This is the Megane Trophy, a continuation of the legendary racer from Renault. Destined to race in a single-make race series, Renault released the racer after releasing the comparatively boring Megane Coupe at the Paris Motor Show sometime yesterday.Intended to make a radical statement, the Mégane Trophy features the same mechanicals as the current car, including an FIA-homologated sports-prototype tubular chassis, a mid-rear V6 3.5 24V engine, a semi-automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddle shift, double wishbone suspension with adjustable dampers and 18-inch wheels and Michelin tyres.
With it’s roof-mounted air-ducts feeding a new intake manifold, power is increased from 330hp to 360hp. Ensuring the car’s reliability, rebuild intervals are carried out every 5,500km. Combined with the aerodynamic gains of the new composite outer skin, the extra power output of the 3.5-liter V6 engine will enable the Mégane Trophy to make lap times close to the Porsche GT3.
At the end of the year, the Mégane Trophy will be available as an upgrade kit for existing cars. However, the modifications required to adapt the chassis to the new bodywork must be carried out by the Alpine factory in Dieppe.