Renault Megane Renaultsport Trophy

(from Renault Press Release)  Renault has released official pictures of its awesome Mégane Renaultsport Trophy racer following the car’s recent debut at the Paris Motor Show. Although motorists will not see the show-stealing 320hp Mégane Trophy on the road, the car will be racing throughout Europe – including visiting the UK – next year.

With styling based on the powerful Mégane Renaultsport 225, the Mégane Trophy race car will compete in its own one-make championship covering eight European race meetings beginning next Spring. Approximately 30 Mégane Trophy racers will take part in the series on tracks in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium.

The UK race will be on Sunday 11th September 2005 at Donington Park in Leicestershire.

The full Mégane Trophy calendar will be unveiled this month following publication of the F1, MotoGP and WRC schedules.

Renaultsport’s latest offering has taken the already powerful and impressive Mégane Renaultsport 225 and evolved it into the Trophy race car with a tubular chassis, mid-mounted V6 powerplant and semi-automatic gearbox. Its bodywork has been lowered by a full 10 centimetres, with widened wheel arches and added rear diffuser, all combining to give the 155mph-plus Mégane Trophy awe-inspiring looks and ensure it is a top level-racing machine.

The 3.5-litre V6 engine fitted to Renault’s Espace and Vel Satis powers the Mégane Trophy but in this case, the unit develops more than 320hp and features semi dry sump lubrication.

The Mégane Trophy’s electronic control system is by Magneti-Marelli and covers all engine, gearbox and automatic clutch management functions plus the data acquisition that is so essential for drivers and engineers to unleash every fraction of the car’s performance. Enhanced driveability comes from specially-designed Michelin tyres, with stopping power courtesy of ventilated discs with six-pot callipers’ front and four-pot at the rear.

In dynamic terms, the Mégane Trophy is comparable to some GT racers thanks to its strong power-to-weight ratio and wind tunnel-developed aerodynamics.

The Mégane Trophy will be given an initial shakedown at the end of this month with first development tests getting underway in November.

Mégane Trophy: Technical data

Type: Mégane Renaultsport
Chassis: Tubular (to FFSA ‘Silhouette’ safety standards + front/side crash boxes)
Engine: V4 Y
Capacity: 3.5 litres
Max. power: 320hp
Max. torque: 309 Nm
Electronic management: Magneti-Marelli
Transmission: Sequential 6-speed (+ reverse), automatic clutch, steering wheel control
Wheels: FR 8X18, RR 9X18
Front brakes: Ventilated steel discs, dia. 356mm x 32mm, 6-pot callipers
Rear brakes: Ventilated steel discs, dia. 330mm x 32mm, 4-pot callipers
Tyres: FR 21-65/18; RR 24-65X18
Wheelbase: 2625mm
Length: 4375mm
Width: 1910mm
Fuel tank: 45 litres
Max. speed: over 155 mph
Weight: 950kg
Price: Less than 100,000 euros
Overall season cost (est.): 180,000 euros