Performance Review: Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 - [2007]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault Megane Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2007. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8.This particular Renault Megane has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Megane shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Megane's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1345 kgs (2965 lbs) this makes the Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault Megane shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 221 bhp (164 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 229 lb-ft (310.4 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault Megane you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (189.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault Megane.

The Renault Megane has a Power to weight ratio of 164.3 bhp per ton and 170.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2007 Megane competing with the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (189.3 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (188.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Renault Megane generating around 170.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible (195.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (195.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Megane and the 2006 Infiniti G35 3.5 V6 X

When talking about the performance of the Renault Megane on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.66 secs @ 93.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Infiniti G35 3.5 V6 X (14.60 secs), the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 (14.62 secs), and the 1998 Toyota Mark II 2.5 Tourer V (14.62 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2007 version of the Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 has a maximum speed of 147mph.

Top Speed of the 2007 Megane equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (158 mph).

Related Links:

2007 Megane Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison