The Megane R.S. Trophy-R is the fastest FWD car at the 'Ring

Say hello to the newest Nürburgring record-holder - the Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R.

Set to be revealed properly at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, the hardcore Megane has already set a time of 7m 40.1seconds around the Green Hell. Behind the wheel was development driver Laurent Hurgon - the same chap who set front-wheel drive records in Meganes in 2011 and 2014.

The previous record holder - the Honda Civic Type R - is 3.7 seconds slower over the same 20.6km distance. A BMW M3 CS is only 2 seconds quicker.

Renault says the Trophy-R will go on sale before the end of 2019, and that only a “few hundred” cars will be available. It uses the same 296bhp 1.8-litre engine as the regular Renaultsport Megane but is 130kg lighter and has better aero and “a more radical development of its drive axles”. Akrapovič did the exhaust, Brembo the brakes, Bridgestone the tyres, Öhlins the shock absorbers and Sabelt the bucket seats.

More as we have it. But for now, watch the lap up top and then tell us, do you even care about ‘Ring records anymore?