The Renault Megane range might not be terribly exciting at the moment, but the recently arrived Megane RS 275 Trophy adds some much-needed glamour.
Motoring critics have been blown away by this front-engined beauty, which recently completed a lap of the Nurburgring in 7min 54.36sec.
That's the fastest ring time ever for a front-wheel drive production car.
Of course, that was a stripped down racing version, but the models available to the hoi polloi like you and I are still pretty impressive (the RS and the R). In fact, if you like your car with AC, back seats, radio and sound-proofing, then the more suburban RS Trophy is probably preferable to the pared down record breaker.
It still sports the same 271bhp turbocharged 2.0 litre engine and an eye-catching titanium exhaust. The front axle also boasts a limited slip differential, making it very agile on corners and roundabouts.
The Trophy's handling has enjoyed much praise from the UK’s motoring press, with responsive steering and a well-controlled body often-highlighted. The Recaro seating ensures that what might be a bumpy ride is suitably cushioned.
If you're one of our annual breakdown cover customers to whom the Trophy sounds attractive, you'll have to be pretty quick off the mark to get hold of one: Renault are only planning to ship 100 of the beauties to these shores. For those eyeing the less affordable R model (£31,325), you will have to be even quicker: only 30 examples are heading the UK’s way.
Key stats:
- 0-62 in 6 seconds
- Price: £28,930
- Top speed: 158mph
- CO2 emissions: 174g/km
Breakdown Cover from 
