Megane R26.R - hot hatch, Renault style
Wednesday July 23, 2008
The details of the latest front wheel drive rocket from Renault have been released. The Renault Megane II Renault Sport R26.R, to give it its full title, is based on the Renault Megane II Renault Sport F1 Team R26. The engine remains unchanged, with the 1998 cc twin cam 16 valve four cylinder turbocharged unit mounted transversely in the front. The power and torque figures for this engine are 230 PS (169 kW) at 5500 rpm and 310 Nm (229 ftlb) at 3000 rpm. With the rear seats removed and various weight saving measures in place, the lighter R26.R shaves a claimed 0.5 seconds off the 0-100 km/h sprint, now 6 seconds dead, and 0.7 seconds off the standing start kilometre, now covered in 25.7 seconds. Renault are the latest manufacturer to boast about a Nürburgring lap time, claiming the record for the fastest lap for front wheel drive cars, with a lap of 8:17 for the R26.R. To honour this achievement, each R26.R has the Nürburgring course outline and the lap time etched into the rear side window glass.
Only 450 examples of the R26.R are to be produced, with the UK getting the lion's share of production, with 230 examples earmarked for their market. France gets 126 units, and the remainder will go on sale in other European countries.
Only 450 examples of the R26.R are to be produced, with the UK getting the lion's share of production, with 230 examples earmarked for their market. France gets 126 units, and the remainder will go on sale in other European countries.
