2005 Renault Megane Trophy

FRIDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2004 - MEGANE TROPHY: THE STAR OF THE SHOW! Continuing the sporting tradition of the Renault 5 Turbo, Alpine, Spider and Clio V6, all of which made their marks on European race tracks over the last 25 years, the Mégane Trophy - unveilled at next week\'s Paris Motor Show - is set to take to the grid in 2005. Renault designers have taken the Mégane Renaultsport 225 and refined its sleek lines to come up with a silhouette racer resembling the awesome German touring cars. It’s bodywork - lowered by a full 10 centimetres - widened wheel arches and rear diffuser combine to give the 155mph plus Mégane Trophy incredible looks and a powerful stance. Renaultsport’s latest offering pulls out all the stops to deliver a powerful product with single-seater values. Its tubular chassis, mid-engined V6 powerplant and semi-automatic gearbox make this a top level racing machine. The 3.5-litre V6 engine fitted to Espace and Vel Satis powers the engine of the Mégane Trophy but in this case, the unit develops more than 320hp and features semi dry sump lubrication. The Megane\'s electronic control system is by Magneti-Marelli and covers all engine, gearbox and automatic clutch management functions plus the data acquisition that is essential for drivers and engineers to unleash every fraction of the car\'s performance. Driveability is also enhanced by the specially-designed Michelin tyres, while stopping power comes courtesy of ventilated discs with six-pot callipers at the front and four-pot at the rear. In dynamics terms, strong power-to-weight ratio and wind-tunnel developed aerodynamics, make Mégane Trophy comparable with some GT racers. Next spring, around 30 Mégane Trophy racers will feature in a championship covering eight European race meetings with two races at most venues. After its grand unveiling on the Renault Compétition stand of the Paris Motor Show (Hall 7.2), the Mégane Trophy will be given an initial shakedown at the end of October before the first development tests get underway in November.

Source - Renault Media

Renault has released official pictures of its awesome Mégane Renaultsport Trophy racer following the car's recent debut at the Paris Motor Show. Although motorists will not see the show-stealing 320hp Mégane Trophy on the road, the car will be racing throughout Europe – including visiting the ÚK – next year.

With styling based on the powerful Mégane Renaultsport 225, the Mégane Trophy race car will compete in its own one-make championship covering eight European race meetings beginning next Spring. Approximately 30 Mégane Trophy racers will take part in the series on tracks in the ÚK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium.

The ÚK race will be on Sunday 11th September 2005 at Donington Park in Leicestershire.

The full Mégane Trophy calendar will be unveiled this month following publication of the F1, MotoGP and WRC schedules.

Renaultsport's latest offering has taken the already powerful and impressive Mégane Renaultsport 225 and evolved it into the Trophy race car with a tubular chassis, mid-mounted V6 powerplant and semi-automatic gearbox. Its bodywork has been lowered by a full 10 centimetres, with widened wheel arches and added rear diffuser, all combining to give the 155mph-plus Mégane Trophy awe-inspiring looks and ensure it is a top level-racing machine.

The 3.5-litre V6 engine fitted to Renault's Espace and Vel Satis powers the Mégane Trophy but in this case, the unit develops more than 320hp and features semi dry sump lubrication.

The Mégane Trophy's electronic control system is by Magneti-Marelli and covers all engine, gearbox and automatic clutch management functions plus the data acquisition that is so essential for drivers and engineers to unleash every fraction of the car's performance. Enhanced driveability comes from specially-designed Michelin tyres, with stopping power courtesy of ventilated discs with six-pot callipers' front and four-pot at the rear.

In dynamic terms, the Mégane Trophy is comparable to some GT racers thanks to its strong power-to-weight ratio and wind tunnel-developed aerodynamics.

The Mégane Trophy will be given an initial shakedown at the end of this month with first development tests getting underway in November.

Source - Renault