The Red Bull Racing team and engine supplier Renault are celebrating their third consecutive Formula One Constructor’s title with a special edition of the French manufacturer’s range-topping hatchback, the Mégane Renault Sport Red Bull RB8.
The Mégane RB8 (named after the championship-winning racecar) boasts an exclusive Twilight Blue paint finish in homage to the hue used by the Formual One team. Other standout exterior features include Red Bull decals on the doors, and Platinum Grey finish on the front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror housings, boot spoiler and on the lip of the 19-inch alloys.
Inside, the RB8 gets numbered door sills (only 800 will be made available worldwide), and of course Recaro bucket seats with Red Bull stitching, as well as a leather-covered steering wheel and gearknob topped with RS logo.
Powered by the company’s 2,0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor that sends drive to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, the Mégane RB8 is claimed to sprint from zero to 100 km sprint in six seconds and goes on to a top speed of 255 km/h. As the RB8 comes in Cup specification, it also gets a mechanical limited slip differential to help put the power down properly.
One of RB8’s highlights is the inclusion of Renault’s RS monitor and R-Link system. Using the car’s 7-inch infotainment screen, the system can relay real-time torque and power usage, boost, throttle, brake, steering angle, lateral force and engine speed. Or just lap times… Drivers will also be able to map the throttle pedal at the touch of a button. The RS maintenance function also relays the vital stats of the tyres, brake pads and discs to the cabin. For convenience, the data is transferable through a USB memory stick.
Buyers will also benefit from the Renault Advanced Driver Training programme that includes high-performance and defensive driving techniques.
The Renault Mégane RS Red Bull RB8 is available for R429 900, which includes a 5 year/150 000 km mechanical warranty and 5 year/100 000 km service plan. Only 50 units have been allocated to South Africa.
