Renault Megane F1 Team R26 voted 2007 Sports Model of the Year

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The French motor sport magazine Echappement considers the Renault Megane F1 Team R26 to be the 2007 Sports Model of the Year. Renault's previous winners in this category are the Renault 5 GT Turbo in 1985, Clio 16S in 1991, the Spider Renault Sport in 1996 and Clio Renault Sport in 2000.

The 10 finalist are :Final Standings

1 - RENAULT MEGANE F1 TEAM R26
2 - Peugeot 207 RC
3 - BMW M3
4 - Lotus Europa S
5 - RENAULT CLIO F1 Team R27
6 - Audi S3

7 - Honda Civic Type-R
8 - Mazda3 MPS
9 - VW Golf GTI Edition 30
10 - Opel Corsa OPC

Renault Press Release:



Megane F1 Team R26 voted 2007 Sports Model of the Year

French motor sport magazine Echappement has singled out Megane F1 Team R26 as the winner of its much-coveted Sportive de l’année (Sports Model of the Year) award. It is the fifth time that Renault has lifted this highly prized accolade. Previous winners were the Renault 5 GT Turbo in 1985, Clio 16S in 1991, the Spider Renault Sport in 1996 and Clio Renault Sport in 2000. Renault is now the carmaker which has won the highest number of Sports Model of the Year titles since Echappement introduced the award in 1982.

Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, Megane F1 Team R26 is the sportiest member of the Megane Renault Sport family. A panel of Echappement writers and guest readers voted it Sports Model of the Year 2007. Magazine readers also sent in their votes, choosing 10 models from a list of cars that had come to market during the year. The 10 short-listed vehicles were then tried out on stages used during this year's Rallye du Limousin in the west of France and then round the Mas du Clos circuit in the central French department of La Creuse. During the test drives, the panel of judges assessed the performance of the would-be sports models of the year. Rally driver Bryan Bouffier also took

part, bringing his expertise to bear and pushing the cars to the limit.

The purpose of the award and test procedure was to single out the car with the most suitable credentials to become the Sports Model of the Year. The process avoids head-tohead contests – vehicle specifications and market positioning are just too different. The factors taken into consideration were the vehicles’ performance, of course, their price and the general philosophy that underpinned them.

When voting was over, Megane F1 Team R26 totalled 83 points, ahead of the Peugeot 207 RC which had 72 and the BMW M3 (69). Clio F1 Team R27 was rated a very honourable fifth, ahead of much more powerful vehicles.

Megane F1 Team R26 is manufactured at Renault's Dieppe plant (Normandy) and was first retailed in April 2007 throughout Europe and in certain other high export markets. It accounts for 57 per cent of Megane Renault Sport petrol engine sales.

Its success has earned it the right to a commercial career that has been extended to the beginning of 2009.

Final Standings

1st, RENAULT MEGANE F1 TEAM R26
2nd, Peugeot 207 RC
3rd, BMW M3
4th, Lotus Europa S
5th, RENAULT CLIO F1 Team R27
6th, Audi S3
7th, Honda Civic Type-R
8th, Mazda3 MPS
9th, VW Golf GTI Edition 30
10th, Opel Corsa OPC

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Source: Renault