The Renault Mégane Renault Sport (alternatively Renault Mégane RS) is a series of high-performance hatchback models based on the Renault Mégane, produced since 2004 by the high-performance subsidiary company Renault Sport for its parent company Alpine, a subsidiary of Renault.
The Mégane RS won awards such as “Best hot hatch” from What car? (2010–2014), “Highest placed non-supercar” in Evo’s annual Car of the Year test 2011 and “Best hot hatch” from Top Gear.
Renault Sport Mégane 275 Trophy & Trophy-R (2014–2017)
In response to SEAT setting a new record for a Front-wheel drive production car at the Nürburgring race track with the Leon Cupra 280 at 7:58.4, Renault developed the 275 Trophy-R to retake the title a few weeks after.
With Laurent Hurgon driving, the record was reclaimed with a Nürburgring lap time of 7:54.36. The Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R features an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system increasing the power output to 271 bhp (201 kW; 273 PS) at 5,500 rpm while the torque is unchanged at 360 N⋅m (266 lbf⋅ft) at 3,000 rpm.
Other changes include Öhlins dampers with Allevard composite coil springs and 19-inch Speedline Turini wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. A lithium battery results in additional weight saving of 16 kg. The front brakes are changed to a 350mm 2 piece floating rotor (up 10mm) while using the same calipers and rear brakes. On the interior, the sound deadening is removed, as well as the air conditioning, stereo, sat nav and back seats in place of which a rear brace is fitted in place.
The front seats are Recaro “pole position” fixed polycarbonate bucket seats trimmed with leather and Alcantara with Sabelt race harness belts fitted. The total weight saving of all the changes amounts to a 101 kg (223 lb) loss, bringing kerb weight down to 1,280 kg (2,820 lb), 7.5 L/100 km (38 mpg‑imp; 31 mpg‑US) and 174 g/km of CO2/km.
The Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R also set new track records of several others circuits such as the Suzuka circuit, Fuji International Speedway and the Tsukuba circuit.
