Does this car give you wings?

A car containing Red Bull in its name?  Surely that has never been done before.  Does it give you wings?

As the Red Bull tagline, accompanying its always witty adverts, goes: “Red Bull. Gives you wings.”  So what would be the reason for Renault and Red Bull co-naming a car, you might ask… unless you’re an F1 fan.  Renault and Red Bull Racing collaborated to release this Mégane RS Red Bull RB8 as a special edition in celebration of the team’s 3rd F1 Constructors’ world title.  Surely worth celebrating!

Mégane RS models have had previous Formula 1 linked special editions like the previous pert-derriere Mégane RS F1 Team R26.  The current Mégane Renault Sport (hence the easier RS) was launched to great applause, having metamorphosed from drastic-looking angular hot hatch (that stick-out rear is just unforgettable, but was not repeated) into svelte coupé.

Rather than building yet another car to want to take on the Golf GTI hot hatch, Renault chose to go for a 3-door coupé.  It was in 2010 when we saw the Mégane RS appear in its new shape (shape, both in the sense of generation and body).  It was out with the hot hatch, and in with the hot coupé.

Renowned for their exceptional sporty styling and dynamic performance since their inception almost a decade ago, the Mégane RS variants have established a loyal fan base around the globe.

Offered in 2.0-litre 184kW turbo, this powerplant was given a slight upgrade, explaining its new name suffix “265” to announce power upped to 195kW (hence the 265 indicating horsepower output).  Torque was bumped up from 340Nm to 360.  On the road, this RS has the exciting turbo power, rated at 0-100 km/h at exactly 6 seconds, and able to reach 255 km/h. 

Its raspy distinctive go-go-go exhaust turbo whoosh, which was so much a driving-fun ingredient in the original Mégane RS, was thankfully carried over… its presence enjoyed in any Mégane RS, whether taking the sporty RS Sport 265, the more hardcore RS Cup 265 with its Cup chassis (a big deal in Renault Sport world) and flashy wheels, or this Red Bull Racing RB8, which is an extension of the Cup model.  Pricing for these are currently R 359 900 for the Sport 265, R 399 900 for the Cup 265, and how many R’s for the Renault RS RBR RB8? R 429 900.

Instead of the RS-specific bright metallic yellow, the RB8 is painted in a colour reserved for this special edition, inspired by the Red Bull Racing F1 cars – called Twilight Blue, this deep navy blue metallic creates an alluring appearance, offset by Platinum Grey detailing on the front splitter, rear diffuser and mirror housings.  The only “wings” its got are the rear roof spoiler and its wing (exterior) mirrors.  But proof that it has earned its wings is a monochrome laurel on the rear side windows, which proudly bears testimony to Renault Sport and Red Bull Racing’s collaboration in taking the 2012 F1 Constructors’ world title.

Carrying on from the sports-car interior feel of any Mégane RS, the RB8 has Recaro leather bucket seats, a leather steering wheel with RS insignia on the gear knob, and Red Bull Racing specially numbered door sills, to remind of the sport/racing heritage and credentials.

To expand on the technical details – this special Mégane RS shares the already-super Cup model’s quintessential Renault Sport features, including limited-slip differential (LSD), Brembo front brake calipers, traction-enhancing tyres on 19-inch black alloys with Platinum Grey detailing, and the feel-like-a-racecar-driver RS Monitor with R-Link system to show torque, G-forces and other telemetry. 

Only 800 Red Bull Racing RB8 cars were made available to the world, with South Africa allocated only 50 units, sure to be flown off the showroom floors by the RS following.

The Cup chassis and big wheels make the ride quite, erm, firm… but at the next long sweep you’ll forget all about any negatives, and just marvel in the steering, grip, crisp 6-speed manual, and the turbo sound and acceleration.  Uplifting!