Description
The Renault Megane R26. R (2008) is an extreme, track-focused hot hatch. By stripping out 123 kg of weight (deleting the rear seats, soundproofing, and airbags) and adding a carbon-fibre bonnet and polycarbonate windows, it achieved an iconic 8:17 Nürburgring lap record. Only 450 examples were built globally. For the UK it was the right car, wrong time; that was the Megane R26R. In 2008 it was a revelation: a lighter, more agile version of the Megane R26 that proved itself on the Green Hell with a lap faster than a Porsche Cayman S. This was a feat of which Renault was so proud the R26R wore its 8:17 time as a badge of honour on its side windows. The plan was to build 450 of the cars at the former Alpine factory in Dieppe, but the global financial crisis if 2008 had other ideas. Just 159 made it to British shores, and I've been lucky enough to own one!I'd much prefer not to sell this car. From the moment I saw it and drove it, it's lived up to the hype, it's a great hot hatch, made all the better for having no rear seats (less weight or co-drivers diluting the experience!). This one is black. Wasn't my first choice, but as these are rare, you buy when you see one... the colour has grown on me, contrasting with the Capsicum Red wheels and dark interior. It came with its car-specific plate; it will leave with its plate, making this car a bit more special than most. The seats are a pain to get in and out of (I'm in my 50's, you may find these a doddle!), but once in, they're excellent on any journey. I've never tracked this car; I didn't need to, it's sharp and focused on any road. The R26. R is well documented as the best hot hatch ever made, including all made to date. The combustion engine manual gearbox hatch genre will soon be gone forever. It's worth sampling the best. The service history isn't perfect, principally as it's spent much of its life in and out of storage, as I've done with it. Since buying it in 2024, I enjoyed it for a few weeks before putting it into storage. It's now out, been serviced by Renault main dealer, who still has Renaultsport technicians (I've had a few RS models, all looked after by these guys), MOT'd (passed with no advisories) and is now ready, with its special reg, for its new owner. Serious buyer only please. Note, it's currently SORN'd. No unaccompanied test drives. No test pilots. Proof of fully comp insurance required for any test drives. Viewing welcome.
