What's the news?
The Trophy name returns to the back of the Renaultsport Mégane for the first time in three years, and the 2014 version is the most powerful yet with 275hp. But can it take the front-wheel drive lap record at the 'Ring? It's certainly possible when you read the spec of the incredible 275 Trophy...
Exterior
The new 275 Trophy uses the recently facelifted Mégane as its basis, which will immediately distinguish it from the old Trophy and the Red Bull Racing RB8 special edition 265 that came out late last year. To further help you pick one out, there's Trophy branding on the silver blade in the front grille, while you can't fail to have missed the two Trophy side stripes over the rear arches. Numbered door sill plates and silver chequered flag graphics at the bottom of the doors are also on display.
There's a carbon exhaust tailpipe at the back and those wonderful 19-inch black Speedline Turini wheels in the photos are optional; although we'd suggest you'd be mad not to spec them, given they're derived from versions used by competition Méganes and they look superb against Liquid Yellow paint.
Interior
Fabulous leather and Alcantara Recaro buckets are in the front of the 275 Trophy, with contrast red stitching on them and also on the rear bench, steering wheel trim and handbrake gaiter. The headrests have Renaultsport badging and there's an alloy gear knob as well.
Mechanicals
The Trophy begins with the Cup chassis and limited slip differential as standard, while the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine benefits from an additional 10hp - the clue is in the 275 v 265 badging. Peak power is made at 5,500rpm with 360Nm of torque in its corner from 3,000- to 5,000rpm. Renault claims the more powerful car returns the same economy and emissions figures as the 265, however, at 37.7mpg combined and 174g/km of CO2.
Furthermore, the Trophy has a standard-fit Akrapovi? titanium exhaust, which is not only naughtily louder, but lighter too. Properly drool-inducing optional spec includes a set of adjustable Öhlins Road and Track dampers with steel springs, following Renaultsport's association with the suspension specialist on the Mégane N4 rally car. And if you're a track day fan, you might want to team the Öhlins with the optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres for extra-sticky grip.
Anything else?
The new Mégane will make its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June. The Trophy will be sold in 20 countries worldwide, with UK pricing and specs due in June ahead of first deliveries in October. But this isn't just a run-out marketing ploy - RS keeps floating the hashtag #UNDER8 on the interweb and invites people to find out more on June 16 at www.renaultsport.com. SEAT Leon Cupra, your 7m 58.4s 'Ring lap record is under threat...
Matt Robinson - 14 May 2014
