Currently reading: RS Megane 265 Trophy revealed

Renaultsport Megane gets power boost - but the car isn't an R26R successor

Renault has upped the power of its already potent Renaultsport Mégane 250 as part of a raft of changes for this special edition model, the 265 Trophy.

The firm insists the car is not a successor to the hardcore, stripped-out R26R, and is instead a limited edition model with subtle improvements to the RS Mégane’s overall package.

The power of the Trophy’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is increased by 15bhp over the standard car, to 261bhp. Torque is also increased by 15lb ft to 266lb ft. These changes help lower the standard car’s 0-62mph time by 0.1sec to 6.0sec for the Trophy. Top speed is boosted by 2mph to 158mph.

Renaultsport engineers have made no suspension or chassis changes over the standard 250, although it does come with F1-inspired Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres.

Styling tweaks include 19-inch gloss black Speedline alloys with red detailing, Trophy decals for the air intakes and doors, and standard LED daytime running lights. Two metallic paint choices are offered, Liquid Yellow and black.

Inside, the Trophy gets Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts and detailing and a ‘Renaultsport Monitor’ that gives real-time engine performance, acceleration, lap time and g-force data.

Read more on the Renaultsport Megane rally racer

Just 500 units will be produced, 50 of which will be sold in the UK. Each example will get a specially numbered interior plaque.

The Trophy costs from £27,820, a £3800 increase over the entry-level RS Mégane 250 Cup. The first deliveries take place at the end of July and owners will also get free access to all official Renaultsport track days in 2012.

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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