Renault Megane RS Trophy 2019: Hardcore hot hatch revealed

Renault has revealed the most hardcore version of its Megane R.S. ever; a fire-breathing Trophy edition that's seen the French hot hatch break through the 300 horsepower barrier for the first time.

In terms of hot hatches, the Trophy is positively on fire. The most powerful R.S. variant ever, the Trophy’s turbocharged 1.8-litre engine produces 220kW and 420Nm - enough to push the 1419kg (minimum unladen) hatch to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds. Seriously quick, then.

Be warned, though; those outputs are when paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, with the numbers falling slightly to 220kW/400Nm if you opt for the six-speed manual.

All sorts of dark meddling has occurred to squeeze out the extra power (up from 205kW and 390Nm in the standard Megane R.S.), with Renault focusing on both the turbocharger setup and exhaust design to eek out the gains. 

The Trophy will ride on Renault's cup chassis, meaning a mechanical limited-slip differential is standard kit, while the shocks, springs and anti-roll bars are all considerably firmer, too. The Trophy also gets the four-wheel steering system introduced on the regular R.S. - an active system that turns the rear tyres with or against the front tyres, depending on how fast you're going.

While full specification is a long way off being confirmed for Australia, we also know to expect 19-inch, diamond-cut alloys outside, while in the cabin you'll find Recaro seats and Alcantara trim.

We'll see the Trophy locally in the second half of 2019, with pricing yet to be confirmed. But it shan't be cheap, landing somewhere north of the $47,490 sticker price of the regular Megane R.S.

Is the Trophy Renault's hottest hatch ever? Tell us in the comments below.