Renault has revealed the new flagship Mégane RS Trophy-R, claiming it has grabbed the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for front-wheel-drive production vehicles.

Set to go on sale in select markets before the end of 2019, just “a few hundred units” of the Trophy-R are expected to be produced.

Renault says its new flagship Mégane RS grabbed the record (from the Honda Civic Type R) by setting a time of 7:40,100 minutes on the 20,600 km lap, and a 7:45,389 on the "whole lap" of 20,832 km.

A little confused? Us too (at least, at first). You see, Renault says a new “official course length” for lap times and records has recently been implemented, explaining “most of the lap times and so far unofficial records were registered on the 20,600 km course".

“From 2019, the official course formalised by the Nürburgring is the 20,832 km whole lap of the Nordschleife with start and end of lap time clocking at the start/finish line of the Nordschleife track,” the French firm said. From what we understand, the Civic Type R's time (of 7:43,800) was set on the slightly shorter course.

So, what sets the Mégane RS Trophy-R apart from the standard Trophy? Well, it features that model’s turbocharged 1,8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine (worth an unchanged 220 kW and 400 N.m) and six-speed manual, but is up to 130 kg lighter. It also features aerodynamic tweaks and benefits from what Renault calls “more radical development of its chassis”.

Watch the Nürburgring lap below…

Original article from Car