Inspired by the racy Red Bull Racing F1 team, this hot Megane gets RBR paint, lots of Red Bull branding and 7-in screen with real-time power output data, 0-62mph times and G-Force diagram

Fettle your inner Vettel with the Megane Renaultsport Red Bull Racing RB8

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 9:52 AM

Renault Megane Renaultsport Red Bull Racing RB8

The new Renault Megane Renaultsport Red Bull Racing RB8 is limited to 30 units in the UK, so be quick if you want to bend it like Vettel

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Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel has earned himself quite a few fans the world over – not sure how many in the UK, mind – thanks to his supremely focused and determined attitude to racing. Hard and fast, as long as the car is perfect. And faster than all the other cars. Much of the same can be said about the Renault Megane Renaultsport 265 – it’s focused, very fast and pretty much agreed to be the best car in its class. Well if exclusive, energy beverage-inspired hot hatches are your thing, you might just be one of the 30 UK customers destined to buy this new Renault Megane Renaultsport Red Bull Racing RB8.

It’s the same car as the ‘stock’ Megane 265 – with a very juicy 265bhp ready to rock from a 2-litre turbocharged engine – the best chassis on the block, and the kind of cornering and braking skills that’ll have your eyes on stalks. The standard 265 is a back lane weapon; this RB8 looks jazzier too.

The immediate difference is the colour; an exclusive Twilight Blue paint that mirrors the racing hue on the RBR F1 cars, while Red Bull Racing graphics at the rear and on the flanks let everyone around you know that you’re down with the Bull. Platinum Grey highlights on the front ‘blade’, door handles, door mirror housings and rear spoiler break up the blue, and there’s a monochrome laurel on the side windows celebrating RBR’s 2012 F1 Constructors’ world title. You get the same 19-inch alloys, but painted black.

Inside, the Bull-powered Megane gets Red Bull Racing branding on the numbered aluminium kickplates and floor mats, with the same snorting logo for the Recaro seats that have been freshly trimmed in a new leather and fabric combination.

Another new touch for this limited car is the R-Link multimedia tablet that features six functions – navigation, telephone, multimedia, vehicle, systems and an R-Link Store applications catalogue – all controlled using either the touch screen display, voice command function or joystick on the centre console. Racers will like the real-time access to power output data, 0-62mph times and a G-Force diagram. Try to match the Gs experienced by Vettel on race day, if you dare.

The Renault Megane Renaultsport Red Bull Racing RB8 goes on sale in the summer, with pricing to be confirmed. 

By Daniel Anslow 

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