specified on the outside while the standard black 19-inch Speedline Turini wheels can be ordered in red, matching the colour of the front splitter and motorsport decals.
options: • Red finish for the 19” ‘Turini’ Speedline alloy wheels in lieu of black £250 • Metallic paint £525 • Renault i.d. paint: pearlescent Arctic White with black roof £625 • Renault i.d. paint: pearlescent Liquid Yellow £1,300 • Electrically operated, heated and folding door mirrors £150 • Emergency spare wheel £95 • Rear parking camera £350 • Climate Pack (Automatic dual zone climate control and Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers) £500 • Renaultsport Monitor v1 £200 • Radio/CD with R-Link multimedia system with Renaultsport Monitor v2 £500 • Lithium ion battery – tbc • Sabelt harnesses – tbc • Performance brake pack – tbc • 4 spare wheel covers – tbc
As an Ohlins dealer I have asked when we can get hold of this suspension kit. Will keep you all updated.
Nice car, looks lovely. However I thought it will be bit quicker around ring. It is still good time, but all that "hype" about Under8 suggested that they will set time for years. Civic TR may beat it soon, with Tiago M behind the wheel. Price is quite high, but I am sure it will be half price in 2 years time
I said that earlier, but the reply made sense. They can up the power at anytime, hence seat going again, up the Megane power and go again. ( maybe me being silly, are r888 or ns2r better??) if so then could possible change to them.
We're working on a larger 2 piece kit at the moment for the 250 so no need to get second mortgage for Renault ones
£36430 on Evos twitter feed !!!!!! Good spec or not that's a shed load of cash for a Renault !!!!!!!!!!
I don't think R888s etc will be a patch on Cups. A bit like with the T1R compared to PS2s - good, but there's a reason they're cheaper.
Pilot Sport Cups 2 are pretty much the ultimate Semi Slick tyre. The lap time could be quicker with a different driver
Watching the film of the lap on Youtube it looked like he was ragging the tits off it, not sure he could have gone much quicker, in places the car was definitely at its limit.
I think they should hire proper successful rally/race driver for that job. Vettel or Ricardo could do good job, however I may feeling that after Kubica's accident top drivers can't play outside their "job".
Lol, No. Why use someone like that, If you want to set a fast Ring time you need to use someone with loads of laps under their belt there, HVS or one of the VLN drivers, Not an internal test driver like Hurgon, Who don't get me wrong is a fantastic quick driver and knows the Megane inside out but there are quicker out there.
You have poor knowledge about rallies and RK, so I will forgive you that no sense you have written. Kubica, even with one working arm could set better time on a ring. Check his DTM test last year, or pace during Monte Carlo Rally 2014. He is natural talent, and current WRC2 champion.
You'll never get a current F1 driver doing it. And why choose drivers who have no fwd experience. Seat used Gene, one of their factory WTCC drivers. I'd put Andrew Jordan in, give him 20 laps and he'll be on it. Red Bull driver links to Renault engines.
It it lapped Nurburgring faster than a Ferrari F430. £36k is the bargain of the century compared to that ! http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.html
I think folks are getting too hung up on the price. Yes the top spec 275-R is 36k, there's no doubting it is expensive but what did people think it was going to be? With all the bells and whistles ticked on the option box it is a hugely well specced car and clearly goes like stink. There won't be many in a position to happily go out and buy one but credit to Renault for building it and good luck to anyone thinking of getting one. The 275 Trophy will sell well I think and will be more than enough for 99% of future owners. That's the one I want! (After someone else has taken the depreciation hit)
I agree, this (in my eyes) was purely an exercise to prove they can to put them at the top of the hot hatch tree and they've managed it. Look at the attention this has got in the motoring press and on various forums. Basically Renault once again have gone out to prove a point, like with the R26.R to beat the Focus RS this 275.R is out to put RenaultSport at the top. They only need to sell a handful to have it considered a road car even though it's not cheap. It's a brilliant bit of marketing in my opinion and also a great exercise in proving what a FWD car can do without having to have crazy bhp!
Rung 2 dealers in my area, 1st one never knew of a rs275r, good start, next one was bit more helpful. He is looking into how the 30 R,s will be sold, by Renault themselves or by dealerships. Asked if the price was set in stone, but he could not say till he done some research.
But it's only a few seconds quicker than the Seat and over a 12 mile course that's hardly anything. Now look at both the cars and it begins to look like the Seats the better car IMO. To gain that tiny advantage the megane needed a stripped out interior, adjustable coilover suspension and super sticky tyres. In comparison the Seat is pretty much a normal specced everyday hatchback.
