Renaultsport Megane R26-R | evo News | News | evo (http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/222252/renaultsport-megane-r26-r.html)

The new model is based on the R26 Mégane and uses the same 2-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 227bhp and 229lb ft of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. However, the R26-R also features a shorter-throw gearchange and revised suspension settings.

In addition to this, weight has been reduced by not only ditching the rear bench but also by fitting a carbonfibre bonnet, polycarbonate rear windows, a thinner exhaust system and, inside, one-piece carbon-shelled bucket seats. As a result the R26-R is 125kg lighter than the 1345kg R26, taking its power-to-weight ratio up from 171bhp/ton to 189.

This weight saving helps bring the R26-R’s 0-62mph time down to 6sec dead (from 6.5). That’s 0.1sec quicker than a 2.7-litre Porsche Cayman takes to hit the benchmark speed…

Looks a right bloody mess though don't it !!!

i think its nice , i really really like the new meganes though .....

Its French.

Its French.


..and nasty :mad:

"Likely to be a limited-edition model, the R26-R is the hot hatch equivalent of the 911 GT3 RS" :lol1:

"Likely to be a limited-edition model, the R26-R is the hot hatch equivalent of the 911 GT3 RS" :lol1:

why is that so funny? I don't think you should be laughing at manufacturers who are making affordable driver focused cars at the lower end of the scale. You should be applauding them.

Ripping a few bits out hardly makes it comparable to a GT3 RS!

Ripping a few bits out hardly makes it comparable to a GT3 RS!

Yeah, it's not as if the GT3 RS is a 911 with a load of bits ripped ou...oh, wait, yes it is.

They're not saying it's as good as a GT3 RS, they're saying it's the same concept, which it is.

Lets hope they fixed the awful steering feedback (or lack of).

Looks good- not aesthetically perhaps but a lighter version of an already driver oriented car has to be a good thing.
The naysayers don't have a true motoring bone in their bodies.

Well done Regie!

..and nasty :mad:

Thats what I meant!

Yeah, it's not as if the GT3 RS is a 911 with a load of bits ripped ou...oh, wait, yes it is.

They're not saying it's as good as a GT3 RS, they're saying it's the same concept, which it is.


I have read it again, and yes your right, I took it the wrong way first time round.

i really like it!!!

Well done to Renault for putting this sort of car into production. Based on previous efforts it will be an absolute cracker to drive.

I actually like it too. I am a fan of the other 225 version, but I agree the steering was the worst thing about that car.

Don't underestimate the r26 autocar got one round millbrook faster than the new sti!, a cheaper to run ,buy and insure subaru alternative

Don't underestimate the r26 autocar got one round millbrook faster than the new sti!, a cheaper to run ,buy and insure subaru alternative

I must agree, these cars are not to be underestimated and I think the idea is great.

If the wheels were not red then it would look cool.

Watched these lap the ring on Monday.. they were flying.. ok it was the launch and pro drivers but through planzgarten they were nailing it bigtime with little fuss. Well done renault i say

Bloody loverly motor ! a neighbour had one parked out side the house last week... Massive brembos on it :luvlove:

Don't underestimate the r26 autocar got one round millbrook faster than the new sti!, a cheaper to run ,buy and insure subaru alternative

Reading a road test from Wheels magazine in Australia - beats everything comparable round the track including Evo's and STI's.

^^ Sounds improbable ;)

TX.

Cage as an option?

Doesn't sound too safe in a road car. Least they are trying to build limited editions.

Cage as an option?

Doesn't sound too safe in a road car. Least they are trying to build limited editions.


yup nobody should drive a car with a cage unless wearing a helmet!!


It sounds like a future collectors car...


... you run behind it collecting the bits that fall off :lol1:

boom boom lol

Only the French could venerate a victory in Formula 1 with a canary yellow, stickered-up, big-bummed hot hatch – and simultaneously create the most kick-arse turbo hatch on the current market.

A big statement, but the R26 really blows (in a good way).

The RenaultSport Megane F1 Team R26 (take a breath) is not just a specced-up accessories-only glitter pack. At first, its lurid pearlescent Mardi-Gras paint palette and flagrant flying flag on its buttocks and bald head scream hot-hatch prowess. But it’s what you can’t see that counts on the clock.

Big 12-spoke OZ Racing alloys, four-pot Brembos and big vented 312mm discs secrete RenaultSport’s fantastic Cup suspension, while an LSD works to suck it limpet-like to the road even when that boost wave flushes through. This reduces the need for continual spooling with left-foot braking, and allowing you to flat-foot it through turns that would have turned its competitors’ inside front tyres to mush.

The only criticism on track is shifting up from third – the gate width from 3rd/4th and 5th/6th is almost half the width of 1st/2nd to 3rd/4th - but once learned, the gearbox is an absolute honey.

In the Victorian Dutton Rally championship, our little yellow wasp managed to wipe out Evos ad STis, amplified GT-Rs, tech-tuned Europeans and Aussie V8s with ease, and made this driver look good as well as stand out.

In fact, its competition complained so vehemently to the rally organisers about its overwhelming domination of the scoresheet, that a separate ‘2WD Turbo LSD' class was created. So, it's in a class of its own, then.

Wheels - This <i>year's</i> Wheels (http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/wheels/site/articleIDs/47E204FA12C30232CA2573B80015224D)

Unless they have radically sorted the steering feel then a driver's car it will never be.

Did I read somewhere that one of the ways they save weight is by removing the rear seats? Which would be a shame as it rules it out for a lot of us.

When i look at that all i can picture is Mr T driving it shouting crazy foot out the window

I picked up my R26 last week, a great car for the money....

May not have the greatest steering feel in the world but probably one of the best handling FWD cars I've driven, the LSD does make a big difference. I even like the look of it, but then again, I've had two bug eyed scoobs so what do I know ;) :)

I'm sure the R26R will be a fantastic car and I think Renault should be applauded for producing such a car, especially in the current climate....

With the substantial discount I got, it makes my car the best part of 10k cheaper than a new STi.....

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