THE Renault Megane RS it was once the king of the hot hatch — it was the fastest (front wheel drive) and the most exciting to cond… drive. Then came the Honda Civic Type R, a machine with a diabolic “armor”, reflecting its greater speed and efficiency — albeit with a timid voice. It is now the benchmark of the class and Honda has not looked to make efforts to announce it as king of hot hatch — several European circuits have been invaded by the Civic Type R, where it has beaten, without appeal or grievance, the record for the fastest traction front (FWD).
Would Renault Sport remain silent and watch its throne be usurped? Of course not…
Earlier this year we got to know the new Renault Mégane RS, and it was quite impressive dynamically. It introduced the 4CONTROL system (directional rear axle) — capable of increasing agility and stability — and four hydraulic compression stops on the shock absorbers (almost like a shock absorber inside a shock absorber), which not only allows more efficiency on any floor, but also improves comfort levels on board.
But with 280 hp — taken from a new 1.8 Turbo, the same engine as the Alpine A110 — despite ensuring all the performance we need, it's simply not enough to challenge the (new) king. Renault Sport was quick to promise a more powerful and effective Renault Mégane RS Trophy … et voila!
What's new in the Mégane RS Trophy?
Essentially most of all. The 1.8 Turbo sees power grow to 300 hp and torque is now 420 Nm (400 Nm with manual gearbox); and the chassis was also provided with more arguments.
Increasing power from 1.8 to 300 hp and simultaneously dealing with the Euro6d-Temp standard and WLTP would not be easy. Renault Sport had to install a particulate filter, which increased the back pressure in the exhaust system. To get around that, Renault Sport focused on the turbo — which spins at approximately 200,000 rpm — to achieve higher numbers and sharper engine response. To do so, he went to Formula 1 to get the technology he needed — the turbo bearing is now ceramic , which is lighter, stronger and has less friction than those made of steel; which reduces turbo response time.
The engine can be coupled, as in the Mégane RS we already know, to a six-speed manual transmission or to a six-speed EDC gearbox. With the manual gearbox, the new RS Trophy accelerates up to 100 km/h in 5.7s and reaches 260 km/h of top speed.
The exhaust system also had the attention of Renault Sport engineers, as it was the first RS to integrate a mechanical valve, guaranteeing two levels of noise. With the valve closed, everything is more civilized, filtering out the low frequencies; with this open, the gases flow with less resistance, when traveling a more direct path, increasing the volume of the sound, and making better use of the engine's potential.
Enhance the chassis
The Renault Mégane RS Trophy comes as standard with the Cup chassis, which means, compared to the Sport chassis, 25% firmer dampers, 30% springs, 10% stiffer stabilizer bars, Torsen self-locking (with specific calibration for the Trophy).
The novelty passes through the two-material brakes — aluminum and steel — removing 1.8 kg per wheel, reducing unsprung masses and able to more effectively dissipate heat in intensive use, making them more resistant to fatigue.
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Jerez 19″ wheels are specific for the RS Trophy, wrapped in 245/35 Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres, and from 2019 Fuji will be available, also 19″, lighter at 2 kg each , with Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires — these in a specific version for the Mégane RS Trophy — which, according to the brand, also allow sharper changes in direction, more grip and durability in sporty driving — it will be with these wheels and tires that we'll see Does the Megane RS Trophy attack “green hell”?
Derrière closer to the asphalt
To get that hundredth less in circuit, every detail is important. As we have seen, the Renault Mégane RS Trophy has 20 hp more and reduces unsprung masses through new brake discs and future Fuji wheels.
The center of gravity can also benefit if we opt for the new Alcantara-coated Recaro seats — redesigned from those installed on the predecessor Mégane RS Trophy — which allow for greater height amplitude, bringing the nose 20 mm closer to the asphalt — hey, all the details help…
Will it be enough to dethrone the Honda Civic Type R as king of the hot hatch? We will have to wait longer until the end of the year to find out, when the Renault Mégane RS Trophy is expected to hit the market.
