Renault Just Trolled Honda Again by Stealing the Civic Type R's Spa Lap Record

Renault is trolling Honda once again. After beating the Civic Type R’s record at the fearsome Nurburgring Nordschleife, the Megane R.S. Trophy-R has done it again, this time at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

Recording a time of 2 minutes 48.338 seconds, the Megane R.S. Trophy-R bested the Civic Type R’s record by more than 5 seconds.

Continuing a long tradition for Renault Sport, the Megane R.S. Trophy-R owes its performance to a focus on three key pillars: weight reduction, aerodynamics, and suspension. Limited to just 500 examples globally, the Megane R.S. Trophy-R is around 130 kilograms lighter than standard Megane R.S. Trophy (excluding options) thanks to a radical weight-weight-saving program.

Plus it features a redesigned undertray and more aggressive rear splitter that generates greater downforce. Finally, the overhauled suspension benefits from more negative camber at the front, a bespoke H pattern rear axle, and Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers.

Power is provided by the 300-horsepower turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder that drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and Torsen limited slip differential.

Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R Steals Nurburgring Record from Honda Civic Type R

Two years after Honda set a new record for production front-wheel drive cars at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, Renault has now smashed that record with its new Megane R.S. Trophy-R.

Setting a new record time of 7 minutes 40.100 seconds, it beats the Civic Type R’s time by around 3 seconds. The Megane R.S. Trophy-R is equipped with the same 300-horsepower engine as Megane R.S. Trophy and owes its increased speed to weight reduction (up to 130 kg), improved aerodynamics and the more radical development of its chassis for improved handling.

In the tradition of Renault Sport, this new generation of Megane R.S. Trophy-R does not only owe its performance to its pure power. The Megane R.S. Trophy-R was honed for the track by a small, dedicated team focusing on three aspects: maximum weight reduction, reworked aerodynamics, and a more radical development of its drive axles.

Renault Sport has built on the solid support of established partners working with Akrapovič for the exhaust system, Brembo for the brakes, Bridgestone for the tires, Öhlins for the shock absorbers, and Sabelt for the bucket seats.