Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[London 2008: Renaultsport Megane R26.R]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/london-2008-renaultsport-megane-r26-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/london-2008-renaultsport-megane-r26-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/london-2008-renaultsport-megane-r26-r/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



While most of our recent hot hatch affection has been aimed at the Ford Focus RS, Renault brought its own racy three-door to the London Motor Show party, and now we're torn. Admittedly, the Focus RS is easily the more suitable day-to-day driver - it's got a full interior and air conditioning -- but the Renaultsport Megane R26.R has all the kit for a serious track-day assault. Hell, it even has two Rs in its name.

With the new Megane slated to appear at this year's Paris Motor Show, Renault wanted to give the current model a fitting send off. To that end, it took the existing Megane F1 Team R26, left the engine, gearbox and limited slip differential intact, modified the suspension and hacked off 271 pounds from its curb weight. The diet included the removal of the rear seats, passenger side airbag, climate control, fog lamps, headlight washers, rear windscreen wiper and the majority of the soundproofing material. In exchange, the R26.R received a carbon fiber hood, polycarbonate quarter and rear windows and a titanium exhaust.

Inside, the Renaultsport hatch makes the RS look positively pedestrian, with a set of carbon fiber Sabelt seats, six-point harnesses, leather and suede swathed steering wheel and gear knob, and an optional four-point roll cage. While output remains the same, at 230 hp and 229 lb.-ft. of torque, the stripped R26.R lapped the Nurburgring in 8:17 - a new lap record for a front wheel drive production car.

Only 450 examples will be made available when sales begin in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and Spain this October. And unlike the Chevy Camaro, Renault released a video of the R.26R doing it's thing around the 'Ring... three seconds faster. Check it, along with the press release, below the fold.

Gallery: Renaultsport Megane R26.R

Continue reading London 2008: Renaultsport Megane R26.R

London 2008: Renaultsport Megane R26.R originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>londonlondon motor showLondonMotorShowmeganer26.rrenaulltrenaultsportRenaultsport Megane R26.RRenaultsportMeganeR26.rTue, 22 Jul 2008 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault leaks teasers for new Megane R26.R]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/renault-leaks-teasers-for-new-megane-r26-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/renault-leaks-teasers-for-new-megane-r26-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/renault-leaks-teasers-for-new-megane-r26-r/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Renaultsport Megane R26.R

The Renault Megane, with its "iconic" (read: quirky) styling, is on its way out, but that's not about to stop the speed demons at Renaultsport from having some fun with the hatchback before it's replaced. Sources indicate that the French automaker is preparing to take the wraps off a new hardcore hot hatch at the British Motor Show opening tomorrow.

Dubbed the R26.R, the vehicle is based on the existing Renaulsport Megane R26, only more track-focused with a full roll cage, carbon fiber seats and an aggressive weight-saving regimen that includes some carbon body panels and polycarbonate windows. The surfacing of these shadowed-out teasers seems like strange timing, considering that full images have already shown up on the radar a month and a half ago. However, a Nordschleiffe track decal suggests that the R26.R may have set a new Nurburgring record for a front-drive production vehicle.

Gallery: 2009 Renault R26 R


[Source: CarScoop]

Renault leaks teasers for new Megane R26.R originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>megane r26.rmegane r26rMeganeR26.rMeganeR26rr26.rr26rrenaultrenault meganeRenaultMeganerenaultsportrenaultsport meganerenaultsport megane r26.rRenaultsportMeganeRenaultsportMeganeR26.rMon, 21 Jul 2008 10:59:00 EST