Renault Megane sets Nurburgring record

Renault Sport brought a new, limited edition Megane R.S. Trophy to the Nurburgring, and the result was nothing short of a success. The car, driven by Renault development driver Laurent Hurgon, set a lap time of 8 minutes and 8 seconds, which makes it the fastest front-wheel drive car to ever lap the historic, 20.8km long Nordschleife. 

The lap time bested the previous best for a front-wheel drive car of 8m17s that had been set by a Renault Megane R26.R. Renault claims that the reason for the faster time is owed to the 35 extra horsepower and improved tires on the R.S. Trophy

For comparison, Germany's Sport Auto magazine tested an Audi RS4 around the course in 2006 and recorded a time of 8m9s.

“The Megane R.S. Trophy is very much in its element here and feels particularly reassuring despite the uncompromising nature of the terrain,” said Hurgon. 

The Megane R.S Trophy uses a 2 liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 265 hp, a stiffened Cup suspension, fade-resistant brakes and comes with sticky Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires.