22 Jul 08 11:33
The Renaultsport Megane R26 R has set a record as the fastest front-wheel-drive production car round the Nurburgring, says Renault: it's lapped in an impressive 8 minutes, 17 seconds (figures now etched into the side windows).
Some 123kg lighter than the standard Renaultsport Megane 230 R26, it clocks in at 1,230kg, thanks to its stripped-out two-seat interior, carbon-fibre bonnet, polycarbonate windows and tailgate glass, and other lightweight components.
All airbags bar the driver's have been deleted, along with climate control (a basic air con system remains), rear wash/wipe and heated window, headlamp washers, radio/CD, front fog lamps and most of the sound-proofing, and carbon-fibre/aluminium front seats with six-point harnesses fitted.
The full race-car effect is achieved with the optional roll cage and optional titanium exhaust. New front and rear suspension springs are fitted, along with recalibrated shock absorbers, stiffer bushings, grooved brake discs and new, differently-offset, 18" alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres (Toyo Proxes are optional).
Power comes from the R26's 230bhp unit, but given the weight reduction, the R26 R is quicker: 0-62mph in six seconds, 0-1000m in 25.9 seconds. Yet it'll still return 33.2pg and 199g/km.
Just 450 examples will be made, 230 of these destined for the UK. Prices start from £22,990, with glacier white paint a £150 option, metallic paint £150, pearlescent paint an extra £1,200 and black alloy wheels £120. Other option prices released include those for climate control (£460) and the roll cage/Toyo tyres pack (£700).
Also on the Renault stand is the Megane Coupe Concept, as seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Renault UK MD Roland Bouchara told 4Car 'The production car will be 80% of this concept,' says, which probably means that the gullwing doors will go.'
Renault's other show stars are Laguna Coupe, recently-launched Twingo Renaultsport 133, Clio Sport Tourer, Grand Modus, new Kangoo, Koleos SUV and Laguna GT.
Bouchara also reiterated Renault's plans to launch an electric vehicle in Europe in 2012, in the UK 'in time for the London Olympics'. Renault has already done a deal with Israeli EV infrastructure-developers Project Better Place for a trial programme in Denmark.
Check out the rest of our British Motor Show coverage.
