Wikipedia

Renault Sport R.S. 01

For the 1970s Formula One car, see Renault RS01.
For the tractor produced in the German Democratic Republic, see RS01.

The Renault Sport R.S. 01 is a sports racing car manufactured by Renault Sport, the performance division of French automaker Renault. It was originally built to compete in the Renault Sport Trophy, the company's one-make racing series, serving as a replacement for the Renault Mégane Trophy. The car was later homologated for Group GT3 by the SRO Motorsports Group for the car to be able to compete in GT3 class racing series.[1][2] The Trophy-spec R.S. 01 is the most powerful one-make racer built by Renault, and also the only race car not based on a production car.

Renault Sport R.S. 01
CategoryRenault Sport Trophy
Group GT3 (SRO homologation)
ConstructorRenault Sport
Designer(s)Akio Shimizu (managed by Laurens van den Acker and Éric Diemert)
PredecessorRenault Mégane Trophy
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon-fiber monocoque by Dallara with steel roll cage and crash boxes, based on 2014 FIA LMP1 regulations
Suspension (front)Double unequal-length wishbones, pushrods, and Öhlins two-way adjustable dampers
Suspension (rear)Double unequal-length wishbones, pushrods, and Öhlins two-way adjustable dampers
Length4,710 mm (185 in)
Width2,000 mm (79 in)
Height1,116 mm (44 in)
Wheelbase2,744 mm (108 in)
EngineNismo and Gibson Technology tuned VR38DETT 3.8 L (3,799 cc) twin-turbocharged 24-valve V6 in a mid-mounted longitudinal configuration
TransmissionSadev 7-speed sequential transmission with limited-slip differential
Weight1,145 kg (2,524 lb) (RST)
1,270 kg (2,800 lb) (GT3)
FuelElf
TyresMichelin
30/68 R18 front
31/71 R18 rear
Competition history
Notable entrantsFrance Team Renault Sport
Netherlands Equipe Verschuur
Spain Marc VDS Racing Team
Italy Oregon Team
Netherlands V8 Racing
Notable driversItaly Dario Capitanio
Netherlands Luc Braams
Netherlands Max Braams
Italy David Fumanelli
Finland Markus Palttala
Netherlands Nicky Pastorelli
France Andrea Pizzitola
Portugal Miguel Ramos
Germany Fabian Schiller
Netherlands Pieter Schothorst
Netherlands Mike Verschuur
DebutCircuit de Spa-Francorchamps
WinsPodiumsPoles
7 (not including 42 from RST)13 (not including 126 from RST)3 (not including 42 from RST)

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2014 Moscow International Automobile Salon.[3]

Car development

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The car was designed in Renault's Guyancourt studio by Japanese designer Akio Shimizu, under the management of Laurens van den Acker and Éric Diemert, the design manager and design director, respectively. According to Diemert, the car was intended to have a design reach beyond the regular process, in a way to make it a unique and iconic model among Renault models, and that the process of designing the R.S. 01 was "similar to designing a concept car".[4]

The design of the R.S. 01, completed in five months,[4] is similar to that of a GT race car, with a low-slung aerodynamic design and imbalanced overhangs due to the vehicle's architecture and weight distribution. The R.S. 01 shares design cues with the 2010 Renault DeZir concept car[5] and the 2012 Alpine A110-50 concept racing car.[6]

In-depth specifications

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The R.S. 01 is powered by a 3.8-liter VR38DETT twin-turbocharged 24-valve V6 engine sourced from the Nissan GT-R and tuned by Nismo and Gibson Technology, which has been modified to include dry sump lubrication and to allow for a longitudinal mid-engined configuration.[7][8] The engine has a redline of 6800 rpm and has been tuned to 550 hp (410 kW; 558 PS) and 443 lb⋅ft (601 N⋅m). This power runs through a 7-speed sequential transmission manufactured by Sadev, with long-lasting, anti-stall functioning clutch plates from ZF, coupled to a limited-slip differential. An electromagnetic actuator constructed by XAP manages the R.S. 01's sequential control, activated with paddles on the steering wheel.[9] Electronic management is from a Pectel SQ6M system with traction control, and data acquisition comes from Cosworth's ICD Pro system. The vehicle's top speed is over 186 mph (300 km/h) and produces 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) of downforce at its top speed.[10]

The chassis is a Dallara carbon fiber monocoque with a steel roll cage and crash boxes that conforms to FIA LMP1 regulations from 2014, allowing the car to weigh 1,145 kg (2,524 lb).[11] The car's carbon brake discs, measuring 380 mm (15 in) in diameter and paired with 6-piston calipers, are supplied by PFC (Performance Friction Corporation), with an ABS system from Bosch. The wheels are manufactured by Braid, and the tires, manufactured by Michelin, are constructed specifically for the R.S. 01 (with sizes being 30/68 R18 and 31/71 R18 at the front and rear, respectively). Double wishbone pushrod suspension, with two-way adjustable dampers from Öhlins, is used in both the front and rear.[4]

According to Renault, the R.S. 01's performance places it between a GT3 sports car and a DTM Class One touring car.[12]

GT3 homologation

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Renault entered GT3 racing in 2015 with the R.S.01, and to comply with the category regulations, they detuned the car and added weight. The engine's power was decreased to 500 hp (373 kW; 507 PS), but the torque remained the same. The car got a 125 kg (276 lb) increase in weight from its heavier chassis and new ballast. The original carbon-ceramic brakes were swapped out with steel rotors. The ride height was also raised, and the aerodynamics were reworked.[2][13]

Motorsport history

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Renault Sport Trophy

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Renault Sport R.S. 01 of Equipe Verschuur at Zandvoort in the 2017 GT & Prototype Challenge.

The Renault Sport R.S. 01 was the host car of the Renault Sport Trophy, the company’s one-make series, up until the series was discontinued in 2016 after two seasons due to low interest from teams and viewers alike as well as the high costs of keeping the Trophy series running.[14][15] In the two seasons the R.S. 01 raced in, Andrea Pizzitola and Pieter Schothorst would be the Pro class champions, Dario Capitanio and Fabian Schiller would be the Am class champions, and Oregon Team and Marc VDS Racing Team would be the teams’ champions.

The Trophy-spec R.S. 01 continued competing in other racing series, entering in prototype classes or special classes. In 2017, Equipe Verschuur and AFK Motorsport entered the 2017 GT & Prototype Challenge with R.S. 01s in the LMP3 class, competing against LMP3 prototypes. Equipe Verschuur took the overall win in Race 1 of the Circuit Zandvoort round, but would be forced to retire from the race in Race 2. In 2018, French team DEMJ competed in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya round of the 2018 24H GT Series under the PFV-2 prototype class and went on to take the class victory.[16] In 2023, the R.S.01 would race in the Caribbean Clash of Champions.[17]

Group GT3

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Less than a week after the 2015 Renault Sport Trophy season finale, Renault announced their expansion to Group GT3 sports car racing. The new R.S.01 would feature less power, more weight, and reworked aerodynamics to comply with the regulations.[18][2]

The new GT3 version of the R.S. 01 was granted homologation by the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile through the SRO Motorsports Group and officially debuted at Circuit Paul Ricard in the season finale of the 2015 FFSA GT Championship.[1][18] Boutsen-Ginion Racing and Duqueine Engineering each ran a car in the Open class, though both were forced to retire during the race.[19] Monlau Competición also ran a car in the 2015 Supercar Challenge where it competed in three rounds, scoring a win at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

In 2016, the R.S. 01 GT3 participated in a number of racing series. The car would compete in the 2016 24H Series with Duqueine Engineering and V8 Racing in the A6-Pro class, and Equipe Verschuur and Boutsen-Ginion in the A6-Am class. The car would make its first major GT3 victory in Mugello Circuit, where V8 Racing would take the overall win with their #333 entry driven by Luc Braams, Max Braams, Nicky Pastorelli, and Miguel Ramos. Both Equipe Verschuur and Boutsen-Ginion also finished on the podium on the same race in the Am class in 2nd and 3rd. The car also made its first and only appearance in the International GT Open in 2016 where, with V8 Racing, the car achieved four class victories; once in Spa in the Pro class, and three times in the Am class at Spa and Paul Ricard. The team collected four more podiums in Silverstone Circuit and Red Bull Ring with the R.S. 01.[20][21][22] Monlau Competición also competed in the Supercar Challenge again for 2016, where the team won two out of the four races it participated in on the two Belgian rounds at Spa and Circuit Zolder.

In 2017, the number of teams running the R.S. 01 in the 24H Series dropped from four to one in the 2017 season, where the car would continue racing with Emirati team GP Extreme, entering in both A6-Pro and A6-Am classifications. The team finished fourth in A6-Pro and thirteenth in A6-Am in the season. The V de V Endurance Series also saw a new team enter the GTV1 classification with the R.S. 01 GT3, as series founder Eric van de Vyver joined forces with French team AB Sport Auto to race during the 2017 season. They gained two podiums and three points finishes and finished third in class.[23][24][25][26][27]

GP Extreme would leave the A6-Pro class in the 2018 24H GT Series, making A6-Am the primary classification for the team, and throughout the season, they would finish third in the class with car #27, but car #28 would not be classified, as it retired in the first race. As for the V de V Endurance Series, AB Sport Auto would participate in 2018 without van de Vyver. The team competed only once, racing in the Barcelona-Catalunya round and taking the victory.[16]

The R.S. 01 would continue to make one-off appearances in the next few seasons with Equipe Verschuur in the 24H Series. In 2019, the R.S. 01 would race in Barcelona-Catalunya, but the car retired after 88 laps. In 2020, it would compete in Monza Circuit and Hockenheimring, where the car would take pole position in the GT class in both events but would later retire in those events. In 2021, Equipe Verschuur achieved pole position in Mugello but would again retire from the race.

24 Hours of Nürburgring

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In the 2017 and 2018 editions of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, German team mcchip-dkr.com entered the endurance event under the SP-X class with a Renault Sport R.S. 01.[28] The team failed to finish on their first attempt but would manage to score a 2nd place finish in their class and 23rd overall the following year.[29]

Year Team Drivers Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2017   GTronix 360° Team mcchip-dkr   Dieter Schmidtmann
  Heiko Hammel
  Dominik Schwager 		SP-X 88 Ret Ret
2018   GTronix 360° Team mcchip-dkr   Dieter Schmidtmann
  Heiko Hammel
  Kuno Wittmer 		SP-X 127 23rd 2nd

R.S. 01 Interceptor

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In early 2016, Renault created a police interceptor concept version of the R.S. 01 with a full police livery, neon green stripes, and police strobe lights.[30] In the same month, Renault released a video with the police R.S. 01 in action with WRC racing veteran Jean Ragnotti behind the wheel, chasing a speeding motorcycle along a highway before arresting the rider.[31]

In video games

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The Renault Sport R.S. 01 is featured in a selection of video games, mobile and console. The car appears in Asphalt 8: Airborne,[32] Asphalt 9: Legends,[33] Real Racing 3,[34] Need for Speed: No Limits,[35] Assoluto Racing[es],[36] Nitro Nation,[37] Top Drives,[38] Project CARS,[39] Project CARS 2,[40][41] Project Cars 3,[42] The Crew 2,[43] Gran Turismo Sport[44][45] and Gran Turismo 7.[46]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Renaultsport RS 01 is too fast for GT3". Autoblog. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  2. ^ a b c Brad Anderson. "RenaultSport R.S. 01 Receives GT3 Homologation". GTspirit. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  3. ^ "REVEALED: meet race car Renault Sport R.S. 01, unveiled at the Moscow International Automobile Salon". group.renault.com. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  4. ^ a b c "Renault R.S. 01 - Car Body Design". www.carbodydesign.com. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  5. ^ "Renault Sport R.S. 01: A Racing Car Of Spectacular Design Built For Performance". RenaultSport.com. Archived from the original on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  6. ^ "Renault Sport hires Hülkenberg for F1 team while ending awesome R.S. 01 one-make series". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  7. ^ "Gibson Technology Develop Engines for New Renault Sport RS01 Sportscar". Gibson Tech. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  8. ^ Duff, Mike (2014-09-18). "The Renault R.S. 01 Is a Damn Stylish, $400K Race Car—with a GT-R Motor". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  9. ^ "R.S. 01 Renault : XAP actuator". XAP Technology. 2019-09-03. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  10. ^ "Renaultsport RS.01 review". Auto Express. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  11. ^ Neo, Alden (2020-12-17). "Cars that you might have forgotten about: Renault RS 01". DriveTribe. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  12. ^ "Renaultsport RS 01 hits the track with GT-R power". Autoblog. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  13. ^ "Renault RS 01 GT3 - the only French car in the international GT competitions". SnapLap.com. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  14. ^ Orlove, Raphael. "Renault Cancels Spec Series With Incredible Car That Really Should Be Road Legal". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  15. ^ "Renault Sport On The Future Of The RS.01 & Why It Isn't Coming To LMP1 | dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  16. ^ a b "V de V - Catalunya 2018" (PDF). vdev.fr. 2018. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  17. ^ "Guyana, Trinidad top qualifying for Unlimited/Group 4 at ENet Caribbean Clash of Champions". News Room Guyana. 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  18. ^ a b "Renault Sport R.S. 01 Gets GT3 Homologation [34 New Photos]". Carscoops. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  19. ^ "FFSA GT Championship Paul Ricard". Racing Sports Cars.
  20. ^ "Hankook 12H ITALY-MUGELLO 2016" (PDF). 24hseries.com. 2016. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  21. ^ "Hankook 24H DUBAI 2016" (PDF). 24hseries.com. 2016. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  22. ^ "24H de Barcelona - Trofeu Fermí Vélez" (PDF). 24hseries.com. 2016. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  23. ^ "V de V - Catalunya 2017" (PDF). vdev.fr. 2017. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  24. ^ "V de V - Portimao 2017" (PDF). vdev.fr. 2017. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  25. ^ "V de V - Paul Ricard 2017" (PDF). vdev.fr. 2017. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  26. ^ "V de V - Jarama 2017" (PDF). vdev.fr. 2017. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  27. ^ "V de V - Magny-Cours 2017" (PDF). vdev.fr. 2017. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  28. ^ "Renault R.S.01 To Compete In Nürburgring 24 Hours | dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  29. ^ "24h-race 2018: GTronix 360° Team mcchip-dkr defeats the Green Hell". mcchip-dkr.com. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  30. ^ "Renault's Sport RS 01 Interceptor uses Nissan GT-R power to hunt for baddies". DigitalTrends.com. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  31. ^ "Renault Sport R.S. 01 INTERCEPTOR: a new rapid intervention force". YouTube.com (Renault Sport). Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  32. ^ Asphalt 8, Renault Sport R.S. 01 MAX PRO, Multiplayer, Part. I, retrieved 2021-10-28
  33. ^ Desmond. "Renault R.S. 01". Asphalt 9 Legends Database. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  34. ^ Renault Sport R.S. 01: thrilling experiences in Real Racing 3, retrieved 2021-10-28
  35. ^ "eSports - News - Renault Sport R.S. 01 takes to the (virtual) streets in Need For Speed: No Limits - renaultsport.com". Renault Sport. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  36. ^ 【AssolutoRacing】ニュルブルクリンクを本気で走ってみた。, retrieved 2021-10-27
  37. ^ "The #Renault Sport R.S. 01 is surely a hard beast to tame! Check this spectacular racecar at the Car Dealer, take it on the track and burn those tires!". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  38. ^ "Topdrives.club - TopDrives Community Knowlenge Base". Topdrives.club. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  39. ^ Project Cars Renault Sport R.S 01 Silverstone GP setup (Pad), retrieved 2021-10-28
  40. ^ Project Cars 2: [Career] Renault Sport RS01 Trophy, retrieved 2022-03-22
  41. ^ Project Cars 2 Setup Renault RS01 GT3 Endurance Race Setup Tune Hotlap @ Nurburgring GP Circuit, retrieved 2022-03-22
  42. ^ Project CARS 3 - Renault Sport R.S. 01 2015 - Gameplay (PS4 HD) [1080p60FPS], retrieved 2021-10-28
  43. ^ Josh ‘PurplePetrol13’ (2021-04-17). "NEW Renault R.S.0.1 First Drive and Customisation | The Crew 2". DriveTribe. Retrieved 2021-10-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ Gran Turismo Sport - Renault RS01 2016 - Test Drive Gameplay (PS4 HD) [1080p60FPS], retrieved 2021-10-28
  45. ^ Gran Turismo Sport - Renault RS01 GT3 2016 - Test Drive Gameplay (PS4 HD) [1080p60FPS], retrieved 2021-10-28
  46. ^ Gran Turismo 7 Renault RS01 Alsace, retrieved 2022-03-22
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