autocar.tv: Renault Megane R26R - by Autocar.co.uk

Steve Sutcliffe takes the R26R round the 'Ring. For more Renault news and reviews visit www.autocar.co.uk/renault/

[@iantownsend5480]

Still a legend & a complete bargin right now a future classic for sure

[@theant9821]

Maybe but at 20k upwards they still aren't cheap.

[@ryanformosaholt9248]

for sure this is one of top 5 hot hatch of the 2000"s,this car performance and handling is awesome, great renault reputation

[@bigginhillant]

wow looking at the comment's from many years ago here this car is still a very capable today 2024

[@iLuvSmartCars]

Wow! I did not know that. Thanks for the info! I love Renault!!

[@PepegaPig]

that's one hell of a car :)

[@carysadams4413]

all that and didnt even tell us what time he done it in

[@rafauy]

Ostenta el record de vuelta para autos de tracción delantera en el Nürburgring. Holds the lap record for front-wheel-drive cars in the Nürburgring.

[@ryanpitout]

I had the RS Megane, and i had to replace the steering rack, front susp bushes etc etc, I'm convinced they use the same components as the 1.6litre family car.

[@iLuvSmartCars]

Why don't we have Renalts in the US???

[@nigel028]

it looks nice

[@MotorsportMonkey]

Is vader riding shotgun with you for this run steve? Mad induction/turbo noise!!!

[@HoeBlogggs]

He loves the rev limiter :D

[@ryanpitout]

Your name says it all. Whats your perfect garage look like ???

[@thenoblegeek]

@Renceau I can only guess that if Renault purposely lowered the quality of their cars sold in the USA, it was to increase profits. I don't remember if the monetary exchange rates were favorable to importing cars back then. It's a bummer because I loved my Renault Le Car (a 1229 series R5).

[@Rangeroversport12]

@Povilas7 why?

[@ryanpitout]

The concept of lightweight cars is the bomb, I love the fact that a caterham (30k) beats a veyron (1million) around the track. Go lightweight.

[@FrenchJohn]

They should have at least add a bit more hp... I mean it's the same 220 bhp from the original RS. But oh well still a great car!

[@MrBrasilMexico]

Renault megane sport THE BEST

[@stu22aus]

I suppose that's true, perhaps it just highlights the unsuitability of FWD in circuit applications. 35 seconds on the ring is a big disparity between 'serious' sports cars, regardless of budget. Perhaps its gearing is a bit short for the ring as well...

[@M2Chris]

If we hand Renaults in the US I would trade my GTI MkV for that thing in a heart beat!

[@AJL15N]

I think the R26R would tear some tuners up, IMO

[@zachaphina3140]

4:13 who is he talking about?

[@stu22aus]

You could probably fund and host an 8-round championship of caterhams for the price of a Veyron

[@gonedu71]

on peut se faire plaisir avec une belle voiture pour pas cher , en voici la preuve

[@rugratjamin]

I want 1:D

[@stu22aus]

Yeah I dunno...8.15 doesn't seem that quick when compared to the GTR and GT2, which can lap at about 7:40, 7:50 all day long. I would've thought for such a small car it'd fly around there like a lotus or something.

[@Chunkychucky]

Yeah, it's the track tires and the extreme featherweight. The M5 would murder it down the straights, but the weight of the M5 means it shags its tires and brakes after 10 miles.

[@vipersickboy24]

no doubt, that megane is almost a race car.

[@ryanpitout]

I did say around the track !! And I will buy you a veyron if you can find a place to get it to 400kmh.

[@Silvyya]

wait it looks like a damn rally car in fh4 not a road car

[@ryanpitout]

i HEARD it beat an M5 around Nordshliefe

[@nav1932]

translation, s'il vous plait.

[@brunners16]

This car is great however i dont see the point of paying the extra money. Get a normal r26 and strip it out yourself. Take it to Ktec racing and they will increase the boost to 270bhp. It will then be as quick if not quicker than the R26R for a few grand less. You could even get a spare set of wheels and put some R888's on and it would still be cheaper.

[@nav1932]

yeah and u can buy more than a couple of caterhams for a the price of a veyron which is much more practical....... and it uses less fuel

[@stu22aus]

My point is simple: for a car that would no doubt shake your fillings loose on the road, it is an expensive proposition for the track. Something as small as the Renault with FWD drivetrain should not tip the scales at much over 1000kg, which would render HP all but irrelevant. Given this I think as a track weapon you'd be better off buying a Super 7, Elise or even Elfin. You'd get much more bang for you buck and probably save yourself a few quid to boot.

[@thenoblegeek]

@iLuvSmartCars Renault basically got run out of America along with Fiat due to the extremely poor quality of their cars back in the 1980s. I can speak from experience because I was an automechanic on Renaults back then. It's a shame because there only a few tweaks that Renault had to do to reverse the poor quality that haunted most owners.

[@watannen]

nope, still Rover !:)))

[@thenoblegeek]

@Renceau Renaults were terrible in the USA and that is saying something considering the garbage that the American manufacturers were producing at the same time. Yes, the Renault electrical systems were crap but they were crappy on a scale that was much worse than the American cars. The cooling systems on Renaults were unbelievably terrible leading to catastrophic engine failures (heads warped beyond saving, scored piston bores and burnt crankshafts). The old Renaults rusted out way too fast.

[@soultanasmaga9661]

Dggrhrhfnfnfnf

[@derbigpr500]

You cant really compare a 230hp fwd hatchback to 500-600 AWD sports cars

[@Skout86]

still a renault. with this hard going wear repairs every 10000 km.

[@antiquevintageretro4u105]

Doesn't sure the real driver ? An I bet you got poured in to that seat lol

[@AdamS32828]

That engine sounds like a blender or a vacuum cleaner. Ew.

[@edmaluf]

240p is more than adequate. Who needs more than this?

[@spoonageDC2]

Me

[@joshjamesguitar]

8:15 seconds WITH SPORT TYRES, when all their competition were using Road tires. Don't buy the Renault, buy an FD2 Civic it's cheaper faster, more reliable and has more potential to tune (still has full interior)