Renault has come up with a new toy based on the Mégane Renaultsport 250, in form of a N4 rally car. Based on group R regulations this car is specially tuned for tarmac use and you can buy it and enter different competitions as a privateer, or just use it to have fun! The Megane RS N4 is powered by a 2.0-litre 16V turbo engine tuned to give 265hp and torque of 470 Nm.

That’s not the best thing about it though. It comes with specially tuned chassis and suspension which make it a real perform The PerfoHub independent steering-axis front suspension design has allowed the engineers to put together a chassis that combines traction, directional stability and driving comfort in complete safety. The use of three-way adjustable shock absorbers also allows the settings to be adapted to all types of driving style. The car also gets a a five-speed H-pattern gearbox.

With this car, Renault Sport Technologies wants to offer an innovative, reliable and high-performance package that is both easy to handle and economical to run.

TECHNICAL DATA
N4 Kit Price 57,500 euros, £48,250

CHASSIS
Type Steel monocoque with welded roll cage
Bodywork Steel

ENGINE
Layout Front transversally-mounted
Type Renault F4RT RS – 4 cylinders – 16 valve – 1,998cc
Bore x stroke 82.7 x 93 mm
Fuel injection / ignition Cosworth Electronics Management System
Maximum power 265hp from 4,000 rpm
Maximum torque 470 Nm at 3,000 rpm
Maximum revs 6,700 rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type Front-wheel drive
Gearbox 5-speed gearbox + reverse
Layout In H configuration
Differential ZF type, limited slip, self-locking differential
Clutch Hydraulically-controlled single disc

AXLES AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
Front PerfoHub independent steering axis suspension, Öhlins double-piston shock absorbers, 3-way adjustable + hydraulic rebound
Rear Programmed deflection, torsion beam suspension with coil springs, Öhlins twin tube shock absorbers, 3-way adjustable + hydraulic rebound
Discs 355 mm ventilated discs (front) and 290 mm solid grooved discs (rear)
Calipers Four-piston one-piece (front) and double-piston one-piece (rear)
Handbrake Hydraulic

WHEELS AND TYRES
Rims 8×18 one-piece aluminium wheels
Tyres BFGoodrich 225/40 R 18

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES
Length 4,302mm
Overall width 1,848mm
Height 1,423mm
Wheel base 2,640mm
Front and rear tracks 1,627mm – 1,600mm
SCx 0.75
Fuel tank 60 litres
Kerb weight Information available upon FIA homologation

STEER TO PERFECTION
First used at the end of the 1980s on the Superproduction version of the R21 Turbo, the independent steering-axis front axle was first introduced on a production car on the Mégane Renaultsport. By allowing the suspension and steering to work totally independently of each other, this mechanism allows MéganeRenaultsport N4 to benefit from handling and grip of the highest quality.

THE LATEST IN SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
Designed in conjunction with Öhlins, the suspension consists of four spring-shock absorbers using the most recent technologies available. The hydraulic rebound shock absorbers are three-way adjustable (high and low-speed compression, rebound). This allows for a vast range of settings to fit the road profile, level of grip, weather conditions and driving style. The quality of these suspension systems allows drivers to get the most out of the BF Goodrich tyres, mounted on 18-inch rims, and release their full potential on long special stages.

BRAKE SYSTEM
At the front, Mégane Renaultsport N4 is fitted with 355mm-diameter discs and four-piston one-piece calipers. At the rear, the grooved disc taken from the standard production model is fitted with double-piston fixed calipers. As required by racing regulations, the ABS is disabled. Inside the cabin, a limiter system allows the driver to control rear braking pressure. In accordance with the regulations, the master cylinder and pedal assembly are taken from the production model. Essential on hairpins, a vertical lever-operated hydraulic handbrake has been added to the standard braking system.

ENGINE AND GEARBOX: AT THE HEART OF EVERY RENAULT SPORT
One of the major strengths to be carried over from MéganeRenaultsport250 is the F4Rt 1998 cc 16-valve turbocharged engine. With no specific preparation performed on its internal parts, Renault Sport Technologies guarantees control over budget and engine reliability. The main developments are to the engine flywheel and the electronic engine management system developed by Cosworth Electronics to enhance performance despite the adoption of a regulation 33mm turbo restrictor. The engine on the Mégane Renaultsport N4 generates a maximum power output of 265hp from 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 470 Nm at 3000 rpm. In order to optimise performance on special stages, the air intercooler can be sprayed with water. The specific exhaust line incorporates a catalytic converter compliant with FIA standards and an expansion chamber.

SAFETY: NO COMPROMISE
A priority in every phase of design and development, safety is an essential part of all the production and competition models developed by Renault Sport Technologies.

The Mégane Renaultsport monocoque has been strengthened and stiffened to bring both active and passive safety close to perfection. The bodyshell is fitted with a welded roll cage, which is compliant with FIA regulations and has been validated by static load calculations. In the cabin, all the compulsory safety equipment is supplied by Sabelt. Two bucket seats fitted with HANS-compatible six-point harnesses, as well as an electrically-controlled automatic fire extinguisher system and a cut-out switch are all included as standard in the Mégane Renaultsport N4 racing kit.