Mégane RS N4, new weapon on asphalt

After announcing the birth of the Mégane RS N4, Renault presented its new car on the asphalt of the south of France, at the end of the Rally of the Var. The French manufacturer, which is further expanding its range of cars for competition? customers (Clio R3, Twingo R1 and R2), hopes to make it the new queen of the asphalt.

This car indeed displays figures that would make its rivals pale. With a 2.0 16V Turbo engine developing 270 horsepower? and a torque of 470 Nm?, it also benefits from the contribution of Cosworth Electronics concerning electronic management, optimizing its performance despite the installation of a 33 mm turbo flange, in accordance with Group N regulations.

The most open element in terms of modifications compared to the production model, the gearbox benefits from improvements intended to improve its reliability. The latter is equipped with a ZF type limited-slip self-locking differential.

On the road, these qualities are quickly felt. Lively when starting and efficient when braking, Mégane RS N4 nevertheless remains very agile thanks in particular to an independent pivoting front axle. In addition, its two-wheel drive gives it better adaptation to changes in direction, which will be a major advantage compared to the Mitsubishi and Subaru, equipped with four-wheel drive.

« She has many qualities, confirms Manu Guigou, Renault driver who participated in its development. It benefits from great agility, especially compared to Mitsubishi and Subaru, and good braking quality. It is equivalent in power but above all faster than the Clio R3, which is a benchmark in the world of rallying. Everything that the regulations allow has been exploited; We therefore mainly worked, during development, on braking and shock absorbers. She is young, at the beginning of her development but she is already accomplished. »

François Champod, technical director of Renault Sport, has high hopes for this car, describing its qualities for AUTOhebdo.fr. “ It's a car that has a very nice look, which is already a first asset. Its strong points lie in the suspension, which was specially developed by Öhlins. It's very high-end. In terms of brakes, we offer the best with highly rated Brembo monobloc calipers. The production car already has a good engine but we managed, despite the restriction, to increase the power to offer a car at 47 meters/kg (470 Nm). Compared to the Clio R3, we are almost six tenths of a second ahead per kilometer, knowing that the Clio is at the end of development and that the Mégane can still evolve »

The latest car from Renault Sport Technologies is now the spearhead of the brand? on asphalt rallies. “ It only does asphalt because you cannot fit “dirt” wheels on the car, continues François Champod. The independent pivot front axle prevents us from fitting 15-inch wheels. But, on asphalt, we hope to be quite a lot faster than the other cars in group N. It accelerates really well and goes very far in top speed, up to almost 200 km/h. »

Guillaume Canivenq, 2009 French Rally Champion and who also participated in its development, confirms that the Mégane RS N4 was born. “ I immediately had a good feeling with the car. We had four days of splendid testing. It will be a very good car against the competition, whether in France or abroad, in two-wheel drive. And, in group N, I think Mitsubishi has something to worry about. The Mégane is very powerful, has a lot of torque. It has a splendid chassis and very good suspension. »

Approved to run from March 1, Mégane RS N4 will have sporting objectives. “ For our customers, we want to provide a product that is in the best possible position, explains Jean-Pascal Dauce, competition director at Renault Sport. We believe we are bringing a very capable vehicle in two-wheel drive. She will aim for the first places. And, in group N, it will face four-wheel drive vehicles. When the grip does not bother us too much, we will be able to play for victory in group N. »

« N?Having only two-wheel drive can even be an advantage, adds Manu Guigou. Maybe not on soft ground, like at Le Touquet. But the fact of not having four-wheel drive with a bridge and a “drag” driveshaft, which would already penalize us in terms of weight, is a positive point. With two-wheel drive, on surfaces with normal grip, you immediately have maximum power when re-accelerating. »

It is therefore in 2011, after March 1 (date of its approval), that the new weapon from Renault Sport Technologies will be able to prove itself. During the Rallye du Var, before the tests reserved for the press, Mégane RS N4 had already been able to show itself to the public, playing the role of opener of the event in the hands of Guillaume Canivenq.