Not to be outdone by the new cars and concepts on the Citroen and Peugeot stands in Paris, Renault will draw the crowds with its new silhouette racer based loosely on the Megane Hatch.

The new Megane Trophy may feature styling mimicking the German DTM racers, but will not compete in that series. Instead, Renault will run a one-make series in 2005 on eight or nine European tracks. The Megane name is a little misleading though, as the Trophy shares little with the road car. Not even the Megane Renaultsport 225 boasts such a specification. A heavily modified 3.5-litre V6 nestles in the middle of a bespoke tubular spaceframe chassis, behind the driver. Though this engine can be found in the current Espace and Vel Satis, those cars don't get 320bhp, a dry sump oil system and racing semi-automatic gearbox...

The one-make series doesn't come cheap; a full season is likely to cost more than £120,000. It should run on some great circuits though, possibly including Spa, Le Mans, Donington, Monza and Monaco, which suggests that the championship may support part of the 2005 F1 calendar.

Though Renault has not mentioned the possibility, we would be surprised not to see a limited edition road version of the Megane Trophy, certainly as Clio V6 production is phased out. The Trophy name would fit nicely in the range next to the recently announced Clio 182 Cup. Watch this space.

Shane O' Donoghue - 18 Sep 2004