From The Classifieds: 2015 Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy-R

RS. Has there ever been a more meaningful meshing of letters in motoring?

Whether seen on the rump of a Porsche 911, spattered with mud on a sideways Ford Escort or adorning a Holden Barina (okay, perhaps not that last one), RS – RennSport, Rallye Sport or Renault Sport, mostly – generates a visceral response from driving aficionados the world over.

Since the Renault 5 Turbo tore up rally stages with Jean Ragnotti at the wheel, Renault has been an acknowledged master of hot hatchery. This reputation only furthered when then-Formula 1 partner Williams Grand Prix Engineering waved its magic dynamic wand over the first-generation Clio in 1993.

The resultant Renault Clio Williams, a homologation special that screamed around rally stages in Group N and Group A form, has become a cult classic in Europe, though none were sold new in Australia.

At century’s turn, Renault Sport badged its own hot Clio. Based on the second-generation hatch, the Clio Renault Sport (known as the RS 172) followed the Clio Williams formula of an uprated 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine and enhanced dynamics for razor-sharp response.

The 172 set a precedent for a raft of hot Renault Sport product, from the outlandish mid-engine Clio V6 to ever-quicker RS Clios. The model range expanded to the larger Megane hatch range with the 2004 Megane RS 225, the latter following the Clio 172 of indicating power in ps.

Available in three- and five-door forms, the initial Renault Sport-fettled Megane generated 165kW from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot with the cheeky F4Rt engine code.

It also pushed out some 300Nm from 3000rpm, which presented an issue for the front wheels and led to lukewarm initial reviews.

With the 2006 (deep breath) Megane RS 230 Cup Renault F1 team R26, this issue was largely eradicated with the fitment of a mechanical limited-slip differential.

Renault Sport’s parting gift for the second-generation Megane was the massively-focused R26.R, which offered a stripped-out cabin and obsessive attention to light weight details, including polycarbonate side and rear windows and an optional titanium exhaust system.

Tipping under the regular Megane RS by around 120kg, the R26.R was limited to 450 units world-wide. Again, none came to Australia.

The third-generation Megane RS had big, wide (some would say ugly) shoes to fill… and it didn’t disappoint.

Sleeker in style, the 2010 Megane Renault Sport RS 250 felt right from the start, its fast-acting mechanical limited-slip differential and trick ‘independent steering axis’ front suspension making the most of its well-developed 2.0-litre turbo-four, which generated 184kW and a strong 340Nm.

Renault further built the Megane from this base, first with 2012’s tweaked R.S. 265 (out to 195kW and 360Nm) and the final R.S. 275, which breached 200kW with 201kW and 360Nm of torque… figures believed to cause nothing but torque steer in a front-driver previously.

But being RenaultSport, there was an opportunity to make a great thing even better; and this time, Australia jumped in on the act with an allocation of 50 units. That’s 20 per cent of the global production run, signifying the rapidly rising profile of RenaultSport product in Australia.

The 2014 RS 275 Trophy-R took inspiration from the old R26.R, being stripped of some niceties in the pursuit of ultimate response. This was no fad diet, either; redbook data shows a kerb weight of only 1284kg against the 1411kg of a standard ‘275’.

There was no additional power or torque on tap, but the Trophy-R felt hard-wired to your brain, tearing at the tarmac at the twitch of your right foot.

Ohlins dampers, polycarb Recaros, no rear seat and an exquisite Akrapovic exhaust all contributed to performance, though the removal of air-conditioning as standard equipment ensured hot days were sweaty work.

There was also noticeably more road noise – and no stereo to drown out the titanium ‘tinniness’ of the exhaust system – but turning the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2-shod 19-inch Speedlines towards the twisties couldn’t fail to elicit a grin.

Matched to a satisfyingly mechanical six-speed manual transmission and steering you wouldn’t believe was electrically assisted, the RenaultSport Megane RS Trophy-R is a certified hot hatch legend in any form.

It will be fascinating to see if Renault tries to emulate it with the next generation.

Fulfilled potential
Of the five Megane Trophy-Rs for sale on the Carsales network (at the time of writing), only one is from a private seller, reminding one of period rumours about Trophy-Rs languishing unloved on dealer lots when new.

This particular example is up for $43,988 and shows a smidge over 4000km on the odometer. Presenting nicely, the owner has used the mightiest Megane as intended -- on the race track.

The ad description references the half roll-cage, six-point harnesses and that the car ‘has been prepared for track days with both six point harnesses installed’. Large brakes and new high performance pads have also been installed, according to the current owner.

The list of small and sensible modifications suggests the owner has been fastidious as well as respectful of the Megane’s pedigree… and the fact you could by the greatest-performing (and one of the rarest) hot hatches of all time for around the same price as a new Golf GTI makes this a tantalising proposition.

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