Mégane’s last hurrah

The heat is on at Renault, thanks to the limited-run Mégane R26.R. It’s a final fling for the hatch, which will be replaced next year by an all-new model – and this dramatic Renaultsport version is a fitting send-off.

The French firm pulled the wraps off the car this morning at the British Motor Show. The UK is one of the keenest hot hatch markets in the world, so more than half of the R26.R allocation – 230 out of 450 models – is coming here.

While the existing 227bhp engine from the standard R26 remains, performance is boosted thanks to the removal of the rear seats, foglamps and rear wiper. What’s more, the bonnet is now made of carbon fibre and the tailgate glass and rear side windows are replaced by polycarbonate plastic. As a result, total weight is down by 120kg to a super-light 1,230kg, which has all helped the R26.R to lap the hallowed Nurburgring in eight minutes and 17 seconds – that's the fastest time ever set by a front-wheel-drive car.

Inside, the carbon-shelled Sabelt seats get six-point harnesses. There are new springs and dampers at each corner designed to sharpen the handling, the six-speed gearbox has a short-shift gearlever and the alloy wheels are lighter than standard. A roll cage and a titanium exhaust are available as options, while owners can select Toyo R888 semi-slick trackday tyres to replace the standard Michelin Pilot Sports.

The car also gets new colours: Lunar Grey, Racing Blue and Pearl White. Prices will be confirmed nearer the car’s October on-sale date, but expect to pay around £23,500 – £3,000 more than a standard R26.

FOR OUR EXCLUSIVE BRITISH MOTOR SHOW 2008 VIDEO OF THE R26.R CLICK HERE!

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