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Renault Sport Megane Trophy arrives in Australia
Renault Sport's commitment to Australian motorsport amplified by mid-engined Megane Trophy racerIt’s clear that Renault is serious about lifting its brand presence in Australia, if the early weeks of 2013 are anything to go by. For a car manufacturer keen to demonstrate its competencies, the most traditional marketing strategy is to use motorsport as a stage…and that’s just the path Renault has taken.
Renault Sport, Renault’s tuning arm, has been busy developing the brand’s motorsport programs locally. Those programs include the Australian Rally Championship with the Clio R3 and a tarmac rally program which will see motoring.com.au compete in Targa Tasmania with a Showroom-specification Megane RS 265.
Further symbolising Renault’s commitment to motorsport in Australia is the appearance of the mighty Megane Trophy 2 race car. Developed for a single-make racing series in Europe, the Megane Trophy is mid-engined, manic and madly fast around a circuit.
“We’ve brought the Megane Trophy over as a hero car,” explained Renault Australia Marketing Director Chris Bayman. “Renault has a proud motorsport heritage that covers every discipline, from rallying to Le Mans to Formula One. We want the Australian public to identify with that heritage and the wonderful road car products developed from that experience.”
Already tasked with overseeing the Renault Sport Targa Tasmania campaign, Walkinshaw Performance General Manager Tony Harris is honoured to be looking after the Megane Trophy racer on its Australian tour. “It’s fantastic being associated with Renault Sport,” he said. “The link between Walkinshaw and Renault goes back to the development of the original mid-engine Clio V6 in England, in the early 1990s. This Megane Trophy is similar in concept, with its naturally-aspirated V6 mounted behind the seats. The intent with this car is to use it for demonstration runs, including at the Melbourne Grand Prix at Albert Park. It will also be used for passenger hot laps at selected other events and Renault drive days, giving Renault Sport customers a unique on-track experience.”
Built in 2006 the Megane Trophy is powered by a derivative of the 3.5-litre V6 motor found in Nissan’s 350Z. Left-hand drive, it operates via a paddle-shift Sadev gearbox with a hand-operated clutch. With its lightweight body panels and extensive use of carbon fibre over a tube-frame chassis the Trophy weighs a scant 980kg, produces 260kW with peak torque of 420Nm, and revs to 7500rpm.
The Trophy’s aerodynamic kit includes a protruding front air-dam, chin spoiler, roof-mounted adjustable rear-wing and ample rear diffuser to glue the car to the road. For ease of external access, the front and rear ‘clamshell’ sections are easily removed, revealing the bespoke chassis that also sees service underneath the Alpine A110-50 concept car.
Motoring.com.au was granted exclusive access to the Megane Trophy’s shakedown run at Calder Park, with former V8Supercar star Cameron McConville behind the wheel. “The diversity of Cam’s driving experiences made him a natural choice as the primary driver of the Trophy while the car is in Australia,” explained Harris. “Today is about him getting comfortable in the car before taking it on tour.”
After an early morning run on cold tyres, the Megane’s Michelin slick tyre pressures were checked and the brakes bled before McConville got down to business. With the free-breathing V6 now singing to 7500rpm, Calder Park’s workers eased over to the pit wall to accompany the Walkinshaw Motorsport engineers. Crackling on the over-run, the flame-spitting Megane used its aerodynamics to full advantage, braking late and hard and cornering with impressive agility.
Upon his return to the pits, McConville was smitten. “Immediately, that smell of Elf racing fuel starts the adrenalin flowing. The car’s great – it feels like a Formula car more than a V8 Supercar, and that’s confirmed with a look at the chassis... there is little in the way of compromise underneath.
“Being so light, both its change of direction and its balance are incredible. There is no understeer at all and its braking capability with the aero package is enormous. And the engine! It picks up smoothly, revs cleanly and sounds amazing, even from behind the wheel.”
As well as regular motorsport appearances, the Renault Megane Trophy will also be displayed at selected dealers and other venues throughout the year.
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Written byAdam Davis
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