Renault's Nurburgring specials | the world's best hot hatchbacks? | Autocar Heroes

If you want to go fast around the Nurburgring Nordschleife in a front-wheel drive production car, the Renault Megane RS is your answer.
The Renault Sport Megane R26R was the first to do it. This 227bhp stripped-out hatchback was some 123kg lighter than a regular Megane R26 RS, capable of 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds and set a then-record Nordschleife lap time of 8m17s.
Then came the Megane 275 Trophy R. It did a similar thing again: with no more power (271bhp) than the Renault Sport Megane Trophy that spawned it, it could go from 0-60mph in just 5.4 seconds and lap the Nurburgring in 7m54s at the hands of Lauren Hurgon, Renault's chief test driver.
And now there's this: the very latest 2020 Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy R, which again loses its rear seats and very many kilos, gains a lot in price, and laps the Nuburgring in just 7m40s.
Now, in one of our series of Autocar Heroes videos, we've brought the three of them together, to see just how exceptional they are on the road. Are these stripped out hatchbacks among the best ever made? And if they are, which is the best of them? Join Matt Prior for the Autocar reckoning.
00:40 - Renault Sport Megane R26R
04:40 - Renault Megane 275 Trophy R
08:56 - Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy R
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[@ajames718]

Have to respect Renault for releasing cars like these. Regardless of price, hardly any car manufacturers are releasing cars with this level of racing enthusiasm.

[@sirius8103]

Yes but now it's over. The brand Renault Sport is ended. Renault will do sport cars only with his Alpine brand, and the coming ones will be 100% electric...

[@EdgeOfPanic]

@@sirius8103 Yeah too bad RIP Renault Sport another legend gone.

[@dylanh1978]

R26R is probably the coolest looking hot hatch ever made.

[@samdurling6053]

7 mins 40 for a hot hatch is just unbelievable

[@bigginhillant]

I have owed my R26R for three years nearly I have owed loads of quality cars in the past this is the longest I have owned a car super fun always puts a smile on my face

[@Trophy_R]

Had mine nearly 8 years, so much fun and wouldn’t bother me if I owned it another 8, mine is around 20mm lower on Gram springs, 260 bhp and the 250 brakes on it, brakes are fantastic.

[@Trophy_R]

I own the new Trophy R and the R26.R and the R26.R is still my favourite

[@ChrisMisMYhandle]

Had a 265 trophy for 4 year and it was savage!

[@mishview]

currently owning a 265 trophy.... monster !!! amazing and fun at the same time

[@milo6507]

I have the new one best hot hatch!!

[@vMaxHeadroom]

I only have the RS250 but boy is it fantastic...great performance, great handling and just looks great....Love Renault performance...my next car will also be a Renault Sport Megane...

[@richardhoulton4016]

Varinder Bains Great car

[@berikkloningan]

I love all versions

[@berksari1]

Only Renault could do these cars and thanks God they did them perfectly. Would go for 275-R for myself though.

[@leoedward7363]

Thanks Autocar, you just keep delivering exactly what we want. Fascinating video. I drive a 265 Cup and would LOVE an R26R above all

[@robinmarples5198]

Renault sport's meganes are the business Had a r26 f1 team and now from many years a 265 cup châssis. Always a joy to thrash it in any circumstances at any times. On track on raod, everywhere

[@konahead]

R26R without a doubt. lightness goes a hella long way.

[@operamatthew]

the R26R is just so cool. it’s the one to have in my book. can’t wait till they are allowed into the usa.

[@foxhounduk2k8]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks Autocar. More of this stuff please. More about the history of cars and their lineage

[@Mouse2113]

Fantastic video. I'd have them all too but 275 Trophy R if I had to pick one. Had my 275 Trophy from new and still love it. New Meganes drive great too

[@stu4181]

I’d like to see them give the R26R the exact same tyres as the most recent record and see how many seconds are shaved off from that alone...

[@derbigpr500]

The R26R used more track focused tires during the record lap than the new ones did. It literally used semi-slicks that aren't usable on anything other than perfectly dry roads and proper temperature range.

[@stu4181]

BeyerT1 will they be better than 10 year newer tyres they used for the last run? As the new cup tyres are way more highly regarded than old ones ??

[@jofumen6708]

RENAULT SPORT Más que un automóvil ,siempre en el corazón 💝💝😍😍

[@richards4456]

R26r does not look its age. Still looks fantastic.

[@mickwrinkles2318]

Prime hothatchery, that is a great trio of cars.

[@paulmichael3844]

Absolutely brilliant guys 👍🏾

[@swanblake]

I like the older ones much more. Pure drivers cars without all the electronic nannies of the new one. The cost of the latest one also is a real turn off

[@darkwa456]

I drive a 250 cup with a remap to 300 bhp and a k tec exhaust cost me £6000, still looks new and modern keeps up with cars 4 times the price! Stereo is terrible and the ride is fairly firm but it's absolute weapon on a b road!

[@katsanddoughnuts]

same minus the exhaust, love it

[@munekunekokluvian1432]

6000??!!! I have a custom map to 350ish hp, full custom 3 inch exhaust, intercooler, intake and a secondary map if I decide to install a water/meth system, all that and I have not spent more than 2000 Usd.....

[@darkwa456]

@@munekunekokluvian1432 the car cost me 6000 not the set up 🤣

[@munekunekokluvian1432]

@@darkwa456 ohh ....🤣🤣🤣 fortunately

[@robertl2856]

Another great item thanks

[@lionelb8227]

These cars are awesome !

[@markrhoden68]

The 2015 trophy car was and still is my personal want...assuming I could live with its uncompromising raw feel

[@supraJZA80s]

I have one and aside from the road noise and climbing in and out of the seat it's not too bad. The Ohlins are surprisingly compliant and you can soften them off.

[@ThaDutchDK1989]

gotta love renault for making the best hot hatches and still be in F1. i loved my clio 172 thats why is stored in a shed cause its never gonna go. but now the video boy i would love a R26R im in love

[@OscarLeeMX]

The R26R looks the best.

[@jofumen6708]

RENAULT SPORT tengo uno cada dia que lo conduzco nueva ilusión fantasía hecha realidad mama mía 💓💓💓 RENAULT 👍👍👍

[@limpunsing224]

Awesome content

[@Teethclenser2007]

Beasts ❤️❤️❤️

[@gdrp87]

Very nice

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

Special Renaults indeed

[@valtermanuelferreirapaivap3481]

Bravo bravo bravo bravo renault magnífico trabalho parabéns bravo bravo renault magnífico trabalho parabéns bravo bravo renault magnífico trabalho parabéns bravo bravo renault

[@SergeantMoetz]

I'd love to have either one of the predecessors but they basically go for the money you paid (or more) when they were new on the used market in middle europe.

[@sasicuomo9217]

Renault💜💜

[@bossviola8306]

Renault💓

[@bryancheunguson4606]

Where is this place??

[@Jojo69700]

You did not spoke about the trophy 265, wich is also a nurb's Queen from Renault Sport 😐

[@magdelayna]

I have a normal R26,and at around £5K they are ridiculous value for money in performance.

[@Trophy_R]

Can’t have more fun for that money, brilliant cars

[@markbaker3391]

Can't agree more... I had an R26 and now have a RS250... brilliant cars 😀

[@Trophy_R]

Mark Baker I’ve had the R26.R for nearly 8 years , looking at a Cayman GT4 but the 25R will take some replacing

[@markbaker3391]

@@Trophy_R R26.R Lucky Man!! Appeciating all the time I guess?

[@magdelayna]

Its weird how the R's are appreciating but the normal R26 are at rock bottom - there really isnt a £20k difference between them hehe.

[@capuchinseven]

I totally respect Renault for the Trophy R but I just can't justify that kind of money when it could buy me a GT4 or a Evora 410. Maybe I shouldn't be thinking of it as a hot hatch but it's front wheel drive in a hot hatch 5 door body it's hard to see it as anything but, and once you remove those rear seats I just don't see the point anymore when I could get the above cars.

[@oscarlainz]

Just imagine the 275 trophy with £40k worth of the right parts and the right setup.

[@dailyselfimprovement100]

I love watching the meganes destroy way more expensive hardware around the ring! I have an RS250 cup and am trying not to mod it...but it's so tempting!

[@Trendyflute]

Renault in the '00s did so much cool stuff...Clio 182, Clio V6, R26.R, even the Avantime in its own way! I kinda think the 00s were peak car in general but they were definitely peak Renault.

[@jonnyleoni5635]

Bought the Megane 4 trophy and nothing has a chance in the Corners.

[@carl9184]

Probably not for your pot holed British road but a helluva performance car just the same.

[@giuseppealvo589]

Renault RS the best.

[@Mexxx65]

Guys, did the R26R have electric or hydraulic steering?

[@RealCyco]

Electric, like the rest of the model series

[@blakejarrettegibbons9119]

Seems like Renault are following lotus theme simplify and add lightness.

[@ma-moodz9217]

Where is the Twingo RS !!?? :-(

[@randymarsh3636]

It really pisses me off that manufacturers can't even be bothered to make 3dr hot hatches anymore.

[@MrKleru]

Next step will be making only SUV hot hatchbacks

[@darkwa456]

Because hardly anybody was buying them, we should be grateful we even get hot hatches anymore. They won't be here for long

[@randymarsh3636]

@@darkwa456 I suspect that's because these cars are financially out of reach of young people where as 15 years ago a hot hatch costed about 15k

[@theodor12]

At £71k, I think I think I'd rather have the new M2 CS...

[@derbigpr500]

This will run circles around both the M2 and the Cayman on track. It's not only about the performance, it's about the track ready components on it that can handle abuse on track consistently, unlike most sports cars that can do a few fast laps, and that's it.

[@klemzale5370]

@The Talentless Mr. Kipling Exacly, a normal person buys a allround car, and this TrophyR is exacly the opposite. Thats hhy something like the Golf GTI sells so well, its good at anything

[@938086844]

New M2 CS is 7.43 Mégane MK4 rs 7.40.10 so M2 3 seconds slower then Mégane and 444 hp is a huge difference

[@g00dfeeling]

💎💎💎

[@The_answers_42]

Love the cars and totally get the Porsche GT reference, but surely you could have found a better location. What a waste to drive them so slowly on such uninspiring "roads" (TRL if I'm not mistaken).

[@guliocortese8790]

Renault top team. N1.

[@daveyboiyeah]

The Megane II always looks weird without the rear Megane badge.

[@RobertoGonzalez-fu4td]

The have to bring back the 3 door hatch!! Why no 3 door Hatch???? WHY???

[@Bakezor36]

Especially with the weight saving ethos, you would think that the most recent Trophy R would be a three door!

[@matthewp9015]

People aren’t buying three-door cars anymore so it makes little financial sense to build one. All carmakers are dropping their three-door models, which means the ‘sporty’ versions have to be five-door (too expensive to develop a 3-door version only for a limited build car).

[@shaft1400]

Cheaper to insurance 5 door than 3 door.

[@SuperDigitalMe]

YES! Thats what im talking about! Now i have a Golf 7 GTI clubsport, next one will be 5 doors!! Will never buy a GTI again.... 3 doors is for sporty hatchbacks!!!!

[@chimaeraSPK]

Can you do a heroes video on the first gen Mazda3 MPS?

[@maxjelley4055]

David, I have to say, you bear resemblance to Walter white

[@davidhayes4814]

Hot hatches are all about having a practical, affordable vehicle which is great to drive. £70K vehicles don’t really qualify for that.

[@saratov99]

Network Q RAC Rally Championship

[@MrDaniAND]

R26R it’s a real track toy, where is the rollcage in the next versions Renault?

[@stu4181]

51-71k is pretty punchy though, you can get a 2018 bmw m4 CS with sub 10k miles for about 50 and the cayman GT4 for around the 71 mark, who would get the newest version over those two cars??

[@TheMoonigans]

Me. Its currently sat on my drive. M4 CS is a parts bin special and has too much power and too much weight. GT4 for 71K is a 4 year old used car. New GT4 is unobtainable unless paying overs.

[@stu4181]

Paul Monaghan, I never mind running used cars but so far Have been lucky I guess, what is the kerb weight on these?

[@TheMoonigans]

@@stu4181 About 1300 kg for the 72K car so probably somewhere between 1320-1350 for the the standard car.

[@stu4181]

Paul Monaghan it’s a lot to spend for that sort of Saving! I completely agree with you re lightness is the key though, always aspired to own an m3 got to the point I could, and bought a 987 cayman 1300kg and hydraulic power steering. Bmw have lost their way at the moment. I’m looking forward to the new Toyota Yaris GRMN model as that’s going to be about 1300kg with symmetrical awd

[@onursisman8774]

Stu To be honest if i want a rwd sport car, i would buy an alpine a110-110s. It just better overall for the purpose.

[@living4adrenaline]

Incredibly strange ebrake handle engineering

[@JerainJezza]

Best FWD ring car!

[@georgimihalkov4781]

70 grand for a Megane....For that sort of money I would buy a Megane R26R and a real sports car like the Alpine A110.

[@dado380]

Set of carbon wheels along with ohlins suspen,akrapovic exaust,carbon brakes and etc.. cost 25 grand EASILY.

[@matthewschiebout7384]

Good marketing can sell almost anything, Ring times are VERY important. I don't care. My Mustang sounds great and oversteers on command:) But my car wouldn't set a good time.

[@nishantpatil1247]

dude the mic quality is sooo bad

[@elijahza6682]

The latest one makes no sense at all it is stripped out no back seats yet they make it a 5door 🤣😂

[@samspezza8328]

So a stripped out, max effort example, with carbon brakes and carbon wheels, at twice the price, barely beats the Civic Type R at the ring? Neat!

[@L.r.e_motorsport]

Sam Spezza but it did beat it 🤷‍♂️😂

[@samspezza8328]

@@L.r.e_motorsport what part of "max effort" didn't you get? The Renault is an impractical, limited production car, and the Type R is a mass production, daily driver. A $1,500 set of Michelin Cup 2 tires on the Type R would put it deep in to the 30 second range.

[@MajorAMinor]

@@samspezza8328 The Civic already was on Cup 2 tyres for the record run. For all we know they never made public what tyres they used. Only that they were road legal. So we can assume that they used the fastest available tyres and not the OEM Continentals. As this would have been a brilliant marketing thing if they actually set the record with their OEM Continentals. And as we all know it wasn't anywhere close to a production car anyway, no matter that Honda says it wouldn't matter much. Neither was the FK2. They promised to redo the record run with an actual production spec'd car to prove their time was legit, but of course they never backed it up and we all know why they didn't. Just look at the record times from the Megane on some of the other tracks. On all tracks it beat the Civic by 4 and 5+ seconds on tracks which are 1/3 the length of the Nordschleife. I'll let you figure out yourself about the legitimacy of the Civic Nordschleife time with that. Put Cup 2 tyres on the Megane and it easily shaves off another 3-4 seconds.

[@L.r.e_motorsport]

Sam Spezza yeah basically what he said 😂 I’ll leave you to cry over your Honda 🤣

[@L.r.e_motorsport]

MajorAMinor I’ll just sit here and back what you said, as it’s basically what I would I said anyway 😂

[@polygamous1]

Who doesn't Love we in Britain like the steering on the Right, Right on on this one Cause we Love to hold the steering with our most able hand (the right hand) n change gear with our less able hand,cause we believe controlling the steering is More important far more so in car safety than changing gear, had an agreement on the German motorway with someone about it in 1972 its more of them but yet again Right is Not usually in the majority thanks for this mate

[@ThaDutchDK1989]

bs bs bs renault is french and the build it for lhd drive . cause you ididots want to sith on the wrong side they need to adapt things wich doesnt make sence in everyway. weightdistribution , steering rack etc etc

[@polygamous1]

@@ThaDutchDK1989 easy mate the Dutch are usually kind calm n easy going people, just Please next time you hummer a nail use your left hand n let us know how you got on cheers, by the way we are rightwhy we have the steering on the Right

[@N911GT2]

This guys basically says the same thing 3 times… 😑

[@edmaluf]

My dream 70k car is a Renault. - said no one.

[@mrrokoso]

I do

[@irfaan7868]

I'll take type r fk8

[@ThaDutchDK1989]

wow suprising with that name. its the ugliest hot hatch ever

[@OutVanAbout]

£50k+ or £70k+ for a hot hatch Renault????? 🤯

[@fablan3308]

Too much money For the new car and it's five doors Noooo

[@jep1912]

I'm afraid this has to be one of the driest reviews I've ever seen on Autocar. Come on guys. Buyers in Oz are paying 100k (yup) for the latest R. FFS!

[@gumpy4960]

As great as they are I don’t consider any of the stripped out Renaults true hot hatches as they aren’t practical cars and that is what a hot hatch should be, well partially atleast.

[@CaptainMir]

I can buy five Corolla diesel cars with the money and they are the King of high ways.renault be fkn real.happy Valentine's day all

[@brycem0]

lol, you can only drive 1 at a time. What a shed you are driving. Who compares a diesel powered car to a extreme hot hatch? 😀

[@CaptainMir]

@@brycem0 its no shed and these matchbox cars are cheap thrills for boys one day you will know when you be a man and less selfish

[@hongk0ngfu3y]

70k for a megane :( pick u a r26r and a nissan gtr instead

[@davedave9194]

71k for a Renault????🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@jose36degrees]

Laughs in AMG A45

[@supraJZA80s]

Enjoy your heavy computer game

[@user-vk4vd7vr5t]

And utterly boring.

[@richardhoulton4016]

A45. Straight line acceleration one-trick pony. Boring as batshit to drive. How fast is the A45 around the ‘ring BTW? Actually it’s about 10 seconds slower than the Megane.

[@kimmywong9995]

No taste no skills you are simply applying throttle thats it

[@luketannahill3197]

It’s still a Renault, track day blah blah blah, you can build a 7 min car like this for less than 10k, I see no reason or place in the market for this car, just seems like a waste of materials and a waste of my bandwidth watching how utterly pointless it is.

[@TheWretchedWorld]

Well that would make perfect sense because you drive a golf r. You don't really get it.

[@luketannahill3197]

@@TheWretchedWorld the golf R is one of if not the best car I’ve ever driven for the ROAD, not much beats it as a package and most agree, so that’s a stupid statement that has nothing to do with anything I said. We’re talking about making a 7 min track car and not spending all that money, get a grip mate.

[@TheWretchedWorld]

@@luketannahill3197 You don't have to understand and that's fine. This car isn't for you. As I said you own a mk7 golf r.

[@kylem8811]

@@TheWretchedWorldwe all know that the Golf R is the most boring hot hatch of them all. VW owners would never understand 😂😂

[@kimmywong9995]

No skills at all golf only suitable for those auto idiot. Renault Sport is for true enthusiast who only drive manual

[@theeconomicsofthings9752]

Stupid Renault destroyed Nissan

[@matthewp9015]

Zaki Sadiqi you mean saved them from bankruptcy...

[@theeconomicsofthings9752]

Matthew Pilbrow Saved them temporarily for the short term, but long term... they destroyed Nissan with those unreliable European parts and design

[@ThaDutchDK1989]

@@theeconomicsofthings9752 and you have 2 left hands and a potato brain i see. you dont know where your talking about. if renault is unrelaible why its the most used fwd car on the nurburgring ?

[@theeconomicsofthings9752]

ThaDutchDK1989 I live in America. I not care for some wimpy fwd hatchback. We drive our trucks and suvs here that Europe wish they could drive but they can’t do to the tax

[@TheWretchedWorld]

@@theeconomicsofthings9752 Nissan was doomed regardless if Renault acquired them or not. The 350 - 370z and the R35 GTR was built with Renault money. Keep crying.