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RENAULT R.S. 01
The car is unveiled today at the Moscow Motor Show. Don't forget the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October !
Renault is restating its passion for motor sports with the Renaultsport 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, Renaultsport R.S. 01 is a radical expression of the brand’s sporting DNA. Its technical specifications reflect the best of Renaultsport expertise. With a carbon monocoque 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, Renaultsport R.S. 01 will be one of the stars of World Series by Renault in a new championship, the Renaultsport Trophy, a springboard for the professional GT and Endurance championships.
“Renaultsport R.S. 01 is a racing car of extraordinary design, symbolising Renault’s passion for motor sports. The spectacular design lines reflect in themselves the ambitions of this exceptional car, thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of Laurens van den Acker and his team. Under the bodywork, it is packed with cutting-edge systems from Renault Sport Technologies. The aim is to achieve an advanced level of performance, delivering thrills for both the driver and the public. If we had to sum up Renaultsport R.S. 01 in a few words, we could describe it as a marriage between the beauty of Renault DeZir and the performance of Formula Renault 3.5!”
Patrice Ratti, CEO of Renault Sport Technologies
“Renaultsport R.S. 01 is a spectacular racing car, in the purest tradition of GT. With its high-level sporting capacities, Renaultsport R.S. 01 illustrates the rich expertise of Renaultsport, and its ability to develop the racing cars that will reveal future GT or Endurance champions.”
Alain Prost, Renault Ambassador for motorsport
Spectacular design, inspired by the world of concept cars
A car to thrill at first glance, Renaultsport 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 Renaultsport 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, Renaultsport 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 channelled 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 optimise 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 Renaultsport 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 channelled 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”’ Renaultsport 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 penalise 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.
LMP1 safety standards for the carbon body shell
Supervised by engineer Christophe Chapelain, Renaultsport R.S. 01 was designed in cooperation with benchmark technical partners.
The carbon fibre monocoque 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 litre 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.
Running gear contributing to efficiency
Grip is provided primarily by aerodynamic downforce and this is reflected in suspension design. In the same way as on sports prototypes, a conventional double wishbone layout has been adopted with pushrods and Öhlins dampers. Adjustable for compression and rebound, the systems are positioned on either side of the body at the front, and longitudinally above the gearbox at the rear.
The braking system combines 380 mm carbon discs from PFC Brakes with six-piston calipers. This choice is an excellent compromise between efficiency and endurance. Renaultsport R.S. 01 is also fitted with Bosch Motorsport ABS.
The partner of Renault Sport Technologies for all its motorsport products, Michelin has developed special 18-inch tyres, mounted on wheels of original design with a central nut.
Three questions for… Éric Diemert – Design Director, Renault Sport Technologies
What were the requirements concerning the design of Renaultsport R.S. 01?
“Renault Sport Technologies wanted to develop a car exploring a new dimension in performance. So it was important for this impetus to be visible in design. Also, the reach of Renaultsport R.S. 01 had to extend beyond the range to make it an iconic brand model. This is why it looks nothing like a production vehicle. The process was similar to designing a concept car in terms of the freedom enjoyed by the team, so that was really exciting.”
What were the main stages in the process leading up to presentation of the mock-up at the Moscow Motor Show?
“All our projects begin with an in-house competition. From 22nd November, 2013, as part of this first phase, sixteen designers from our network of Design centres in France and other countries were able to give free rein to their creative drive. At the end of three weeks, we chose the work of Akio Shimizu, a young Japanese designer working at the Guyancourt exterior design studio. His project was a natural choice for its strength of expression and immediate connection with Renault’s identity. We then made a digital mock-up of his drawings. This took us into the technical phase, based on constant small-loop exchanges with Renault Sport Technologies and Dallara. The aim was to establish the best possible balance between our requirements in terms of design and aerodynamics. With each iteration, performance was verified by means of CFD calculations. We then milled a full-size mock-up. This stage was crucial to validating the vehicle’s proportions and attitude. The result showed our decisions to be sound, so subsequent changes primarily concerned fine-tuning of the body lines, air intakes and extractors. The definitive design was frozen on 25th April.”
How would you assess the result?
“First, we need to emphasize that the entire project was completed in five months. That’s a particularly short time frame compared with the production projects we’re used to. Renaultsport R.S.01 expresses a successful convergence achieved against challenging constraints relating to the quest for top-level performance. With hindsight, I would say that the aerodynamics issue largely guided but - above all - stimulated our creativity! The end product is a source of great pride for the entire team. We’re impatient now to see the cars on the starting grid for their first race!”
More than 500 horsepower
The semi-stressed engine is bolted to the carbon monocoque on the distribution side, and to the roll cage at the top. Prepared by Nismo, the 3.8 litre 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 Renaultsport R.S. 01 between a GT3 and a DTM in terms of performance.
Seven-speed sequential gearbox
The Nismo engine is mated to a longitudinal seven-speed gearbox supplied by Sadev. With an eye to budget management, the same gear ratio sets will be used for all tracks. However, it will be possible to adjust the preload setting of the self-locking differential.
Activated by steering-wheel paddles, the sequential control system is managed by an XAP electromagnetic actuator. Developed specially by ZF Race Engineering, the clutch features an anti-stall function and is designed for an extended service life.
The carbon monocoqued sub 1,100 kg car is powered by a NISMO prepared 3.8 litre V6 twin-turbo engine, derived from the Nissan GT-R unit and developing over 500 hp and maximum torque of more than 600 N.m. It is able to reach a top speed of over 300 kph.
The engine is though fitted with a dry sump system intended to prevent oil surges during long corners. The performance level of the Renaultsport R.S. 01 is between a GT3 and a DTM car.
“A similarly attractive reward will be provided for the “Am” champion, who will have the chance to take part in the 2016 Le Mans 24-Hour event driving an LMP2 prototype.”
Technical
Chassis
Type Dallara carbon monocoque and steel roll cage
Safety Monocoque, roll cage and crashboxes compliant with FIA LMP1 2014 standards, collapsible steering column, Sabelt seat FIA 8862/2009 standard
Bodywork Composites
Aerodynamic features Front blade and splitter, stepped flat bottom, rear diffuser and rear wing
Engine
Type Nismo V6 – 24 valves – 3,799 cm3
Layout Longitudinal central rear
Feed Injection – 2 turbochargers
Max power > 500 hp
Max torque > 600 N.m
Max engine speed 6,800 rpm
Electronic management Pectel SQ6M with traction control
Data acquisition Cosworth ICD Pro
Transmission
Type Rear wheel drive
Gearbox Sadev sequential, 7 speed+ reverse
Control XAP semi-automatic with steering-wheel paddles
Differential Limited slip
Clutch ZF Race Engineering, long service life with anti-stall function
Running Gear & Suspension
Suspension Double wishbone + pushrods
Dampers Öhlins 2-way adjustable
Brakes PFC Brakes 380 mm carbon discs, 6-piston calipers, Bosch ABS system
Steering Hydraulic power steering
Wheels
Wheels Braid wheels, central mounting
Tyres Michelin 30/68 R18 (front) and 31/71 R18 (rear)
Dimensions, Weight & Capacities
Length 4,710 mm
Width 2,000 mm
Height 1,116 mm
Wheelbase 2,744 mm
Front/rear track 1,675 / 1,624 mm
Fuel tank 150 litres
Weight < 1,100 kg