We can’t think of a better pairing of two adrenalin pumping stimulants than Red Bull and the Renault Megane R.S. They’ve come together for a limited edition car called the RB7, and an unmissable photo opportunity with F1 pilots Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.
This latest limited edition RenaultSport joins the Clio and Twingo in getting the Red Bull Racing RB7 treatment. Why RB7 you may ask? Well, the Red Bull F1 team has been using Renault engines since 2007, hence the ‘7’. We are rather besotted with the fast Renault Megane. As you may already know, we used the 265 Trophy to claim a solid second place finish at the 2012 Renault Simola Hillclimb in the media challenge, (bettered only by former multiple national champ Deon Joubert – Ed.)
Perhaps then it is a bit odd that Renault have introduced an engine stop/start system that changes power output rather than simply offer even more performance with the RB7. The RB7 receives the same engine as the Sport or Cup Megane R.S., with 184 kW and 340 Nm when the stop/start system is active.
Then, when you switch the system off, the RB7 goes all ‘Incredible Hulk’ on itself and becomes a 265 Trophy with 195 kW and 360 Nm – the ‘265’ nomenclature is a reference to the car’s horsepower. The rest of the car features Renault’s Cup chassis, a limited-slip differential and red brake callipers, as well as the Renault Sport Monitor.
The visual enhancements for the limited edition R.S. include: Etoilé Black body paint; a checkered flagpattern roof decal;Sirius Yellow detailing on F1-style front blade, door mirror housings and rear diffuser; as well as plenty of Red Bull graphics and a numbered plaque to go with your purchase.
With the introduction of engine stop/start technology, the RB7’s fuel consumption is pegged at a claimed and combined figure of just 7.5 L/100km (down 0.7 L/100km) and CO2 emissions are 174 g/km (down 16 g/km).
The RB7 will be available in 24 countries worldwide, but is unlikely to make the long journey down to South Africa. That’s fine because at R 409 900, the locally available Renault Megane R.S. 265 Trophy is still the high performance bargain of the decade – if you’re thinking about it, don’t, we urge you to go buy one before they are all taken!