Renaultsport Megane R26R (2008) CAR review and video

Dreaming of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS but living with a hot hatch budget? Renault’s stripped-to-the-bones Megane R26R is the answer. Based on the acclaimed R26, the R version is the most extreme factory hatch since Renault’s own Clio V6. But instead of adding a big engine and more kilos, Renault has left the engine alone and cut out the flab to create the ultimate track-day hatch.

So what do you get over the regular Renaultsport Megane R26?

It’s more like what you don’t get. There are no back seats, no front foglights, no rear wash wipe, radio or much soundproofing. Even the headlamp washers and heated rear window element have been left in the parts stores.

What you do get is a carbonfibre bonnet, competition-style bucket seats, plastic rear side windows and the option of a titanium exhaust (for £2250). You can even have a full harness, the R26R being the first road car to be homologated with racing belts. All told, a serious 123kg has been culled from the R26: at just 1230kg, the R is barely heavier than a Clio.

Brisk, is it?

Although the engine is no more powerful, the diet process improves the power-to-weight ratio from 168bhp to 185bhp-per-tonne. And with the optional sticky track day rubber and standard-fit diff biting into the tarmac, it’s no surprise that the R hits 62mph in just six seconds, a half second improvement over its more docile R26 sibling.

It feels rapid enough and emits a jet-style hrrrrrrrrshhhhhhhhh when you’re giving it death and rushing the light and quick, but knuckly gearchange home. Because there’s no turbo lunge, it doesn’t feel massively faster than a Focus ST or any other mainstream hot hatch. But some of that is down to the chassis, which is so good that you know it could handle a whole lot more power.

Scroll down the page to the embedded player to view Renault's unedited footage of the Megane R26R

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