Renault's New Racecar is Like a Mid-Engined GT-R
Though we likely won’t see this race car on our shores, the Renaultsport R.S. 01 is definitely worth checking out thanks to its impressive stats and gorgeous design.
A midship design that utilizes a tuned version of the Nissan GT-R engine, the Renaultsport R.S. 01 send out 500 hp to the rear-wheels. Unlike the GT-R though, this car is light, weighing in under 2,400 lbs.
The sexy styling hides the fact that Renaultsport set out to make one of the most aerodynamic and efficient race cars ever. A carbon monocoque chassis is used and the car meets all FIA LMP1 2014 safety standards. Renault says that the aerodynamics cause no drag and does not impact the vehicle’s top speed.
In terms of performance, the Renaultsport R.S. 01 is positioned somewhere between GT3 and DTM cars, although it won’t be raced in either of those series. Instead, it will be used in a new one-make, customer series called the Renaultsport Trophy.
Positioned between the Clio Cup events and professional championships, like World endurance championship, DTM and Japanese Super GT, the Renaultsport Trophy is considered to be a gateway to bigger and better events.
The inaugural, 2015 season will be open to twenty “Pro-Am” teams, classified according to the rules of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Pro winners will be given a chance to compete in the 2016 Japanese Super GT, while amateur winners will take part in a 2016 Le Mans 24-Hour event driving an LMP2 prototype.
GALLERY: Renaultsport R.S. 01
Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.
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This and the R8 On a track Bring stopwatches