Renault unleashes its latest group N rally weapon

Renault has released the first images and details of its latest factory-prepped motorsport weapon, the Megane Renaultsport N4, conceived for private teams and drivers aiming to have a crack at tarmac rallies.

Based on the road-going Megane RS 250, which has already won much acclaim for its punchy engine and finely honed chassis, the N4 extends Renault's tradition of offering group N-homologated factory racers.

It follows in the wheeltracks of group N versions of the 5 GT Turbo, R11 Turbo, R21 2l Turbo, R19 16V, Clio Williams and Clio Renaultsport.

Intended to keep costs down, group N regulations impose strict rules on the modifications that can be made to the original car, and Renault says this constraint works to the advantage of the Megane Renaultsport N4, which gets the full benefit of the technology used on the production model.

The PerfoHub independent steering-axis front suspension design has allegedly allowed the engineers to put together a chassis that combines traction, stability and driving comfort, according to the manufacturer.

Meanwhile, the use of three-way adjustable shock absorbers also enables the suspension to be tailored to different driving styles.

The road car's 2.0-litre turbo engine is carried over largely unchanged, but the use of an optimised electronic engine control system significantly boosts outputs to 195kW and 470Nm (versus 184kW/340Nm for the road car).

Drive is relayed to the front wheels by a five-speed H-pattern gearbox that's said to be developed specifically for the rally version.

Renault claims the Megane Renaultsport N4 is a reliable and high-performance package that takes on board the notion of cost control at every stage of development.

"The intention is to make Megane Renaultsport N4 accessible to all drivers, and be both easy to handle and economical to run," says the company.

Like all vehicles in its rally range, Megane Renaultsport N4 is to be sold by Renault Sport Technologies in the form of a kit comprising all the specific parts.

ENGINE
Layout Front transversally-mounted
Type 1998cc four-cylinder turbo
Bore x stroke 82.7 x 93 mm
Fuel injection / ignition Cosworth Electronics Management System
Maximum power 195kW from 4000rpm
Maximum torque 470Nm at 3000rpm
Maximum revs 6700 rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type Front-wheel drive
Gearbox 5-speed gearbox + reverse
Layout In H configuration
Differential ZF type, limited slip, self-locking differential
Clutch Hydraulically-controlled single disc

CHASSIS
Type Steel monocoque with welded roll cage
Bodywork Steel

AXLES AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
Front PerfoHub independent steering axis suspension, Öhlins double-piston shock absorbers, 3-way adjustable + hydraulic rebound
Rear Programmed deflection, torsion beam suspension with coil springs, Öhlins twin tube shock absorbers, 3-way adjustable + hydraulic rebound
Discs 355 mm ventilated discs (front) and 290 mm solid grooved discs (rear)
Calipers Four-piston one-piece (front) and double-piston one-piece (rear)
Handbrake Hydraulic

WHEELS AND TYRES
Rims 8x18 one-piece aluminium wheels
Tyres BFGoodrich 225/40 R 18

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES
Length 4302mm
Overall width 1848mm
Height 1423mm
Wheel base 2640mm
Front and rear tracks 1627mm – 1600mm
SCx 0.75
Fuel tank 60 litres
Kerb weight Info available upon FIA homologation

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