Renault is introducing a Trophy version of the RenaultSport Megane 250. 

Although it’s not being pitched as a successor to the seminal previous-generation RenaultSport Megane R26.R – which still holds the Nurburgring lap record for a front-drive car – engine upgrades do make the Trophy the most powerful Megane to date. Only 500 cars will be produced, with 50 right-hookers coming to the UK. 

Changes over the standard RenaultSport Megane 250 are limited. The Trophy features an extra 15bhp from its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, taking the total to 265bhp. That trims just a tenth of a second from the official 0-62mph time – 6.0 seconds instead of 6.1 – and adds 2mph to the top speed, which rises to 158mph. Standard equipment includes Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts, 19-inch black Speedline alloys with red detailing, fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RS050A tyres. 

Only two colour options are available, both metallic – ‘Liquid Yellow’ or a more conservative shade of black. The Trophy costs £27,820, £600 more than a Megane Cup 250 fitted with the Recaro package, and the price includes access to all RenaultSport’s UK 2012 trackdays. 

Customer deliveries will start in late July.