Hardcore Renault Megane RS Trophy-R Ditches Rear Seats For Nürburgring Lap Record

Most fast car enthusiasts would be more than happy to have the high-performance Renault Megane RS Trophy in their garage.

Thanks to 300 PS (296 hp) and up to 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque from a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the French hot hatch is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 260 km/h (161 mph).

Obviously, it’s not only fast in a straight line. The standard Cup chassis, Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential, four-wheel steering, and uprated brakes ensure that the Megane RS Trophy shines on twisty mountain roads and race circuits alike.

All that sounds great, but if Renault Sport’s history taught us something it’s that previous Megane RS generations offered even more hardcore versions of the Trophy, focused on breaking Nürburgring Nordschleife lap records. That’s likely what these spy shots show us, a Trophy-R version of the latest Megane RS.

The fact that our photographers spotted it lapping the Nürburgring should come as no surprise to anyone, but the presence of both visible and hidden modifications should. First of all, it features a vented bonnet with a big bump in the middle that may or may not hide a scoop. Then there’s the red wing in the front bumper that reminds us of the previous Megane RS 275 Trophy-R, which also had its wing painted red.

The fact that the center of the wing is covered by white tape is also a strong clue since on the predecessor model, that’s where the “Trophy-R” lettering stood. Also at the front, the standard Megane RS’ multi-reflector LED lights in the bumper are gone, allowing the engine to suck in more air.

Viewed from the side, this hardcore Megane RS Trophy prototype features a lot of white camouflage material on the doors that we can’t really wrap our heads around. We can only assume the white material is there to conceal the red accents Trophy-R models typically get. The track-focused alloys and uprated brakes with perforated front discs complete the exterior changes.

As for the interior, our spy photographers couldn’t take a look, but the exterior shots do reveal a red steel bar where the rear seats should be. The absence of a rear bench confirms our assumptions about this prototype being the Megane RS Trophy-R. It remains to be seen whether Renault Sport will give the hardcore model more power, considering that it will be the lightest in the lineup.

Photo credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops