Skip advert
Advertisement

Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy

When Renault decided to beat its own Nurburgring lap record for a front-wheel drive production car – held by the much-loved old generation Megane R26.R – they took the standard Megane 250, slightly wound up the boost to release another 14bhp and fitted it with some grippier, Bridgestone RE050A tyres. That’s it. No chassis changes, no cross bracing, no R26.R-style extreme weight loss programme to ditch the radio, sound-proofing or back seat. Just a mildly enhanced version of an already accomplished car that promptly knocked nine seconds of its predecessor’s record with a staggering lap of 8 minutes and 8 seconds.

Specifications

EngineIn-line 4-cyl, 1998cc, turbo
Transmission6-speed manual, FWD
Peak power261bhp @ 5500rpm
Peak torque265lb ft @ 3000-5000rpm
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Puncture-proof airless tyres are on the horizon, but they won’t work on performance cars
Airless tyres
News

Puncture-proof airless tyres are on the horizon, but they won’t work on performance cars

Airless tyre technology developed by the likes of Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone could see use in autonomous vehicles and public transport in the …
28 Nov 2025
How a sub-200bhp runabout exposes the problem with today’s performance cars
695C Turismo
Opinion

How a sub-200bhp runabout exposes the problem with today’s performance cars

A shortage of long-term test cars flags up a wider problem, says Meaden
27 Nov 2025
BMW Z4 M40i Handschalter Fast Fleet test – living with Munich's manual drop-top
evo Fast Fleet BMW Z4 Handschalter
Long term tests

BMW Z4 M40i Handschalter Fast Fleet test – living with Munich's manual drop-top

Is top-down motoring in winter a folly? Not if you time it right…
27 Nov 2025