RENAULT SPORT R.S. 01 : A RACING CAR

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.

AN EMBLEMATIC FRONT END, REFLECTING RENAULT’S SPORTING GENES

Like all the Renault vehicles designed under the management of Laurens van den Acker , Renault Sport R.S. 01 displays a prominent logo, the key feature on the front end. The vehicle’s impressive width of 2,000 mm – for a height of 1,116 mm – is reinforced by the signature of the LED daytime-running lights positioned along the brake cooling scoops. 

At the centre of the grille, the air is “sucked in” and channeled by the stem of the chassis towards the two water coolers. It is then expelled through the extractors positioned on the hood. The negative pressure thereby created increases downforce at the front of the car. The large blade of the lower splitter and the stepped flat bottom also contribute to aerodynamics at the front. The two fins on the side of the bumper generate vortices that limit the turbulence of the rotating wheels.

A LOW-SLUNG, SCULPTED PROFILE

Underlined by the graphic pattern running from the headlights to the side air intakes, the low-slung profile is characteristic of a GT with a central rear engine. The imbalance in the overhangs is dictated by vehicle architecture and also by efforts to optimize weight distribution. The windows extending back to the airfoil and the curved shape of the rear bonnet further underline the choices made in design.

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.

A VEHICLE PACKED WITH THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE OF RENAULT SPORT

The technical characteristics of Renault Sport R.S. 01 are on a par with its spectacular design. Providing effective protection for the driver, the carbon monocoque chassis enables a vehicle weight of just 1,100 kg. Installed in a central rear position, the Nismo V6 3.8L twin-turbo engine developing more than 500 hp is mated to a Sadev seven-speed sequential gearbox. With carbon brakes and special Michelin tires, Renault Sport R.S. 01 embodies the full technical expertise of Renault Sport Technologies.

Supervised by engineer Christophe Chapelain , Renault Sport R.S. 01 was designed in cooperation with benchmark technical partners.

The carbon fiber monocoque chassis was a natural choice in order to meet objectives in terms of weight and safety. Italy’s Dallara was responsible for designing and building the chassis, in the same way as for Formula Renault 3.5. The tub, which includes the 150 liter fuel tank, features a steel roll cage at the top. At the front, a crash box absorbs energy in the event of frontal impact. Shaped like a boat’s stem, the design contributes to aerodynamic efficiency. Another crash box attached to the gearbox, plays the same role at the rear of the car. The entire assembly respects FIA LMP1 2014 standards to ensure safety.

Completing the list of safety features are a collapsible steering column, and a Sabelt bucket seat with a six-point harness, compatible with the HANS® system.

MORE THAN 500 HORSEPOWER

The semi-stressed engine is bolted to the carbon monocoque chassis on the distribution side, and to the roll cage at the top. Prepared by Nismo, the 3.8L V6 twin-turbo engine is derived from the Nissan GT-R. The main change in relation to the production model is the dry sump system intended to prevent oil surges during long corners. The Pectel electronic unit features a traction control function.

Turbo pressure is set to deliver over 500 hp with maximum torque of more than 600 N.m. This positions Renault Sport R.S. 01 between a GT3 and a DTM in terms of performance.

Source: renaultsport.com