Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy-R to set another record

RENAULT has announced it will hit Melbourne's Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in its record-setting Megane RS 275 Trophy-R, laying down the first timed production car lap at the track ahead of the Formula 1 season's opening race later this month.

The track-honed hot hatch will be helmed by 20-year old Formula 1 rookie Daniil Kvyat, who is eager to clock some track time before racing alongside home-grown hero Daniel Ricciardo with the Renault-powered Infiniti Red Bull Racing team in this year's season.

“I'm really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Megane RS 275 Trophy-R and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to set the first ever production car lap record of the Albert Park Circuit,” he said.

“It will be a great opportunity to get some track time ahead of the Grand Prix and even better to do it with a Renault engine.”

The Megane RS 275 Trophy-R is powered by a highly-strung 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, producing 201kW of power and 360Nm of torque, and can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds before topping out at 255km/h.

Based on the Megane RS 275 Trohpy, the Trophy-R bins the rear seats to save weight, as well as other upgrades including a titanium Akrapovic exhaust, Ohlins Road & Track adjustable dampers, lowered springs and Michelin sport tyres.

The changes were sufficient for Renault to set a record-breaking 7min 54.63sec lap time at the infamous Nurburgring circuit, the fastest for a front-wheel drive production car, taking victory from the Seat Leon Cupra.

However, Honda has recently claimed a prototype of its upcoming fourth-generation Civic Type R managed to lap the Green Hell with a time of 7min 50.63sec.

The Albert Park Challenge will be held on the Thursday, March 12 on the opening day of the Melbourne Grand Prix event which will also feature practice and qualifying for the Porsche Carrera Cup and Heritage Touring Cars.

Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said he is keen to see what the French hot hatch can do on the local 5.3 kilometre circuit.

“We're very excited to be a part of the first ever Albert Park Challenge, and to have this opportunity to demonstrate the dominance of our record-breaking Megane RS 275 Trophy-R in Australia,” he said.

“Our Renault Sport brand is renowned for its dominance on race tracks around the globe and we're confident that we'll set a cracking time for this new lap record.”

Renault has limited production of the Megane RS 275 Trophy-R to only 250 units worldwide, with Australia receiving the 50 cars priced at $61,990, before on-road costs.