Renaultsport R.S. 01 race car revealed by Renault

Renault has revealed the Renaultsport R.S. 01, a race car with the twin-turbo V6 from the GT-R with 493bhp but weighing just 1100kg.

Heading for the Renault World Series Championship next year, the Renaultsport R.S. 01 has been unveiled this morning by Renault as a race car that sits between a GT3 sports car and DTM race car in terms of performance.

Built round a carbon monocoque – developed with Dallara – the R.S. 01 weighs in at under 1,100kg and comes with the 3.8 litre twin turbo V6 from the Nissan GT-R, tuned in the R.S. o1 to deliver 493bhp and 442lb/ft of torque.

Renault may have dropped the output of the engine from the GT-R, but they have fitted a new dry pump system (so the oil doesn’t disappear under hard cornering), with the seven-speed sequential ‘box driving the back wheels with paddles.

Braking power comes courtesy of 380mm carbon fibre discs with six pot calipers covered by specially developed 18″ alloys with Michelin rubber, and the suspension is double wishbone with pushrods and Ohlin dampers. There is also a big wing at the back and a rear diffuser to help with downforce.

Alain Prost (yes, that Alan Prost) said:

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.

In terms of design, Renault say the R.S. 01 is inspired by the Renault Dezir concept and also by the Renault Étoile Filante, a record-breaking Renault that hit 300kph at the Bonneville flats in the mid 1950s.

The Renaultsport R.S. 01 is eligible to take part in the Renaultsport Trophy next year – part of Renault’s World Series – and is on sale now.