Only moments after reporting the new Mégane R.S. Trophy-R sighting, Renault has announced it has toppled the Honda Civic Type R's 7:43.8 front-wheel-drive Nürburgring record, and the company released a video showing it covering the Nordschleife in 7:40.1.
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Renault finally released some specs for the Megane RS Trophy-R. It retains a turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine with the same output as the Trophy with 296 bhp and 295 pound-feet of torque.
To achieve the quicker time, the Megane RS Trophy-R goes on quite a diet to shed 130 kilograms (287 pounds). Renault doesn't yet explain how this weight loss happens, though. The model allegedly has no rear seats and comes standard with a rollcage both for safety on the track and for added stiffness. Plexiglas windows would also save a few kilos.
Gallery: Honda Civic Type R test mules spy shots
Now, Honda will be under pressure for the Civic Type R to regain its record at the Green Hell. Spy shots (see above) indicate that the Japanese automaker's engineers are already preparing for the challenge by developing an upgraded CTR. There's no info yet about when the revised model might debut.