Renault, like many French companies, try to prove to the world that they have something to say in the spots car area but so far nothing has been said. I mean, the different Megane versions (the RS and the R26) haven’t been big successes and the buyers still think they’re somehow strange cars. Let’s take for instance the Megane F1 Team R26 which basically is a normal RS with 5 more HP. It’s true that some work has been done at the suspensions and the limited slip diff helps the handling but something radical had to be done.

(more pics and details after the break)Considering that the Megane is approaching its last years, the French manufacturer decided to release a goodbye present. And behind the cortine we find the R26.R. Now that’s what I call a race-ready car! If you can notice the rough exterior, don’t worry, because it makes the car belong on the circuit. Plus, the racing seats and seat belts and also the roll-cage give it a sporty feel. The carbon hood and the cool wheels contribute to the feel.

The engine has been borrowed from the Megane F1 Team R26: a 2 litre turbo which produces 230 HP and 310 NM. Now you might think, how’s this better than the F1? First of all this car has the same weight as a feather and that’s because it has NOTHIG!Forget the back seats and the rear wiper. But you should expect a noise coming from hell because it seems that quite is for dorks. Real racers need to fell th engine.
0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds and shorter gear ratios make me believe that this car can make a name for itself.
I say this because it got around the Nurburgring in 8 minutes and 57 seconds, the fastest time for any front wheel drive car ever. Unfortunately only 450 of them will be made and 230 will be sold in England alone.



More photos in our gallery.