The Racing Legacy That Yielded the Renault Megane RS Ultime
Renault Sport cars have been pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering and design for over 20 years. Here’s a quick run-down of the cars that paved the road for the 2023 Renault Megane RS Ultime.
Spider Renault Sport Roadster
Spider Renault Sport Roadster
Starting with the bold Spider Renault Sport Roadster in 1995, Renault Sport has been committed to producing high-performance vehicles that are designed to deliver an unforgettable driving experience.
Clio R.S + Clio V6
Renault Clio V6
After the success of the initial Clio Williams, Renault Sport launched the Spider, which combined an aluminium chassis with a mid-rear engine, setting the foundation for the brand’s future sports cars. This was followed by the Clio R.S., which surpassed the performance package of the Clio Williams, and the iconic Clio V6, which is now a coveted collector’s item.
Mégane + Mégane 4 R.S.s
Renault Mégane 4 R.S.s
Renault Sport then turned its attention to the Mégane, developing successive model versions with the same passion and bid for performance. The team behind the Mégane’s development had solid experience in motorsport, which allowed them to carry over the lessons learned on the racetrack and rally stages to the road cars.
The hydraulic compression stop that first appeared on the Clio R.S. was a fruit of their experience in rallying. Four-wheel steering was another technology that was introduced on the Mégane 4 R.S.s.
Mégane R26R
Renault Mégane R26R
The radical R26R began a new era for Renault Sport. The team was tasked with turning the Mégane 2 R.S. into a competition car by removing the rear
seat, replacing the windows with plexiglass, and fitting a titanium exhaust, carbon bonnet, and more.
The Mégane R26R set records at the Nürburgring in Germany, which has every type of corner, from slow to medium and extremely fast, and is so demanding that everything suffers. Vincent Bayle set the first record in 2008, driving the R26R, while Laurent Hurgon set three more records in the Mégane 3 Trophy, Mégane 3 Trophy-R, and Mégane 4 Trophy-R.
Mégane 4 Trophy-R
Renault Mégane 4 Trophy-R
Laurent Hurgon, who was part of the team that developed the successive versions of the Mégane, has a particular soft spot for the R26R and the Mégane 4 Trophy-R. The latter kept the team on their toes as the bar had been set very high in terms of performance. When Laurent went for the record in the Mégane 4 Trophy-R at the Nürburgring, it was the only time he had to resort to a second lap.
Mégane R.S. Ultime
Renault Mégane R.S. Ultime
On May 1, 2021, Renault Sport Cars were renamed Alpine Cars, and the Mégane R.S. Ultime will be the last of the R.S. opus.
Unveiled in January 2023, the Mégane R.S. Ultime benefits from the unique know-how of the designers, engineers, and experts who have helped to forge the reputation of Renault Sport at Les Ulis (France) these past 20 years. Renault Sport has been devoted to producing high-performance vehicles that are designed to deliver an unforgettable driving experience, and the Mégane R.S. Ultime is no exception.
South African sport car enthusiasts will appreciate Renault Sport’s commitment to high-performance vehicles that are designed to deliver an unforgettable driving experience. To find out more about the Mégane R.S. Ultime, or any other Renault models we currently have on our showroom floors, feel free to get in touch with the Group1 Renault team.
