Renault SA has confirmed that it has secured just 50 of the Mégane RenaultSport Red Bull Racing RB8 Special Edition for South Africa - one of which will be the star of the Renault stand at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, opening on 16 October at Nasrec.
Created to celebrate Renault Sport and Red Bull Racing's third Formula One Constructors' World title, it's available only as a three-door, in dark metallic blue with satin silver detailing on the front splitter, rear diffuser and side mirror housings - inspired by the Red Bull Racing F1 team livery - and Red Bull Racing graphics on the door sides.
It's the first RenaultSport model with in-dash RS Monitor and R-Link, combining performance tracking with navigation in a 3D graphics display on a 180mm touch-screen with 3D technology.
TRACK-DAY TELEMETRY
The RS Monitor V2 software displays - in real time - torque, power, boost, throttle, brake, steering angle, lateral G-force and engine RPM, while computing front-wheel slippage and lap times - as well as the RS Maintenance function that displays wear and tear of tyres, brake pads and discs - all easily transferable via USB.
Away from the track, R-Link displays real-time traffic info, high-definition maps and the 'face' of the Arkamys radio/CD/MP3 audio system, telephony, Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity.
BY THE NUMBERS
Mechanically the two-litre turbopetrol Red Bull Special Edition is the same as the Mégane RS Trophy 265, with RS Cup chassis and suspension, as well as a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Renault quotes some very impressive numbers - 195kW at 5500rpm, 3600Nm at 3000rpm, 0-100km/h in six seconds flat, 255km/h top speed, 19” STEEV alloy rims finished in gloss black with silver-grey detailing and Bridgestone Potenza 235/35 tyres.
And the most important number of all? R429 900
That brings with it a few more numbers, such as a five-year or 150 000km warranty and a five-year or 100 000km service plan.
Renault also offers each RB8 Special Edition customer an advanced driver training course, including high performance race track and skid pan courses, as well as training for the day-to-day hazards that face drivers on our public roads.