| World debut | 2008 British International Motor Show | 2008 Mégane Renaultsport R26.R |

Renault stole some of Ford's hot-hatch thunder at the British International Motorshow by revealing its very own flagship performance hatch. The Renaultsport R26.R is Renault's most extreme version of its brilliant fast Mégane yet, it shaving 123kg from the kerb weight of the 230 F1 Team R26. The R26.R weighs in at just 1,230kg. To achieve that massive weight reduction Renault has had to go to pretty extreme levels, it adding polycarbonate windows and a carbon bonnet and binning items such as the rear seats, the radio/CD player, soundproofing and air conditioning. The French firm has even removed all the airbags apart from the driver's. Underlining the extreme nature of the new R26.R it features race seats and six-point harnesses and is also offered optionally with a roll cage.

The cumulative effect of the lightening and some suspension alterations is that the R26.R is able to reach 62mph in just six seconds, despite Renault making no changes to the engine. The R26.R produces the same 227bhp as the 230 F1 Team R26. Most importantly for its hardcore kudos though is the fact that the R26.R has achieved an 8-minute 17-second lap time around the Nurburgring. That's the fastest time ever for a front-wheel drive production car. It is likely that Ford's Focus RS will be challenging that record soon, but until then hot-hatch trackday fans can get their hands on the R26.R for £22,990. Renault is bringing just 230 examples to the UK, each wearing a plaque with its production number.

Kyle Fortune - 24 Jul 2008