Yes, the Renault Mégane hatch has a butt that only a mother could love. Just look at it - it's like the design team had distended backsides on the brain or something.
But, when the folks at Renault Sport decided to chuck in a 165kW two-litre turbo engine, it became easier to overlook the stylistic oddity. It got even better when they developed the limited-edition F1 model last year, complete with Recaro seats, stiffened chassis and a set of F1 Team decals.
I've had a soft spot for the F1 edition since I reviewed it last year, and then, almost on cue, they've made it even better again.
By "on cue" I mean that Renault Sport has improved on every area that I could've complained about (as petty as they were). After driving last year's model, I would have suggested a bit more power, some blingier stickers and maybe a limited-slip diff to boot (no pun intended). Precisely what this model, the R26 provides.
The R26 moniker of course refers to the F1 car that won the 2006 Championship with good old Alonso at its helm.
For the sake of word count I'm just going to refer to this car as the R26 from now on, but in actuality it's called the Renault Mégane Renault Sport F1 Team R26. Imagine that in chrome badging wrapped around the Mégane's bum cheeks. Doesn't really matter. Most, including myself, will always refer to this car as "That turbo Mégane. You know, the F1 version".
Anyway, the Mégane Sport has always had a lot going for it in F1 format or not. When it debuted, it knocked the socks off the VW GTi in the power output stakes with 165kW. And now, with this model having been tweaked, it gets four more on top of that. Sure it's just a sprinkling, but when you consider that the Astra OPC came in guns blazing with 177kW and could only muster a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time a tenth slower than this car's, it's perfectly acceptable.
I'm not normally one for flamboyant sticker kits but this car pulls it off tastefully. I reckon the next edition (if there is one) should scrap this chequered flag scheme and rather just apply a decal in the shape of a hand waving a middle finger. That's exactly what these graphics are doing anyway - especially when it comes to those trend-following GTi drivers. This car is their nemesis and an open lane next to this Mégane at a red robot is their worst nightmare.
To be honest, though, the R26 recorded a 0-100km/h sprint time only a tenth quicker than the VW GTi, and three-tenths slower than the new Mini Cooper S according to our tests at Gauteng altitude. A bit of a shocker, but Renault Sport isn't only about drag racing. It's about circuit racing and, with the inclusion of a limited-slip diff, the R26 will leave most of its competition for dead in the twisty bits.
Bit more effort
Imagine taking a hairpin bend (in a front-wheel drive car) and applying full throttle at the apex. Most cars (like Golf GTi) will spin the unweighted inside wheel, resulting in a tyre-smoking, understeering frenzy. But with an LS diff as on the R26, that inside wheel is locked from spinning while the outer wheel (with all the traction) gets all the juice. Now you know why the Americans call an LS diff a "Detroit locker".
It does take a bit more effort from the forearms though. Just turning left at an intersection requires some upper body strength to keep everything headed in the right direction, especially with copious amounts of throttle input. It's all about trade-offs when it comes to making cars perform. Whether it's a stiffer ride due to taut suspension, or heavier steering due to limited-slip diffs. All well worth it in this case.
And that squeaky snail under the bonnet supplying boost demands some attention too. It's always nice to hear a bit of hiss from under the bonnet while driving a turbo. With this car, your robot racing adversaries will get an earful also.
Recaro buckets
There's something hugely satisfying about driving a car like this on the road while knowing that it has all the appointments to make it competent on the track as well. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I personally would like to see more race cars go road and not vice versa.
Like fitting a stereo system to Bernd Schneider's DTM racer and taking it home from the track after race day.
Recaro buckets, LS diff, gummy tyres and stiff suspension are all welcome additions. I'd also like to see a body-coloured rollover hoop inside and maybe some bolt-on fender flares, touring-car style, but that's just me.
Verdict
A perfect fit for those who seek something different to the ubiquitous Golf GTi. Sure it costs a chunk more, but money shouldn't be an issue for potential R26 customers. Unfortunately in this case, you'd be buying an expensive car that commemorates not only an expired championship victory but one with a driver who's left the team.
In fact, the brochure (which can be viewed at Renault SA) shows the R26 driving alongside Renault's 2007 F1 car! What's up with that?