Video: Extreme hot hatches - Mini JCW GP vs A1 quattro, Focus RS500 and Megane R26.R on track

Tiff Needell and Richard Meaden test the new Mini JCW GP against the Audi A1 quattro, Ford Focus RS500 and Renault Megane R26.R on track.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPnAtNbrygk]

Renault Megane RS Red Bull Racing RB8 Limited Edition

To celebrate their third Formula 1 Constructors’ world title, Renault and Red Bull Racing have released the new limited edition Mégane RS Red Bull Racing RB8. Painted in the exclusive Crépuscule Blue color used by the Red Bull F1 team, the limited edition Mégane RS sports Red Bull's colors for the second year in a row.

Besides the special color, the sports hatch also sports Red Bull graphics at the rear and on the sides, together with Platinum Grey details such as the F1 blade, door handle, door mirror housings and rear lip spoiler. Those who are very attentive to details will also notice a monochrome laurel on the rear side windows that celebrates the team’s 2012 Constructors’ world title.

On the inside, the Mégane RS Red Bull Racing RB8 comes with exclusive features such as Red Bull Racing branding on the numbered aluminum sill guards and carpet mats. The logo also appears on the headrests of the Recaro seats, which are trimmed in new leather/fabric upholstery.

The limited edition Mégane is shod as standard with high-performance Bridgestone tyres, of the same model used by the Mégane Trophy to establish a new lap record for the Nürburgring. They are fitted to exclusive 19-inch black wheels with grey pin striping.

As far as equipment is concerned, the Mégane RS Red Bull Racing RB8 is available with the in-dash, connected R-Link multimedia tablet that has six functions (navigation, telephony, multimedia, vehicle, systems and R-Link Store applications catalogue). There’s also the 2.0 version of the RS Monitor that brings special Red Bull Racing home page, a more user-friendly and intuitive interface and the fact that certain information can be displayed in 3D form.

Technically, the limited edition version is the same as the Mégane RS, featuring a Cup chassis, limited slip differential and 265-hp 2.0-liter engine. The Renault Mégane R.S. Red Bull Racing RB8 will be available in 26 countries until September 30, 2013. Prices in France start from €36,000 ($46,400).

[gallery ids="1333,1334,1340,1337,1335,1336,1338,1341,1339,1332,1344,1342,1343,1345"]

[Source: carscoops.com]

Video: Renault Megane Trophy V6...The wildest taxi on Earth !

Megane Trophy V6 and its driver will take you on a thrilling ride around Paris!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5onTdstpeY]

It’s very probably the last vehicle on Earth you’d imagine as a taxi, but it must surely rank as one of the coolest. Yes, it’s for promotional purposes and therefore you’re very unlikely to hail the Renault Megane Trophy V6 you see in this clip on L’Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Doesn’t stop us from wishing we could, though – what’d we give to hear that 400 hp/422 Nm 3.5 litre V6 at full pelt just behind our ears as the World Series car mercilessly doughnuts around the French capital’s Place de la Concorde. A few of its fares, however, clearly seem to be begging for merci.

A comparatively tamer relation is the Renault Megane RS 265 Cup (although still a right scorcher with 265 hp and 360 Nm of twist from its turbocharged 2.0 litre four-pot unit), which launched in Malaysia at the beginning of the year.

[gallery ids="893"]