Renault Sport R.S. 01 racecar unveiled
Renault, the French automobile manufacturer is relatively a newcomer in India with their first launch in 2011. While the Indian subsidiary is comparatively an adolescent stage, the international spectrum has a different story to tell. The French marque, founded in 1899, has a separate division called Renaultsport or RST dedicated to motorsport, performance-tuning and special vehicles. Recently in June 2014, the Renault Mégane RS 275 Trophy-R developed by the Renault Sport division, set the lap record for a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car at Nurburgring clocking 7:54.36. Further highlighting Renault’s importance in the motorsport arena, they are the engine suppliers to Formula One teams including Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Lotus, and Caterham for the current season.
Such a company introducing a new race car at any motor show will definitely draw enthusiasts to it like a moth to a flame. The Moscow International Automobile Salon (2014) known as the Moscow auto show, witnessed the launch of the Renault R.S. 01 racecar, spelling out Renault’s racing DNA for the one-make series. The R.S. 01 gets power from a Nismo-prepared 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine developing more than 493bhp and a torque figure north of 600Nm. The engine is essentially derived from the Nissan GT-R, as the Japanese car maker is the in-house alliance partner. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed Sadev sequential transmission operated by steering wheel paddles. The race car gets 18-inch alloys shod in fat and low-profile Michelin tyres which are connected to Ohlins two-way adjustable shocks and double wishbone pushrod suspension. A set of 380mm carbon discs with six-pistons bring the R.S. 01 to a halt.
The Renault R.S. 01 racecar boasts a carbon monocoque which meets FIA LMP1 regulations and has been developed in collaboration with Dallara. Renault says that the R.S. 01 weighs less than 1,100 kg which aids in attaining a top speed of more than 300kmph. Additionally, on safety front, the race car features a steel roll cage at the top. At the front, a crash box absorbs energy in the event of frontal impact.
Concerning design, you’’ll definitely see the Audi R8’s design cues here and there. Design bits such as the front facia, and the slopping roofline, show that this car is more like a race-bred version of the R8. The vehicle has an imposing Renault emblem at the front, typical to the current-gen of Renault cars. The headlamp unit features LED daytime running lights running along the brake cooling ducts. The rear boasts of a huge wing that aids in boosting downforce.
The Renault R.S. 01 is 4710mm long, 2000mm wide and 1166mm tall, with a 2744mm wheelbase, and 1675mm front and 1624mm rear tracks. This race car will compete in the Renaultsport Trophy one-make championship, part of the World Series by Renault from 2015. This is aimed at professional amateur teams as a gateway to the GT, DTM, ELMS and WEC championships. Renaultsport will also offer the champion in the professional and amateur classifications a chance to test for the Nismo team for Super GT in Japan and race in the LMP2 at Le Mans in 2016.
