Renault is restating its passion for motor sports with the Renault Sport R.S. 01, a racing car of spectacular styling and exceptional performance. With a design inspired by the world of concept cars and governed by an absolute pursuit of aerodynamic downforce, Renault Sport R.S. 01 is a radical expression of the brand’s sporting DNA. Its technical specifications reflect the best of Renault Sport expertise. With a carbon monocoque chassis for a weight of less than 1,100 kg and an engine developing over 500 hp, it is able to reach a top speed of over 300 kph. From 2015, Renault Sport R.S. 01 will be one of the stars of World Series by Renault in a new championship, the Renault Sport Trophy, a springboard for the professional GT and Endurance championships.
SPECTACULAR DESIGN, INSPIRED BY THE WORLD OF CONCEPT CARS !
A car to thrill at first glance, Renault Sport R.S. 01 sets out to be one of the world’s most efficient GT racers. With every stroke of the design pen, in the body lines and in the detail, the aim was twofold : to make Renault Sport R.S. 01 an iconic Renault vehicle, and to contribute to track performance through a constant quest for aerodynamic efficiency.
The sculpted lines of Renault Sport R.S. 01 bring to mind the concept car DeZir, presented in 2010. In his preliminary study, designer Akio Shimizu was also inspired by Renault Étoile Filante (shooting star), the record-breaking vehicle that topped 300 kph at Bonneville Salt Flats in 1956 ! The air flow is channeled by the lower splitter into extractors positioned behind the front wheels. Running along the doors, these extractors change shape to become intercooler scoops. This provides effective cooling for the turbochargers.
POWER AND STRONG IDENTITY AT THE REAR
Looking beyond the adjustable fin, the rear diffuser “pushes”’ Renault Sport R.S. 01 to the track, extracting the air flow sweeping under the flat bottom. This system has a huge advantage in that it creates no drag and so does not penalize top speed. The diffuser is topped by a twin exhaust and LED lights, completing the original light signature that extends across the width of Renault Sport R.S. 01 almost in its entirety.
THE AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF A SINGLE-SEATER As a result of the considerable efforts devoted to aerodynamics, Renault Sport R.S. 01 is able to achieve an exceptional level of performance beyond that of a GT3 and closer to that of a DTM. CI (lift coefficient) and CdA (drag coefficient) are similar to those of a Formula Renault 3.5. At the top speed of 300 kph, the downforce of 1.7 metric tons is equivalent to that of a Formula Renault 3.5, the benchmark single-seater in the World Series by Renault.
