Introducing the Renault Mégane world rally car

British specialists at Prodrive to build Mégane Rallycrosser.

Renaultsport fans struggling to contain themselves about the impending Mégane RS now have something to chew on in the seductive not to say downright horny shape of this Prodrive Renault Megane World RX car.

While some are yet to be convinced by the World Rally Championship, the incredibly fast and exciting World RX format is giving rallycross a big renaissance. The scheduled 2018 arrival of this Mégane is at the very least confirmation that this thrilling series will be running again next year.

Based on the latest model Mégane, it will have a 2.0-litre turbo engine and will be driven by former free skiing world champion Guerlain Chicherit – clearly a man who likes a bit of excitement in his life. Guerlain has already competed in 2015 and 2016 RX events but next year will mark his full entry under the GCK team banner.

"I absolutely trust Prodrive to build the best car,” he said. That’s something Prodrive will be doing from its Banbury base. If you’re planning to go to the French round of this year's championship at Loheac on September 1-3 you’ll get a sneak preview of the car.

"It has long been an ambition of ours to compete in the FIA World Rallycross Championship,” said Prodrive boss Dave Richards. “It is the fastest growing motorsport series in the world and gives us the opportunity to use all our engineering experience to create a car capable of winning the world title."

Tony Middlehurst is a writer for PistonHeads.