Aside from the new Megane 5door hatchback, the Laguna Coupe and the Odelios luxury crossover concept, details and pictures of which have already been released, Renault will perform three more world debuts at next week’s 2008 Mondial De L’Automobile in Paris. According to the French automaker, the Paris show will see the global unveiling of a third model in the new Kangoo family, plus a further concept car and a production model.

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Even though what you’re seeing in these pictures is most likely a clay model, this is how the production version of the three-door Megane will look like when it goes on sale in early 2009. The photos that come to us from a patent application made within the EU reveal that the 3door variant of Renault’s subcompact hatch draws its inspiration –though heavily toned down- from the Megane Coupe Concept that appeared at the Geneva motorshow earlier this year. Compared to the 5door model, the Megane Coupe features a substantially sleeker profile thanks to the lower roofline, the triangular-shaped rear windows and the sloped rear-end. Under the bonnet, expect to see a similar engine range with the Meagen 5d. What this means is that petrol engine options will include 1.6-liter units developing 100 and 110 HP, a 2.0-liter motor with 140 HP and two new turbocharged units, the 1.4-liter TCe producing 130 HP and the 2.0-liter TCe with 180 HP. For those that favor diesel power, Renault will offer the Megane Coupe with several dCi units delivering between 85 and 160 HP.

No word yet on whether Renault will introduce a successor to the almighty Megane RS and its special edition siblings like the R26 and the lightweight R26.R that lapped the ‘Ring in 8 min and 17 sec , but judging from the French automaker’s past, a range-topping sport version should be considered a done deal.

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The limited edition Renault Megane R26.R made its world premier today at the British International Motor Show. Virtually a track-ready version of the Megane RS 230 F1 Team R26, the R26.R may not have the forthcoming Focus RS’ 300Hp but according to Renault, on 23 June it established a new lap record for a front wheel drive production car of the Nürburgring circuit with a time of just 8 minutes 17 seconds.Based on the Megane 230 F1 Team R26, the R26.R retains the same 230 Hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, 6-speed gearbox (albeit with a short-shift gear linkage) and limited slip differential but with a significant weight reduction of 123kg or 271 lbs. This was achieved with the removal of the rear seats, passenger and curtain airbags, A/C, rear wash/wipe and heated rear window, front fog lamps, headlamp washers, radio/CD player, most of the soundproofing. Moreover the R26.R obtained a carbon fibre bonnet (saves 7.5kg), tailgate and rear side windows in polycarbonate (saves 5.7kg), sabelt seats with carbon fibre shell and aluminum base (saves 25kg)

Renault also upgraded the car’s suspension by re-calibrating the shock absorber settings and adding new front / rear springs and stiffer lower arm bushes. The brakes have also been updated with large 312mm ventilated discs at the front with Brembo four-piston calipers. To resist fade, the discs are grooved as opposed to drilled.

The R26.R accelerates from zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 6 sec and passes the 1000 meter mark in 25.9 sec. Not that anyone interested in a car like this would car but the R26.R’s combined fuel consumption is 33.2 mpg UK (8.5 lt/100km or 27.7 mpg US) and emissions are 199g/km.

On the outside the R26.R can be distinguished from the carbon fibre bonnet and new 18” alloy wheels in red or black together with a new rear spoiler, plus R26.R decals and logos and tinted polycarbonate in place of glass in the tailgate and rear side windows. Additionally, the car’s ‘Ring time is etched on the windows. Renault’s track ready Megane R26.R is available in seven colors, two of which are new to the Megane, Racing Blue and Lunar Grey and one is totally brand new, Pearlescent White.

Inside the R26.R features competition seats with a carbon fibre shell and six-point harnesses -the first time that this form of restraint has been homologated in a production car. Also the steering wheel and gearlever gaiter are in leather and suede. Furthermore, buyers can opt for a full roll cage.

The Megane R26.R will go on sale in October but production limited to just 450 examples in total - 230 for the UK, 126 for France, 26 for Spain, 26 for Switzerland and 26 for Germany In the UK, the price for Renault’s radical Megane has been set at £22,990 OTR ($46,000 or €29,000).

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Even though the official launch of the hot Renault R26 R isn’t scheduled until the London Motor Show at the end of July, a couple pics of the race-ready hatch have been leaked. Powered by the same 169kW (225 hp) 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as its sibling, the R26 Megane, the R26 R differs with a serious performance edge. The interior features a roll cage and carbon-fiber seats — best to match the new carbon-fiber hood. The dual exhaust is upgraded to lightweight and corrosion-resistant titanium alloy. New bright-red 18-inch wheels shod with optional semi-slick tires connect the performance-tuned suspension to the asphalt. Compared to the Megane, the R model trims 125 kg (275 lbs) of weight, bringing it down to a svelte 1,235 kg (2,722 lbs). With a limited-slip differential driving the front wheels, performance is said to include a sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than six seconds, but we bet its true performance capabilities are much more evident carving curves on the track. Production of the R26 R will begin in November. As expected, don’t plan on seeing any in the States.

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