Renault has pulled the covers off its R.S. 01 race car at the Moscow Motor Show. Designed to compete in the 'World Series by Renault' championship the €350,000 R.S. 01 features a Nismo-fettled 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine taken from the Nissan GT-R.
Exterior
Standing a mere 1,116mm tall, but with a length of 4,710mm, the R.S. 01 is long and low. Slippery too, with every aspect of the exterior subjected to extensive wind tunnel testing to ensure aerodynamic efficiency. As with all current Renaults the diamond badge stands proud at the front where it helps to funnel air towards the twin coolant radiators behind before being expelled through the vented bonnet. In addition to cooling this movement also has an effect on the aerodynamic, so, when combined with the front splitter and bumper fins, should help to keep the front end of the car tracking where the driver wants. To keep the rear in place the R.S. 01 features an oversized spoiler with adjustable fin. While this is going on the R.S. 01 is also being pulled towards the tarmac by the air exiting through the rear diffuser.
Interior
Built around a Dallara designed carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, the interior of the R.S. 01 is pure race car. A Sabelt bucket seat with six-point harness and HANS mounting points are all the creature comforts the driver can expect, but safety is likely to be a more pressing issue than comfort so it is reassuring to note that the R.S. 01 features an FIA LMP1 grade steel roll cage in the cabin and twin crash boxes (one at the front and one built around the gearbox at the rear) that absorb the energy of any impact.
Mechanicals
This is where the R.S. 01 gets interesting. As already mentioned the engine is a Nismo-tuned Nissan GT-R unit. Peak outputs of 500hp and 600Nm of torque are quoted. The main change over the GT-R engine is the fitment of a dry sump system to prevent oil surges while cornering. The Pectel ECU (Engine Control Unit) features a launch control function while the ZF Race Engineering clutch has an anti-stall mechanism. Suspension is by Ohlins while brakes are by Australian specialists PFC. The brakes themselves are 380mm carbon fibre discs with six-pot calipers. Michelin was also called upon to provide unique rubber to go over the bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels.
Anything else?
The new racer is actually the second Renault to wear the R.S. 01 name tag. The original R.S. 01 was the 1977 Formula 1 car, which had the distinction of being the first ever turbocharged F1 racer. It was not particularly successful, earning the name 'The Yellow Teapot' for its tendency to blow up in a cloud of white smoke. Hopefully the 2014 R.S. 01 does not suffer the same fate...