French auto manufacturer #Renault had a racing series of its own which was last called the Eurocup Renault Mégane V6 Trophy when it folded in 2013. Originally starting in 1976, this one-make racing series was created and managed by Renault Sport; the motorsport, performance and special vehicle divisions of Renault. The racing series featured Renault’s Mégane as its model of choice from 2005 to 2013. The Mégane Trophy car was produced by Renault Sport and was a high-end race car based on the Renault Mégane, which continues to be a small, family car that has been in production since 1995.

In 2011, Hot Wheels produced the Renault Mégane Trophy. The majority of U.S. collectors were indifferent to this racing series model, but the European collectors clearly saw this casting in another light and I can remember several folks from Europe (possibly France) being extremely excited for this release. Fast forward to 2016 … the release of the 2016 New Model, Renault Sport R.S. 01 in the HW Exotics Series has collectors taking a second look at its sibling that was released a half decade ago.

Pair of Hot Wheels Renault cars. The Megane Trophy from the 2011 New Models and the Sport R.S. 01 from the 2016 HW Exotics Series (also a 2016 New Model).

As pictured above, these make a great pair when placed side-by-side so I can imagine there are many U.S. collectors who initially passed up on or sold the Mégane Trophy seeking these out once again. Don’t blame the U.S. collectors though as Renault has virtually no presence here in the U.S. thanks to a strategic alliance with Nissan. You will on occasion see Renaults on the road however, if you recognize their diamond-shaped logo. Since they are sold in Mexico, you are more likely to see one if you live in the southwest United States — hence, I saw one just the other day here in Arizona that was wearing a Sonora (Mexico) license plate.

The Hot Wheels Mégane Trophy has only had 3 releases (5 versions total) — 2 colorways in the 2011 New Models (yellow & black), 2 colorways in the 2012 HW All Stars Series (purple & red) and the white one from the 2015 HW Road Trippin’ Series. With the new 2016 Renault Sport R.S. 01, it begs the question, “Will we see more or less of the Mégane Trophy in the future?” Clearly, the new 2016 Renault is the most popular casting (and most current) from #Renault to date. So will that one replace this 2011 one? …or will the 2016 one’s popularity bring a resurgence to the Mégane Trophy casting?

RELEASE DETAILS: Yellow Body (metal). Dark-Tinted Windows. Black Interior/Spoiler. Yellow-Rim, Black Open-Hole 5-Spoke (OH5) Wheels. Black Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# T9686. Released in 2011 as #16 of 50 in the 2011 New Models Series.