The Mégane RS Trophy is a special edition version of the standard model with a limited production run of 500 cars. Renault is quick to note that the Trophy is not a successor to the hardcore R26R, which leaves the door open to a more extreme variant in the near future.
The most significant change brought by the Trophy is the modified 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine sporting a higher maximum turbo pressure (from 2.3 bar to 2.5 bar) and a new air intake system. As a result, output is boosted by 15HP and peak torque by 20Nm over the standard car for a total of 265-horses and 360Nm (265 lb-ft).
Renault says the RS Trophy completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint 0.1 seconds faster than the standard car at 6.0 seconds, and reaches the 1,000 meter mark (0.62 miles) from standstill in 25.4 seconds (down 0.3 seconds) while also boasting a 4km/h higher top speed at 254km/h.
On a less interesting note for buyers of the Mégane RS Trophy, fuel economy on the combined European cycle is estimated at 8.2lt/100km (28.7 mpg US or 34.5 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of to 190g/km, which oddly enough, represents a saving of 0.2 lt/100km and 5g/km respectively over the standard 250HP Mégane RS.
There are no changes to the chassis but the Trophy does come with a new set of Formula 1-inspired Bridgestone Potenza RE050A high-performance tires for improved grip.
Cosmetically, the high-end Mégane RS stands out thanks to its black roof, specific decals, a new rear lip spoiler, 19-inch Gloss Black STEEV alloy wheels with red accents and the LED daytime running lights. There’s also a new Sirius Yellow finish that joins the Glacier White, Etoilé Black and Cassiopée Grey hues.
Inside, the Trophy is fitted with Recaro bucket seats available in fabric or leather, while it also gets an R.S. Monitor providing onboard data-logging system records for a range of mechanical parameters in real-time.
Renault said order books open on June 20, 2011, with the newcomer being available in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Prices in France will start from €35,500 (~US$51,900).
