Renault will attempt a sub-eight minute Nürburgring lap time in June with this hotter version of the Renaultsport Mégane 265.
This test mule was one of two caught performance testing at the Nürburgring late last week, suggesting Renault is mulling over different set-ups for the car which will bid to snatch back the lap record for a front-wheel-drive production car from Seat and its Leon Cupra 280 model.
The Leon set a new fastest time on the Nordschleife circuit of 7m58.4s last month, with an average speed of 96.8mph.
Renault has twice before held this record, most recently with the Mégane 265 at 8m7.97s, and it is looking to give the current Mégane one last hurrah before an all-new model is launched next year.
A photo posted on Renault's Facebook page last week revealed an 'Under 8' graphic, first hinting at the project. A second picture revealed the rear of a Renaultsport car with a performance exhaust system provided by Slovenian manufacturer Akrapovič.
These spy images of the mule, which did around 80 per cent of the testing at the Nürburgring last week – alongside a white model – reveal a lowered chassis, new alloy wheels, and larger brakes.
Renault named Michelin and Ohlins alongside Akrapovič in being involved in the Under 8 project, suggesting bespoke tyres, an overhauled suspension system and a performance exhaust are the chief changes to shave the more than 10.0sec needed off the Mégane 265's lap time to snatch the record back from Seat.
Should all go to plan, the 'Ring record Mégane is expected to make production in the summer as a run-out edition for the current Mégane. A similar tactic was used by Renault with the previous RS Mégane and the R26 version.
The R26 also spawned an even more extreme, stripped-out R26.R version, but a similar tactic this time around is considered unlikely as the R26.R struggled to achieve commercial success despite breaking the front-wheel-drive 'Ring record in 2008.
An update on the project is due on 16 June, according to Renault.
Renault isn't the only manufacturer aiming to break records at the famous track, as competition from within the Volkswagen Group has seen a new 'Super GTI' version of the Golf take to the Nürburgring in recent weeks.
Another contender for the front-wheel-drive record is the Honda Civic Type R, although that car is still a year away from showrooms.
Peugeot is also thought to be considering a production version of its 308 R concept to better link its road car activites with its expanding motorsport portfolio, and the 'Ring record would play a key marketing role in this.
Join the debate
Add your comment
-
Interesting...
Its even more amazing when you consider that these cars car do 40mpg and nip down to the shops for the shopping and pick the kids up on the way back.
Autocar need to get Sutters all these potential 8 minute cars and book the ring for a couple of hours and see what each production road car will do. I think the results would be more in the 8:15-8:30 times..
40 mpg?
If you can get 40mpg out of a Megane 265, or any of the current breed of turbo hatches, you're clearly not driving it in the way its makers intended. Best I've seen from my 265 was 34mpg, on a 200 mile round trip to Bristol on the M4 with zero holdups. 40mpg is a distant memory!
Should Honda be worried?
Their board must keep signing off more power increases to the Type R!