The Renault Megane R26.R is the most hardcore hot hatch imaginable. It’s based on the brilliant R26 Megane, but it’s been put on a crash diet and lost a staggering 123kg. That’s the equivalent of 19-stone or the weight of one incredibly fat bloke.
It wasn’t as if the standard R26 was a porker, but Renault has been ruthless with its weight-cutting. The rear seats have been replaced with a roll cage, there’s a carbon fibre bonnet, glassfibre boot lid and race Recaros up front. Not enough? Well, the lightweight alloys now come with super-sticky racing rubber, there's a titanium exhaust and all the windows have been replaced with polycarbonate, which isn’t only lighter than glass but stronger too.
The Megane R26.R hits 60mph in six seconds flat, which is half a second quicker than the standard car. Renault is claiming the Megane R26.R is the fastest front-wheel driven car ever to have lapped the Nurburgring. That’s despite using exactly the same 227bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre engine as the standard R26.
This ultimate track day weapon goes on sale in October for £22,990 although production will be limited to just 450 units worldwide. The new Ford Focus RS should be very worried.
Like the Renault Megane R26.R? Then you'll love: