Hottest Megane still available

RENAULT Australia has ordered a further 20 examples of its three-door F1 Team R26 Megane hot-hatch, which will be priced $1000 higher than the 80 all-black versions released in August last year.

Priced at $44,990, Australia's second shipment of R26-badged Meganes will this time be available exclusively in the Victory Yellow paint colour, as produced by the Renault Sport factory.

The R26 was built to commemorate the French company's back-to-back Formula One championship wins in 2005 and 2006, and follows the 2005 title-celebrating limited-edition RenaultSport hatch released here in July 2006. Just 40 of those, painted only in Alp Blue, came to Australia.



“Demand for the R26 was very high from the day it went on sale,” said Renault Australia managing director, Rudi Koenig.

“Even though it has been very popular in Europe we have been able to source some additional production. In doing so we limited the order to 20, making sure we protect its appeal as a special-edition.”The R26 is based on the three-door Megane RenaultSport 225 but offers an extra 3kW of peak power, Brembo brakes and a limited-slip differential.

Its standard 'Cup Chassis’ suspension is available as an optional extra on the five-door Megane RenaultSport 225. It features specific dampers with increased travel, stiffer springs and a new front anti-roll bar.

The hottest Megane's turbocharged 2.0-litre 16-valve four-cylinder produces 168kW at 5500rpm and 310Nm of torque from 3000rpm - thanks to unique engine calibration and a new exhaust. The R26's traction/stability control system has also been modified.

Mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission, it's claimed to offer 90 per cent of peak torque between 2000 and 6000rpm.

The F1 Team Megane is differentiated from other Renault Sport small-cars via unique Renault F1 Team decals on the bumpers, doors and roof, plus its standard 18-inch alloy wheels.

An individually numbered build plaque resides inside under the handbrake, along with other standard equipment including automatic Xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, climate-control, cruise control with speed-limiter and power windows/mirrors.