2018 RENAULT MEGANE RS TROPHY: PERFORMANCE SPECS
Renault has released performance specs for its 2018 Renault Megane RS Trophy.
First, there was the new Renault Megane RS, then the Megane RS Cup made its appearance and now there’s yet another version to tickle your fancy. And, if you like 220kW+ hot hatches, then the Trophy might be right up your alley.
Let's get into it then, shall we? There's an all-new friction-reducing ceramic turbocharger bearing as well as a new valve-fitted exhaust that increases the volume of air flowing through the engine. Combined, these new additions increase power from 206kW to 220kW while the latter has altered the sound from the tailpipes.
A standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed dual-clutch gearbox sends all that power to the front wheels, the manual rises from 390Nm to 400Nm but choose Renault's paddle-shift DCT and you'll relish as much as 420Nm.
So far there are only numbers available for the manual Trophy, which does 0-100kph in 5.7sec – only one-tenth down from the RS version – topping out six kays faster at 260kph.
Renaultsport tapped into their F1 tech for the low-inertia turbo, leaning on this know-how to help them gain power despite a new emissions filter that increases backpressure in the combustion process.
There's a lot more going on under the skin too. For instance, the Trophy sports 355mm Brembo front brakes which use a ‘bi-material’ alloy that saves 1.8kg per disc and, apparently, reduces brake fade on track. The standard Megane Cup chassis is running 25 per cent firmer shocks, 30 per cent stiffer springs, and 10 per cent stiffer anti-roll bars than the base-spec RS Megane Sport, which all collaborate to give you better lap times.
There are also new Recaro buckets seats that sit 20mm lower and hold you more snugly than the standard RS's controversial Renault-branded seats.
The Trophy is kitted with freshly designed 19-inch alloys and, next year, there’ll be a 2kg lighter 19-inch rim on offer too, wrapped in bespoke Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres.
Renaultsport has reworked their contentious 4Control four-wheel steering system to reduce it's turbulent and irregular inputs. Hopefully, this will reign in the RS Megane’s erratic drive and handling balance and put it in contention once again for the hot hatch honours against the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai i30N.
It's going to be one helluva battle if they've got it right...