Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy (2011) first pictures

Renaultsport fanatics rejoice! Renault have dusted-off the Trophy nameplate for the new Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy, a 500-unit limited edition model. Set to debut at the World Series by Renault race at the Nurburgring on 18-19 June 2011, the Megane 265 Trophy has been developed to take on hot-hatch rivals including VW Group's Scirocco R and Golf R.

Welcome to the internet, then. The merry engineers at Renault Sport in Dieppe reserve the Trophy monicker for special editions of their working-class hero cars. It started with the 2005 Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy, and continued with the Megane 225 Trophy of the same year.

The 2011 Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy gets a series of engine mods, including a rise in turbo boost pressure from 2.0 to 2.5 bar, and a revised intake. The result is a power kick to 261bhp, from the standard Megane 250's 247bhp. Torque rises to 266 lb/ft, making it the most powerful RS Megane ever. The tweaked engine shaves 0.1 sec off the 0-62mph time (now 6.0 seconds) and top speed goes from 'ou revoir UK license' 156mph to 'yes it's the 265 Trophy, officer' 158mph. The Megane 265 Trophy is officially Renaultsports's fastest ever car. For now...

Helping the RS Megane 265 Trophy's torque-steer limiting front struts and limited slip differential put the power to the ground are a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE 050 tyres wrapped around 19-inch Speedline alloy wheels in brake dust obscuring black. The other exterior clues to this special edition are the red Trophy decals on the doors and front air intake, and LED daytime running lights.

Inside, you'll find standard-fit Recaro bucket seats, Renaultsport yellow seatbelts and trim stitching and the Renaultsport Monitor onboard computer for performance data. Lastly there is the all-important numbered plaque denoting your limited edition status. Just like a Megane Coupe Monaco GP edition, but for people who do trackdays. 

Speaking of which, your purchase of a RS 265 Trophy grants you a year's worth of Renaultsport trackday participation in 2012, valued at £650. The perfect environment to test the expanded performance of the new 265 Trophy.

You'll need £27,820 (add £415  for a Diamond Black roof, the sole option) and you can have one in either yellow or black. But be quick, the UK only gets 50 of the 500-unit run and Renaultsport owners' forums will already be feverishly discussing this exclusive new hot hatch.

The orderbooks open on the 20th June, and first deliveries begin at the end of July. If you're planning on camping out at your Renault dealer to be first in line, do send us updates.

By Mark Hamilton