The Renault Megane RS Trophy-R Just Beat Up The Civic Type R and Stole Its Nürburgring Crown

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Image: Renault Sport

I don’t put much stock in Nürburgring lap times, or any lap times for that matter, as they relate to how good a performance car actually is to own. That being said, a new front-wheel-drive record-setting time of 7:40.100 means it can go really fast and corner really hard. This new Renault absolutely housed the Civic Type R’s previous record by 3.7 seconds.

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Renault has held the FWD record at the ‘Ring a number of times before with various versions of hot Megane, but the record has most recently been bounced between Civic Type R and hot Golf GTI. This is a serious effort by the French manufacturer to make a statement, as it really went all out for this track-ready hot hatch.

The Megane RS Trophy-R kicks the already hot RS Trophy up a notch by dropping 130 kilograms of weight from the car, tweaking the aero with a new fascia, and working with partner companies to develop the suspension components.

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Details are thin on the ground right now, as Renault hasn’t said exactly what comes with the Trophy-R package, but the video shows a set of lightweight carbon wheels wrapped in near-slick Bridgestones. The car also bears Ohlins, Brembo, Akrapovic, and Sabelt logos, indicating Renault received help with the dampers, brakes, exhaust, and bucket seats respectively.

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The Trophy-R’s 296-horsepower 1.8-liter turbo four remains unchanged from the non-R Trophy, though the car does now see a huge naca-style duct in the hood to feed in cold air, which I imagine does help keep things like intercoolers cooler for long laps like that of the ‘Ring.

I am in love with this tiny French wonder, and I would die for it. Sadly, it will not be sold here in the U.S. market, but 200 lucky sumbitches will get the opportunity to own the world’s quickest [for now] N-ring lapping FWD car.

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The hot hatch nuclear wars never ended, and they’re just getting hotter.