Renault’s Red Bull special

In true Renault Sport style, this three-door hot hatch Special Edition coupe version comes packed with smart technology and combines the best of Renault Sport and Red Bull Racing.

The vehicle is being marketed in 26 countries worldwide, and with only 50 of these masterpieces now available in South Africa, the Megane RS Red Bull Racing RB8 Special Edition looks set to become an exclusive and desirable Megane RS variant.

The Twilight Blue body colour is the first of many attention-grabbing finishes, and features that ‘wow’ you when you first catch sight of the new Megane RS RB8 Special Edition.

The exclusive body colour together with satin silver detailing takes its inspiration directly from the Red Bull Racing F1 team’s famous colours, with the addition of the Red Bull Racing decaled graphics on the door sides hallmarks of this Special Edition.

In addition to its sporty credentials, elegance is a stand-out feature thanks to exterior Platinum Grey detailing on the front splitter, rear diffuser and side mirror housings which provide the perfect foil to the Megane RS RB8’s striking Twilight Blue body finish.

Completing the package is a monochrome laurel on the rear side windows, that bears testimony to Renault Sport and Red Bull Racing’s collaboration in taking the 2012 F1 Constructors’ world title.

The sporty good looks extend to the interior. The 2013 MEgane RB8 Special Edition variant comes with several exclusive features including Recaro leather bucket seats, leather steering wheel plus RS insignia on the gear knob. Red Bull Racing and specially numbered door sills which underscore the Special Edition’s F1 heritage and credentials.

The Megane RS RB8 delivers sizzling performance, it is claimed, from a four cylinder, 2.0 litre, 16-valve turbo engine under its hood.

With exceptional power output of 195 kW at 5 500 rpm and maximum torque of 360 Nm at 3 000 rpm, this is one hot hatch and delivers a 0-100 km/htime of just 6.0 seconds and boasts a top speed of 255 km/h.

The Megane RS RB8 adopts the Mégane RS CUP chassis and suspension configuration which comes additionally equipped with a mechanical limited slip differential (LSD).

By transferring engine torque to the wheel with the most road grip, the LSD unit ensures optimum traction at all times and whatever the conditions, while consequently pushing back the threshold of the ASR and ESP intervention.

The combination of the LSD and the independent steering axis front suspension minimises the effects of torque steer, enabling the driver to profit fully from the Megane RS’s formidable grip and handling.

With a high-performance braking system featuring Brembo red four-piston front brake callipers, the discs are grooved to deliver outstanding stopping power and a high resistance to fade.

Traction-enhancing ultra-low profile 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza 235/35 R19 tyres are fitted to stunning 19-inch Steev black alloy rims with Platinum Grey detail.

The inclusion of the Renault Sport Dynamic Management three-mode Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) allows the driver to choose the degree of electronic aid required in different situations in three stages.

This includes the default ‘Normal’ mode, ‘Sport’ for less intrusive ESP action and ‘Off’ for ultimate driver control.

The newcomer sports the proven engine, performance, brake, steering, wheels and weight specs as the Megane RS Trophy 265 and affords an owner unprecedented performance linked to superlative handling, head-turning styling details plus genuine F1-inspired driving dynamics.

This special edition comes with the exclusive introduction of the advanced in-dash RS Monitor and R-Link system to the Renault RS range.

This progressive system combines the performance tracking function with that of navigation, and has been ranked at the forefront of technology with its large seven-inch touch screen and 3D technology.

RS Monitor V2 displays real time torque, power, boost, throttle, brake, steering angle, G lateral force and engine RPM.

It also computes front wheel slippage and lap times. Modification of accelerator pedal mapping is at the the touch of a button. New to the system, is the RS Maintenance function which displays wear and tear of tyres, brake pads and discs.

This data is also now easily transferable via USB.

In keeping with smart technology, R-link features real time traffic optimisation and high definition maps as well as the Arkamys Radio with CD and MP3, telephony, Bluetooth, USB and iPod.

As is the case across Renault’s entire product range, the Megane RS RB8 comes with Renault’s industry-leading five-year/150 000km mechanical warranty, a five-year/100 000km service plan and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty. Services are at 10 000km intervals.