Renault Megane R26.R (2009) vs Renault Megane Trophy-R (2019) || REVIEW

Want to see your car reviewed? Email [e-mail]
To say these are rare is a complete understatement - Each ‪@RenaultSeries‬ Megane is rarer than a Ferrari LaFerrari - I'm still pinching myself now that I was able to drive either, let alone both back-to-back for this review.
The incredibly kind owner Steve was amazingly generous and put a lot of effort in to let me review his incredible machines so please show him some love in the comments.
Which do you think you'd prefer both before and after watching, and which would you take home (money no object)?
00:00 Intro
00:56 R26.R intro
03:12 R26.R Interior
04:46 R26.R Drive
11:38 Trophy-R Intro
14:33 Trophy-R Interior
16:37 Trophy-R Drive
22:21 The Verdict - Which Is Best?

[@Trophy_R]

Absolutely fantastic review, was a pleasure to meet you and a pleasure to let you take both of my pride and joys out on the road and enjoyed as they should be, thanks again for all you effort you out into making this video and in making the 5 hour journey. Many thanks Steve.

[@johnennis4586]

We're these special order, or could you bob down to your local dealer and put money down?

[@DOO00K]

@@johnennis4586 Bob down to your local dealer. In Oz we didn’t get the R26R but we did get 50 of the 275 Trophy R.

[@scleeve5650]

Well done Steve for owning two very special cars and for letting us see them. For many of us they are far more interesting than the latest high powered hyper hatches etc.

[@Trophy_R]

@@scleeve5650 Thanks for kind words 👌🏼

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, Steve, I still can't believe you've let me take these out ahead of bigger, more established names on KZbin. You know my gratitude already but can't say thanks enough. Looking forward to the next curry and beer!

[@Jon.Rogers]

Steve really is one of the kindest and friendliest guys you''ll ever meet. I've been in both of these cars and Steve drives them just as Renault intended and I can confirm they have very special dynamics - not much out handles these cars on track. Great video and I look forward to seeing more footage - especially products from RenaultSport.

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, Jonathon. He's an amazing guy, treated me like a long-time friend overdue for a catchup. It was a bloody brilliant weekend! And thanks mate, plenty more fun stuff to come on the channel!

[@Jon.Rogers]

@@petrolpoodle6617 You're welcome, keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@tag22061]

Great review and what a top bloke Steve is for letting you drive such special cars! Really cool that these two rare beasts can be properly compared and appreciated. Nicely done!!

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks a million, TAG! A proper petrolhead hero he is and frankly a unique chance to compare these without borrowing from Renault and having their press team watch the video haha! Glad I can say such positive things anyway!

[@DarkStryder360]

Great video👌 Steve is an R26 legend. Glad to see these motors.

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, and I can confirm he absolutely lives up to that reputation in person!

[@supraJZA80s]

Refreshingly good review. I own the 275 Trophy-r which sits between these two but I felt your review gave me a good picture of what these are like!

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, Oscar I really appreciate that. You're a lucky man they're such incredible machines. So unassuming to those who don't know too!

[@martinbrain2365]

Enjoyed it Jim! Keep ‘em coming

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks, Martin, really appreciate it! I didn't know you were a petrolhead mate so it's nice to see you in the comments! What are you driving these days?

[@VarioFelce]

Great review, well done!

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thank you so much pal! Thanks for being one of the first to watch!

[@Trophy_R]

Still my favorite video on KZbin

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much again mate, had the best time! I'm filming my next review this afternoon funnily enough!

[@Scott555ish]

Olly pointed me at this last night. Great Video review and made me miss and realise how good my RS280 Cup was 👍

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks very much, Scott, much appreciated! They're sensational cars! How's the SEAT treating you?

[@Scott555ish]

@petrolpoodle6617 SEAT is pretty good. Lacking a bit of attitude but goes well and glad to have 4WD for British wet winters. Missing a Manual box though but those choices are dwindling.

[@t0rque09]

Another fantastic video Jim and a great addition to your Renault Sport series. Credit to Steve for handing over the keys to his incredible cars. Anyone that's got an interesting car needs to get in touch before this channel blows up!

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much mate, I really appreciate it. It's also testimonial to your RS250 that it keeps up with just how epic these are. I'd say yours is in line with the R26R from a driving thrill perspective!

[@t0rque09]

@@petrolpoodle6617 That's interesting! It would be great to have the 3 of them on track together. Keep up the good work mate, look forward to seeing what you have coming up next!

[@midlifemotors5050]

Great video 👍 I had an R26R from new for 5 years (#17), tracked all over the UK + a trip to Spa (met most owners along the way, very few of these cars have ever been garage queens tbh) and never a single issue. The Toyo R888 tyres weren't particularly good, swapped them out for direzza 03Gs as soon as they were done. Changed to 2 piece discs up front which improved the brake feel/performance and added a larger intercooler as they suffer quite bad for heat soak and therefore a drop off in performance in the warmer months. A very special car indeed, never tired of looking in the rearview mirror and seeing...a rollcage!! The Trophy-R never really did it for me in the same way as the R26R, faster - yes, as special - no.

[@Trophy_R]

R26.R perhaps more special to own and drive, but for me I do a lot of track days so bought the new Trophy R solely for the reason it has a 5 year warranty so I feel more comfortable taking it on longer trips all over Europe having the piece of mind with warranty and Renault assist, if it breaks they foot the bill and all the hassle is taken away, the R26.R still sits in a garage and still gets used and will still get used on local tracks, could say best of both worlds 😀

[@midlifemotors5050]

@@Trophy_R Best of both worlds for sure, like your style 👍 Lovely cars, very jealous!!

[@Trophy_R]

@@midlifemotors5050 took the R26.R out for a blast the other day, as you say, very special car indeed

[@midlifemotors5050]

@@Trophy_R I often wonder what an R26r would feel like after all these years. Probably even better these days 👌

[@bigginhillant]

epic video I'm lucky enough to own a r26r but due to work commitments don't get chance use it for its for been lucky enough to see the cars capability around track in steves r26r amazing

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks very much pal! And you lucky thing, they're simply awesome!

[@JamesAlberts]

Loved the video, great editing and review! Can you please review the Volvo XC40 soon, I’ve heard legends drive it

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, James, massively appreciate it! I will, good sir, I'm very excited - the first car that's made me want to investigate the whole CUV sector at all!

[@Joshkemponcars]

Great editing, great presenting and overall a great video! Enjoyed it and subscribed from a fellow KZbin creator and petrolhead 😎🙌🏼

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thank you so much pal! It means even more from a content creator as you know the graft that goes into making a 33 min video! I recognise your name actually, I'm looking forward to checking you out next 🤜 😁

[@Joshkemponcars]

@@petrolpoodle6617 I thoroughly appreciate the amount of time, money and effort that goes into video production. Keep the content coming! 🙌🏼

[@colinnelson4747]

Loved this review👍 Few people ever understand/want weird, fast Renaults when they're first launched because the numbers don't make sense and then a few years later (decad'ish+) they become sought after. Happy owner of number of 44/500 Trophy-R living in Dubai, UAE where there are two in the country.

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, Colin, I really appreciate it! You lucky man, they're absolutely stunning aren't they! Are there some fun tracks to take it to in the Dubai area?

[@jonnyhoath515]

Great video! I'd love to hear your reaction to an Integra DC2

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, Jonny and I've only heard legendary things from people who've tried enough metal to appreciate what's special. Now to just find one!

[@danjohns6826]

Great review mate good information compared to other KZbin reviewers 👌 I should of brought my liquid yellow trophy for you to drive on the same day lol

[@Trophy_R]

Was a busy day day mate, next time 😀

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, Dan, next time I'm up in the Nottingham area I'd love to see/experience it! Liquid yellow anything is hard not to recommend 😂!

[@johnennis4586]

Bloody hell I forgot these existed. What a fantastic insight into these. In fact I'm getting the French horn for that r26r, and tbh I've always ignored the European stuff.

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks a million, John, I really appreciate that! And I know, it wasn't many years ago that I never gave French cars a look purely on reliability grounds. Now I'm learning that past about 2010 you're mostly in for a good time and the properly special cars are worth any teething issues!

[@bharatmodi6712]

R26 is timeless. The trophy r looks like a regular car. (A class)... yes I've owned trophy 300 and now looking for a ly r26

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Can't go wrong with either though eh, they're just so damn special!

[@LukaszRox]

It would be ideal with mk3 trophy r, but I understand difficulty with logistics of it. I am here first time and propobly will stay for longer. Nice job!

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks very much pal! Glad you've enjoyed so far! And I just feel incredibly grateful that I was given the opportunity at 1k subs (at the time) to drive these two unicorns at all! Still miraculous!

[@LukaszRox]

@@petrolpoodle6617 to me renault sport was an ultimate hh solution. So sad they’ve killed their opportunities

[@scleeve5650]

Got to admire Renault for making these cars. They will be worth a fortune in a few years when the hybrids and electic hatches take over.

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Absolutely mate, I love the fact they probably made piss all financial sense but the right enthusiasts in the company sold it to the marketing team as good for the brand image anyway haha! They're so bloody special!

[@Crotch_Goblin1]

Electroc hatches wouldn't take in a few years 🙄🙄

[@Racingwespe]

Great Car i do have one....Funny thing mine doesnt have the Alcantare in the middleconsole

[@petrolpoodle6617]

You lucky man! What a piece of automotive history to own - and interesting that the alcantara in places must have been optional!

[@Racingwespe]

@@petrolpoodle6617 im not sure the handbreak also is different in mine.. Yes its nice but here (switzerland) almost nobody knows the Car..

[@DOO00K]

Salivating over this review and so jealous of Steve’s garage. But I’m grateful to have a 275 Trophy R.

[@Trophy_R]

275 Trophy R are a great car, watch this space as I maybe be looking for one too.

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Thanks so much, Yuri, I'm glad you enjoyed it and the editing time paid off! Still can't believe I got to compare these icons!

[@supraJZA80s]

That makes two of us 👍

[@ashleytombs]

I know I’m not a subscriber just flicking through KZbin a lot of people don’t know how good the r26r is previously held the FWD lap record round the Nurburgring Since I can remember Renault have always had a lap record round the Nurburgring for FWD They completely dominate this class every single car they make it Breaks the record

[@Peginafication]

Should be "...the GT3 RSs of hot hatches" 😊

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Oooooo yes, you know what, I might have to update the title!

[@Peginafication]

@@petrolpoodle6617 totally your call :-) Great review BTW!!

[@campbell510]

Wish my wife thought the ride on my RB8 was smooth…

[@sasicuomo3973]

Renault💪🔝❤️

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Bloody love them now! Even the controversial auto Clio RS 200 is in my good books! 😂

[@ognjengalic4971]

I'm gonna be that guy...both have electric power steering 😬😬

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Shit me! You're right 😂! Bloody hell! I remember watching a Fifth Gear video where Vicky says something like the RS250 was on the all new electric steering for the first time, so I thought that implied everything was hydraulic before. Nuts!

[@carljoe]

Colum

[@petrolpoodle6617]

Totally!