Renault Sport R.S. 01 - customed in the purest tradition of GT

Renault Sport Technologies is the renown department of the French manufacturer which successfully participates in various racing series such as the famous Formula 1, a few single-seater championships and the Renault Clio Cup.

From 2005-2013, there was also the Eurocup Renault Megane V6 Trophy and after expectations that went on for a full year, RST came out with a new project and new car. The name of the new one-make racing series is Renault Sport Trophy and the new car is Renault Sport R.S. 01.

Here is what you need to know when buying a new Renault.

Renault R.S. 01 is one step above Megane V6. The only similarity is the V6 engineeverything else is completely different. It isn’t hatchback any more but a true GT racing car that can be competitive to world famous GT’s.

“Renault Sport R.S. 01 is a spectacular racing car, in the purest tradition of GT. With its high-level sporting capacities, Renault Sport R.S. 01 illustrates the rich expertise of Renault Sport, and its ability to develop the racing cars that will reveal future GT or Endurance champions,” said Alain Prost, F1 Champion and a man who knows what a racing car should truly be like.

The R.S. 01 is made with a Dallara carbon monocoque chassis and a steel roll cage according to FIA LMP1 safety standards. The aerodynamic package has front blades and a splitter, stepped flat bottom. The rear diffuser and rear wing in the same time is functional and has a good sporty aggressive appearance. The car is 4710 mm long and 2000 mm wide, while the height is only 1116 mm. It weighs 1120 kg.

In R.S. 01 Renault Sport Technology is using an engine of its Japanese partner Nissan. The car, Nismo V6 with 3799 ccm capacity is mounted with a longitudinal central rear. The engine has two turbochargers which help to increase max power to 550 hp (at 6800 rpm) and max torque to 630 Nm at 5000 rpm.

All that power is delivered to rear wheels over 7-speed semi-automatic gearbox and limited slip differential. R.S. 01 is using 18-inches Michelin tyres, underneath are PFC brakes with 380 mm carbon discs and 6-piston calipers.

The numbers and the look are impressive, now we just can wait to see the new car in racing mode. The season starts at the end of May at Spa-Frankorchamps.