The limited edition Renault Megane RS265 Red Bull RB8 has been released in Australia celebrating Red Bull Racing’s fourth consecutive clinching of the Formula One drivers’ and constructors’ world titles.
At $49,990, the Red Bull RB8 is based on the identically priced Renault Megane RS265 Trophy 8:08 – the fastest front-wheel-drive production car to lap the Nurburgring.
Limited to 120 cars, the Renault Megane RS265 Red Bull RB8 is differentiated by an exclusive Red Bull Racing-inspired Dusk Blue paint finish and Platinum-coloured front F1 blade, door handles, wing mirrors, rear diffuser and roof-mounted spoiler. Red Bull Racing exterior decals are also joined by branded floor mats and numbered aluminium kickplates.
Apart from carrying over the base car’s limited-slip front differential, Brembo brakes, stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar, the RB8 special – built by the team’s F1 engine supplier and named after its racecar – also benefits from the track-focused model’s sticky Bridgestone rubber.
Wrapped around 19-inch gloss black and aluminium-bordered ‘Steev’ alloy wheels, the tyres help transfer the standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder’s 195kW and 360Nm to the road.
The Red Bull RB8 is also the first Renault Megane RS265 model to offer stop-start engine technology.
The cabin is equipped with Renault Sport-branded black leather Recaro front seats, red seatbelts, a red-stitched leather-wrapped steering wheel and centre armrest, and a carbonfibre-look dash. A gloss black centre console, alloy pedals and a platinum-coloured Renault Sport gear knob complete the appropriately sporting cabin.
Topping off the package is the latest version of the French manufacturer’s seven-inch touchscreen-based R-Link multimedia and navigation system and RS Monitor – the latter allowing drivers record lap and acceleration times and keep track of power outputs and G-forces.
Sadly, the new car misses out on the recently revealed Megane facelift – featuring a new-look front bumper, grille, badge, bonnet, and headlights – not due to be seen locally until the second quarter of 2014.
Following a tradition of limited editions from Renault and Red Bull, including 2011 and2012 commemorative specials, the Megane RS265 Red Bull RB8 is yet to be joined by an equivalently branded counterpart from the F1 team’s official naming rights sponsor Infiniti.
Red Bull Racing and Sebastian Vettel secured their respective consecutive fourth world titles at the most recent round of the Formula 1 in India. The season still has three rounds remaining with this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking place at the Yas Marina circuit.
