With the end of the 2006 Formula One season in sight, and the possibility if another championship for Renault, the
Paris Motor Show was a good a place as any in which to reveal the latest special edition of the Renaultsport Mégane, called the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26.
So what's new and the sceptical amongst you may be asking how it differs from the fairly recent
Mégane Sport 225 Renault F1 Team. Well, the first change is to the power output. As suggested by the name, power is up from 225bhp to 230bhp thanks to remapping and a new exhaust.
Most of us won't notice the increase, but what we should notice are the chassis tweaks. Based on the 'Cup' chassis
we tested, the Mégane F1 Team R26 features different dampers and springs. Damper travel has been extended and the front anti-roll bar is changed. The biggest change though should come from the fitment of a limited slip differential (LSD), aiding traction and in particular appealing to harder drivers.
Renault has changed the tyre specification for this car to Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (235/40 R18) from the usual Dunlop SportMaxx, apparently due to the different demands placed on the tyre from the LSD. The brakes have been uprated too, with Brembo four-pot callipers on the front grabbing 312mm ventilated discs as before, but with a larger servo.
Buyers can opt for the distinctive 'Liquid Yellow i.d.' metallic paint pictured and the motorsport decals are free, though optional. Eighteen-inch 'Anthracite' alloys are standard, matched in colour by the door mirrors. The final aesthetic touch is red paint on the brake callipers.
Despite the enhanced specification, the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 costs the same as the 225 F1 Team edition at £19,570 when UK ordering opens at the end of October.
Shane O' Donoghue - 7 Oct 2006