NEW 2018 RENAULT MEGANE RS TROPHY SPIED AT NURBURGRING

Renault's upcoming Megane RS Trophy hot hatch is being prepared with more power and a proper differential... Renault's, as we know, are considered as having some of the best chassis designs around, and any improvement is guaranteed to be a success.

The latest Renault Megane RS has just hit showrooms in Europe, but an even harder version of the French firm’s flagship hot hatch – and Volkswagen Golf GTI rival – is on the horizon, as suggested by these brand new spy shots taken at the Nurburgring.

It’s a Trophy branded version of the Megane RS, which will boast more power and substantial chassis and suspension tweaks in a bid to propel the hot Megane closer to more raucous members of the current hot hatch crop, such as the Honda Civic Type R.

Confirmed at the reveal of the regular car, Renault will use the same 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but power and torque will swell to around 295bhp and 400Nm, slashing the 5.8 second 0-100km/h by a few tenths.

Alongside a more rigid Cup chassis, the Megane RS Trophy will boast a trick suspension setup, a proper limited slip differential and bodywork revisions intended to improve aerodynamic efficiency and downforce. Our spy shots suggest that these visual changes will be light though, as obvious changes on this Trophy mule are few and far between. A new set of lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels can be spotted, however.

Buyers are unlikely to be offered the same choice of automatic EDC transmission or six-speed manual as on the regular Megane RS, with the Trophy earmarked for the latter only.

With sales of the Megane RS underway, it’s likely we could see wraps come off the harder Trophy later this year. The Paris Motor Show is Europe’s next big car show, and takes place this October – a debut there might make sense if the Megane RS Trophy is indeed just around the corner.

Renault fan? Let us know your thoughts on the new 2018 Megan RS in the comment sections below...