The Trophy-R loses weight, allowing it to run faster around the track.
This spy shot captures the Renault Megane RS Trophy R ready to crank up the heat. The circuit-ready model should be available for purchase in Europe before the end the year.
The engineers covered the power bulge on this test mule with white cladding. The concealment material extends higher at the rear fenders and is more prominent on the sides. These pieces don’t appear to conceal modifications to the body. They might be hiding stripes that pick up the red accent on the front fascia. The lower part of the back is blacked out by the development team, hiding tweaks to the exhaust and diffuser.
This Trophy-R test mule rides on black nine-spoke tires. The front has large, silver calipers, while the stoppers at the back are red. Although the different colors may seem odd, Renault could paint them in the same hues for production.
The powertrain modifications for the Trophy-R’s powertrain are not entirely clear. The standard Megane RS Trophy has a turbocharged 1.8 liter that produces 296 horsepower (221 kilowatts). It also makes 295 pound-feet (405 Newton-meters) with a manual transmission or 310 lb (420 Nm), with the optional dual clutch transmission.
According to the Trophy-R, it focuses on losing weight. Renault Sport, for example, is said to have removed the rear seats in order to reduce weight, even though it still has four doors. The fog lights on the front fascia of this test mule are missing, which would have reduced some mass.
Renault Sport is reportedly targeting the Trophy-R as the fastest front-wheel-drive front-wheel-drive vehicle on the Nuburgring Nordschleife. The Renault must lap the Green Hell in 7 mins and 43.8 sec to win the title.