With the record for front-wheel drive hot hatchbacks still belonging to Honda with it's Civic Type R, Renault has a plan to take back the title. Could this monster Renault Megane RS Trophy R be just the ticket?

Image credit:S. Baldauf/SB-Medien?

Renault's RS division is famous for creating track-carving machines and while the latest iteration of Megane RS isn't as fearsome as previous generations, you can bet that there's annoyance over how long Honda has been sitting on its Nurburgring record for the fastest front-wheel-drive production car.

As it stands, South African motorists are offered Megane RS in 2 flavours: Lux and Cup. There will be a slightly more powerful Trophy coming later in 2019, but there's yet to be any sign of the hardcore, road-legal, track attack weapon in the same vein as the R26.R. Remember that ballistic toy? While it never came to SA, overseas writers loved how raw it was, with its stripped out interior, trick Toyo tyres, roll bar and perspex rear window to save weight.

What you're looking at here is what appears to be that hardcore, lap time-chasing Megane Trophy. We don't know much right now, but it looks a lot like the rear seats have been removed to save weight. We can predict that this Renault Megane RS Trophy R will also receive more power, reworked suspension and trick sticky rubber to help it attack the Nurburgring. Expect to see a final version revealed in Europe before the end of 2019.

Further Reading

Renault Megane RS 280 Cup (2019) Review

Renault Megane RS280 Lux (2018) Quick Review

New Renault Megane (2018) Specs & Price

Renault Megane RS Trophy Ups the Ante