2019 Renault Megane R.S. Trophy revealed

Following the international launch of its all-new Megane RS, Renault has just announced the range will now be bolstered by a new Trophy variant.

Like previous generations, the Trophy will flesh out Megane RS performance levels with more grip and grunt, while also upgrading the cabin to suit the car’s focus on ten-tenths stuff.

5

Headlining the news is a bump in power, where the car’s all-new turbo 1.8-litre four belts out 220kW and 400Nm, or 15kW and 10Nm more than standard.

Then to build upon the Megane’s Cup Chassis, that is already brimming with a Torsen LSD, firmer bits, specialised bump stops, and two-piece front discs; the Trophy comes with new ‘Jerez’ 19-inch wheels and some very special options.

The first is a set of new optional Recaro seats, finished in Alcantara, which will be joined next year by lighter ‘Fuji’ 19-inch wheels with special Bridgestone S007 rubber.

5

Like any new hot hatch, the Trophy’s highlights are in the details. For instance, power and torque have risen in the face of more stringent Euro “6d-Temp” emissions, thanks to a new ceramic bearing within the car’s turbine. It claims it’s three times more efficient than the part it replaces.

The exhaust, too, welcomes a bi-modal rear silencer that helps increase flow after the new particulate filter needed to comply with emissions. Renault says specific “mapping” also means Trophys equipped with the six-speed dual clutch gearbox won’t be penalised on power, either. It gets the full 220kW/420Nm like the six-speed manual transmission.

Meanwhile, the new optional ‘Fuji’ wheels lose 2kg each, meaning the Trophy sheds 8kg of rotating mass on top of a Cup chassis equipped Megane. This cuts its unladen kerb weight to 1419kg, and lifts its power to weight ratio to 155kW per tonne.

5

This level of thought continues inside where its optional Recaro seats sit 20mm lower. Renault Sport has also worked with Bridgestone to unlock what it claims as more direct steering feel through the tiller on those S007s. The car’s four-wheel steering system remains untouched.

Visually, you will spot Trophys by way of it’s the Jerez wheels’ red spokes and the discreet ‘Trophy’ sticker on its front bumper blade.

Range-wise, it’ll obviously sit above a manual 205kW Megane RS with Cup chassis, which is set to cost Aussies $45,980 when it arrives this September.

5

Renault Australia says it’s too early to know what the Trophy will come with standard here and how much it will cost, however, Honda’s move to price the 168kW-per-tonne Civic Type R at $50,990 should keep it around that ballpark.

Expect it in showrooms the latter half of 2019.