Mumbai: French car maker Renault has introduced the Mégane R26.R, limited edition model, developed by Renault Sport Technologies. The Mégane R26.R will be the latest addition to the Renault sports family, which includes the Clio Renault Sport, Clio F1 team R27, Mégane Renault Sport, Mégane Renault Sport dCi, Mégane F1 Team R26 and the soon to be released Twingo Renault Sport.

Mégane R26.R will be manufactured  a limited edition of 450 cars at the Alpine Renault factory in Dieppe, France. Unveiled at the  London Show, Mégane R26.R, Mégane R26.R is due to go on sale in October 2008.

Mégane R26.R is based on Mégane F1 Team R26 and uses the same engine, gearbox and limited slip differential, but has been lightened by 123kg and features specific suspension calibration. The car that has been engineered for performance and extreme driving enjoyment.

Renault Sport Technologies has bestowed Mégane R26.R with several features that give it unique looks and distinguish it at first glance from other Mégane Renault Sport models. The varnished carbon bonnet and specific red 18-inch wheels underpin the new car's exclusivity, while the exterior styling sports a new spoiler and graphics. The quarterlights and rear screen are made from extra-tinted polycarbonate.

Customers can order in a choice of seven body colours, including three new shades, namely Lune Grey, Nacre White and Dynamo Blue.

The cabin carries over the sports calling of its exterior styling, including the use of leather and suede for the steeringwheel and gearlever bellows. Mégane R26.R is also equipped with Sabelt bucket seats and harness belts, and is the first touring car to have aviation-style six-point harness belts as the sole homologated restraint system. The absence of rear seats serves as a further pointer to the car's radically sporty character which is further emphasised by the numbered plaque fixed to the centre console.

Mégane R26.R is powered by the same 2.0 Turbo engine as Mégane F1 Team R26 which is mated to a manual six-speed gearbox with a shorter linkage for even quicker gearshifts. This engine boasts peak power of 230hp (169kW) and torque of 310Nm. Indeed, one of this powerplant's key features is the availability of the latter across an extremely broad rev range, with 90 per cent of maximum torque being available between 2,000 and 6,000rpm.

The car accelerates from zero to 100kmph in 6.0 seconds and covers the standing start kilometre in a mere 25.9 seconds. Its homologated combined cycle fuel consumption is 8.5 litres/100km, equivalent to 199g of CO2/km.

On 23 June 2008, Mégane R26.R established a new lap record for its category round the legendary Nürburgring in Germany with a time of 8 minutes and 17 seconds, which confirms its extreme performance calling.

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