Renault's hottest! Megane RS 275 is here

In May 2014, Wheels24 reported that an even more hard-core version of the Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy would be coming to South Africa. We were right - just over a year later, it's here!

Widely regarded as one of the most involving hot-hatches, the Megane RS 275 Trophy arrives in South Africa with a new suffix, more power and (yay!) it keeps keeps the limited-slip differential and Cup chassis!

NEW FLAGSHIP

The 275 Trophy follows the tyre marks of the Mégane RS 265 LUX which arrived in February 2015; it takes the baton from the Mégane RS 265 Trophy which has and becomes the head honcho of the Renault Sport range.

The Mégane RS moniker has been around since 2004: the core principles still remain and at the heart of the new 275 Trophy are the well-proven sporting and technical credentials that have been re-worked and up-scaled.

IMAGE GALLERY: 2015 Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy

Brian Smith, vice-president of marketing and communications at Renault SA, said:"This is an all-round performance car that combines everyday driveability with even sharper track performance.

"The CUP chassis fully taps the potential of the F1-inspired upgraded Renault Sport two-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged, petrol engine which premiered in the 275 Trophy. It has undergone significant fine-tuning and been optimised to produce 201kW."

F1 EXPERTISE

The French automaker has 38 years of Formula 1 expertise under its belt and says its engineering team has successfully transferred its technical wizardry to production cars.

Patrice Ratti, CEO of Renault Sport Technologies, explained: "Our objective was not only to improve the technical specs but also to develop a more distinctive vehicle, visually and a performance-wise. "It's a car that performs even better on the track but which is still suited to everyday motoring."

AKROPOVIC EXHAUST

The car's grille now has RS badging beneath the Renault logo centrepiece. At the rear, the centre-mounted exhaust with its distinctive Akropovic carbon tail-piece, is a fully integrated part of the diffuser.

And, in keeping with its F1 heritage, the aerodynamic, F1-styled, splitter with 275 Trophy lettering in the front bumper, the rear diffuser and lip spoiler are there to keep boy racers happy.

Renault says the 275 Trophy's mean-machine looks have been further enhanced by halogen headlights with white reflective inserts, 19" black Trophy aluminium alloys rims with red Brembo brake calipers, gloss-black external mirrors and front/rear wider wings.

Trophy striping on the rear quarter-panels and decals on the front doors complete the look.

RS FESTOONED

The Trophy's numbered sill guards catch the eye, as do the RS aluminium gear-shifter, RS drilled aluminium pedals, carbon-look facia moulding incorporating RS clusters and logo, and the leather-trimmed armrest/centre console.

Quality and refinement with Renault Sport's classic twist is clearly evident. Driver and passengers will enjoy slipping into the Recaro bucket seats trimmed in an Alcantara (suede) and leather combo with distinctive red top-stitching. The steering-wheel (with centre position stitching) and gear-shifter are suede-covered while the highly visible seat belts serve as a reminder to strap in.

The rear seat is a convenient and practical 60/40 split/fold combination.

Standard creature comforts:

•  Two-zone regulated aircon
•  Electric folding/headable external mirrors, aspherical on driver's side
•  Front one-touch windows with anti-trap
•  Tinted glass windows/quarter panel/ rear screen)
•  Fixed glass roof (extra cost)

ENGINE BOOST

By fine-tuning the exceptionally versatile two-litre quad-valve, four cylinder petrol engine, the RST engineers sought to increase peak torque at 5500rpm by working on the electronic control. The engine was boosted to 205kW. Maximum torque (360Nm) is unchanged and available from 3000-5000rpm.

Fuel-consumption? David Pomonti, RST's powertrain engineering manager, said: "Although the power has been boosted we've reduced average consumption to 7.5 litres/100km and CO² emissions to (Euro 5 compliant) 174 g/km."

TRACK-FOCUSED: The new Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy has the famous CUP chassis and a limited-slip differential. Image: Renault

CUP CHASSIS

Renault's famous Cup chassis with a limited-slip differential is standard on the Trophy. The diff is combined with an independent steering-axis layout allowing the driver to reap the full benefits of the extra traction for more reassuring handling and braking stability.

It all rides on front Macpherson-type suspension with pressed aluminium lower wishbone, rear torsion-beam axle, and an anti-roll bar.

With Akrapovic, a Slovenian company renowned for its work with motorcycles and performance cars, a special titanium exhaust system (with carbon tailpipe trim) was fitted as standard giving the new Trophy a deeper, more penetrating, sound signature.

INTELLIGENT TECH

Super-smart technology, Renault says, is Trophy standard and features and fitments afford an optimum driving experience at every turn.

They include:

•  Carminat TomTom satnav - traffic, weather, places
•  RS Monitor 2.0 (full 3-D race telemetry with data download functionality)
•  RS dynamic management: multi-mode ESP with Normal, Sport and Race modes
•  RS counter with tachometer and analogue rev counter
•  Tilt/height adjustable steering-wheel with electric power assistance
•  Renault hands-free key-card and remote card for central locking.
•  Coded electric immobiliser system
•  Automatic lights and wipers
•  Rear parking camera (option)
•  Manual parking brake
•  Bluetooth hands-free connectivity
•  Cruise control + speed limiter
•  RadioSat Classic, CD MP3 with USB, auxiliary port and fingertip controls behind the steering wheel

SAFETY

Comprehensive passive and active safety features:

•  Anti-lock braking and emergency fluid pressure
•  Electronic stability control which reduces engine power and brakes individual wheels
•  Anti-slip, anti-skid, understeer control
•  Six crash bags (front, side, curtain)
•  Front self-adaptive driver and front passenger crash bags
•  Lockable front passenger crash bag
•  Tyre-pressure monitor

ADVANCED DRIVER TRAINING

Renault is committed to responsible and safe driving and offers Advanced Driver Training to the drivers of Renault Sport vehicles, as well as all Renault owners and even the general public.

The Renault Advanced Driver Training programme, a courtesy to all Renault Sport customers, provides a broad and comprehensive range of advanced driver training that includes not only the high performance race track and skid pan courses, but also training that assist in the day-to-day hazards that face drivers on our public roads.

The 275 Trophy is sold with a 5-year/150 000km mechanical warranty plan and a 5-year/90 000km service plan.

PRICE

Megane Renault Sport 275 2.0 Turbo Trophy - R449 900

DARK AND BEAUTIFUL: A six-speed manual does the work in the Megane RS flagship 275 Trophy. Image: Renault