Renault Megane RS Trophy-R here in 2020

RENAULT Australia has secured just 20 examples of the Nurburgring-blitzing Megane RS Trophy-R hot hatch for local consumption, as well as 100 limited-edition Trophy grades and a single Trophy-R Record.

Due to arrive in early 2020, customers can register interest in either the Trophy or Trophy-R via a new online portal that will also handle sales, while the Trophy-R Record will be auctioned off to the general public at a later date.

Australian pricing and specification are yet to be revealed, but Renault Australua has confirmed the Trophy-R will be exclusively paired to a six-speed manual transmission and finished in a single exterior colour – pearl white with red detailing.

For reference, the current Megane RS line-up kicks off at $45,990 plus on-road costs for the manual Sport, rising to $48,990 for the Cup. Six-speed dual-clutch automatic variants are also available priced at $50,490 and $51,990 for the Sport and Cup versions respectively.

As such, expect to see the Trophy and Trophy-R variants edge closer to the $60,000 barrier.

Powered by a 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine, the Trophy and Trophy-R develops the same 221kW at 6000rpm and 400Nm of torque, with drive sent exclusively to the front axle.

Compared with the existing Megane RS Sport and Cup versions, the Trophy and Trophy-R produce 16kW/10Nm more.

However, the new French hot hatch’s performance capabilities are lifted not just in engine output, but also as a result of reduced weight and tweaked suspension settings.

Specifically, the Trophy-R loses 130kg as a result of the deletion of rear seats and the swapping out of the exhaust system for a lighter Akrapovic titanium unit.

The single Trophy-R Record also gains carbon-fibre 19-inch wheels made by Carbon Revolution in Geelong as well as larger 390mm carbon-ceramic front brakes.

Suspension has been given a tickle with the front axle featuring more negative camber, a lighter rear axle and Ohlins shock absorbers, while tyres are now Bridgestone Potenza S007s.

Aerodynamics have also been improved thanks to the fitment of new underbody fairings, a NACA air intake, brake ventilation and a bigger rear diffuser.

As a result, the Megane RS Trophy-R nabbed the record for the quickest production front-drive car at the Nurburgring in April with a time of 7:40.100.

Renault Australia managing director Anouk Poelmann said the Trophy versions of the Megane RS are expected to do well in the local performance-hungry market.

“The strong customer interest in the Megane RS Trophy-R is testament to the place this Renault Sport prepared vehicle has within the Renault family and in the hearts of car enthusiasts across Australia,” she said.

“It is important that every Australian, regardless of their location, is given the opportunity to be part of the exclusive Megane RS Trophy-R club and it is for this reason we have made the decision to bring the car to market in this new and exciting way for Renault Australia.”