FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Renault Sport readying new Megane RS Trophy R

Renault has revealed it is already working on an even faster version of the newly-unveiled Megane RS, offering more power and a lighter kerb weight.

Set to go on sale later in 2018 – months after the regular Megane RS is launched – the more extreme version of the small five-door hatch has been created, in part, to rival cars like the Volkswagen Golf R but chiefly to reclaim the prestigious lap record for a front-wheel drive production car at the world famous Nurburgring.

Confirming that a Megane RS Trophy and hardcore Trophy R were already in development, a Renault Sport insider told motoring.com.au that both new models have been created for those who enjoy driving on track.

Using the same turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder as the standard Megane RS, both the Trophy and R model come with 220kW/300Nm – 15kW/10Nm more than the ‘garden-variety’ model.

As well as more power, the insider said the Trophy would weigh in "significantly less" than the normal RS and come with a more aggressive suspension set-up and intuitive limited-slip differential.

Whereas the regular car weighs in at about 1400kg, the Trophy is expected to tip the scales at 30-40kg lighter. It is thought the improvement will come from lighter seats, less sound deadening and the addition of composite body parts.

Furthermore, the flagship Trophy R will shed more kilograms as engineers strive to conquer the fearsome Nurburgring faster than the current 7.43:80min record time set by the Honda Civic Type R.

Set to feature ultra-lightweight wheels and tyres, thinner glass and a carbon-fibre bonnet and roof, the Trophy R could also delete its rear seat and air conditioning in the pursuit of performance.

Back in October 2016, another Renault Sport insider told motoring.com.au that the most extreme Megane model would delete the 4CONTROL rear-steer axle altogether as it saved up to 40kg and didn't reduce lap times. However, Renault Sport boss Patrice Ratti refused to confirm the Trophy R would drop rear-steer this week.

"Yes, it was difficult justifying the cost of add 4CONTROL – both the added weight and the cost of the actual system but, in the end, we thought it was a price worth paying for the performance gain, even though its impact on lap times isn't obvious," said Ratti.

Asked whether some Megane RS models might come without the controversial rear-steer system, the Renault Sport boss joked that it was "easier to take out than put in".

As well as a potential 4CONTROL delete option, a faster Megane might even ditch novel hydraulic bump stops first introduced on the current Clio RS after being lifted directly from Renault's rally program.

Again, Ratti refused to be drawn over the exact technical differences of the fastest Trophy R.

"I asked my engineers to break the Nurburgring lap record, I didn't tell them how to do it," he said.

Lamenting the fact that Renault Sport was forced to kill off its plans to produce a Clio RS that was powered by the Megane RS' powertrain, Ratti provided some hope the famous French performance division might once again have another crack at a wild mini hatch.

"We can do it again. The Clio RS16 wasn't a standalone model. It was derived from an existing model. Any product we create must be profitable, it cannot be just for the image. The Clio RS16 was profitable, so it is possible."

Timing for the Megane RS remains uncertain for Australia.

On sale in Europe in the fourth week of January 2018, the UK will likely get its right-hand drive models early in March – but its delay is caused by a decision internally to wait for the six-speed manual production to begin.

Renault Australia could receive two-pedal Megane RS EDC models when right-hand drive production begins around a month earlier and gradually introduce the six-speed manual cars (demand permitting) when they come on stream.