Renault used this week's British motor show to unveil the hottest version yet of its bubble-bummed Megane -- and it didn't exactly opt for a shy and retiring colour scheme for the vehicle in question.
The lairy orange and grey hatchback you see here is known as the Mégane Renaultsport R26.R, and it's a development of the already rapid Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26.
For the latest R-rated version, Renault opted to retain the donor car's engine, gearbox and limited-slip differential, but substantially improved the power/weight equation by lopping a sizeable 123kg from the car's kerb mass.
The Jenny Craig-style weight loss was achieved by ditching the following: rear seats and seat belts, passenger airbag and curtain airbags (the driver's airbag remains), climate control (air conditioning remains as standard), rear wash/wipe and heated rear window, front fog lamps, headlamp washers, radio/CD player and most of the soundproofing.
Further savings were reaped via a carbonfibre bonnet (saves 7.5kg), polycarbonate tailgate and rear side windows (saves 5.7kg) and Sabelt seats with carbonfibre shell and aluminium base (saves 25kg).
The R26.R also scores new springs and dampers, a slightly widened track and grooved (rather than drilled) brake discs.
The results aren't too shabby either, as Renault is boasting of a Nürburgring lap time of 8min 17sec -- the fastest to date for a front-wheel-drive production car. Make no mistake, this represents a cracking lap as anything that can circulate the 'Green Hell' in the low-eight-minute bracket is an unquestionably quick device.
Now for the bad news... just 450 examples of the R26.R will be produced, and more than half of these are UK-bound; no word as yet on whether a handful may end up on our shores.
The rip-snorting Renault goes on sale in Europe in October and will be priced from $47K in the UK. It seems quite good value as the Megane Sport 225 Cup currently sold here costs $44,490.
Renault says the new performance flagship was developed to "offer customers who enjoy track days a car with an unrivalled performance per pound ratio” and to be "an enthusiast's icon".
The odds of losing it in a crowded car park are minimal as, apart from the in-yer-face colour scheme, the limited-edition Megane also sports 18-inch alloys and R26.R decals and logos. The interior ain't exactly subtle either, with liberal use of bright orange for the harnesses and rollcage.
Fast facts - Renault Megane Renaultsport R26.R
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 169kW
Torque: 310Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Suspension: MacPherson strut (front); torsion beam (rear)
Kerb weight: 1230kg
0-100km/h: 6.0sec (claimed)
Standing 400m: 13.9sec (claimed)
» Watch the Carsales Network's video on the Renault Megane R26 here
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