What to expect from the Renault Megane RS Trophy One-2-One Experience
Two of the hottest of hot hatch models from Renault. The Renauly Megane RS Trophy and the more extreme Trophy-R. Both are spectacularly quick front-wheel-drive cars. Experience both from behind the wheel on the UK's fastest race circuit.
Driving the Trophy and Trophy-R back-to-back highlights the differences between both models but also why the Renault Megane RS models are so highly rated.
First up is the Renault Megane RS Trophy. The RS Trophy features a firmer chassis - with the Renault 4Control four-wheel steering system, limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes behind 19-inch wheels, driven by a 1.8 litre turbo engine with 297BHP through a paddle-shift gearbox, all wrapped in an aggressively styled, bespoke badged front-wheel-drive hot hatch. The result is a fantastic piece of machinery which rewards the driver.
The chassis serves up huge amounts of grip, plenty of enjoyment and a dose of character, which so many modern cars lack.
After the Megane RS Trophy comes the hardcore Trophy-R. Renault have gone to every length to add pace and purpose to the Megane RS Trophy-R by taking weight out of the car, altering and improving the aerodynamics, and transforming its axle and suspension with a flexible set up which can be tuned to the track.
The handling is good, really good! Crisp and stable when turning in, giving plenty of confidence-inspiring steering feel.
The 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the same in the regular Megane Trophy but given the Trophy-R weighs only 1,306kg, it rockets to 60mph from rest in just 5.4-secs and goes on to 163mph through the manual gearbox (Renaultsport deems the heavier dual clutch ‘EDC’ ‘box to be against the ethos of the car).The end result is a truly stunning vehicle.
The Trophy-R is the kind of car that will leave you astonished that a front-driven hatchback can be driven so hard – and it’ll keep coming back lap after lap.
