New Renault Megane RS Trophy-R Is Unstoppable, Sets Another Track Record

For a front-wheel drive hot hatch, the 2020 Renault Megane RS Trophy-R is very expensive, but it’s also very fast.

So far, it holds the crown for the fastest FWD production car at several tracks, including the Nurburgring Nordschleife and Spa-Francorchamps, and another circuit has been added to that list: Australia’s The Bend Motorsport Park.

The Ford Focus ST, Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI challenger ran the course in 2:14.316, with James Moffat, Garry Rogers Motorsport TCR Australia driver, behind the wheel.

Review: Renault Megane RS Trophy-R Proves Less Is More; Much More

“To be able to take a road car and put it onto a track such as The Bend Motorsport Park and set a record time at the circuit that rivaled the times of the production cars racing here this weekend really shows the capabilities of the car”, said Moffat.

“The Megane RS Trophy-R was first of all a great fun car to drive, and I was very impressed with not only the engine performance, but the braking and cornering performance, I really have nothing but good things to say about it, it was just so much fun”, he added.

Limited to 500 units worldwide, including 12 destined for Australia, the Megane RS Trophy-R starts at AU$74,990 (US$51,080) and customer deliveries will begin next year. The Megane RS Trophy starts at AU$52,990 (US$36,094) and the regular Megane RS can be had from AU$45,990 (US$31,326) and AU$48,990 (US$33,370) in Sport and Cup spec, respectively.

Renaultsport has also announced the launch of the Megane RS Trophy-R Record Breaking special edition, which will rock the same spec as the car that broke the Nurburgring lap record. Production is limited to 30 units worldwide and one of them will launch Down Under next year, via a public auction.