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concepts that were showed to us by the

Renault Styling Center. The side is definitely

one of the most characteristic angles of the

car. The entire fluid dynamics were designed

to optimize the air flow under the car's floor.

And a part of this flow fosters the two

intercooler that are located at the sides.

In order to make this delicate balance work,

we had to smoothen and optimize every

single millimeter of the first CAS (Computer

Aided Style, that's how the stylists call their

3D models). The final result has been

extraordinary both in terms of performance

and style (but that's only an opinion). I'd

say that one of our best abilities was to take

advantage of the styling cues and give them

the right value to reach the maximum

amount of performance».

The name, which recalls the first

Renault F.1 car born in 1977,

the first turbo one, is due to fate or

refers to a legacy?

«It isn't entirely due to fate, Renault

strongly wants to highlight how important

the new RS01 is, the first Renault-built

sports car not coming from a road model.

So they wanted to recall an equally-

revolutionary vehicle like the F1 RS01».

The RS01 is bound to race alongside the

World Series Renault 3.5 schedule. The

two projects shared technologies,

materials or solutions?

«As in any other project by Dallara, the level

of sharing between the products is pretty

relevant. Despite the fact that this is a sport

car, more similar to a GT, there is a strong

relationship with the formula car».

What are the strongest points of the RS01

from the safety standpoint?

«The requirements made by Renault

in terms of safety were really clear,

exactly like for the performance.

The car has a safety cell (monococque plus

steel safety cage), a front nose and a rear

crash box with the same specifications of a Le

Mans Prototype. In addition to that, it has

side anti-intrusion panels which were

mandated only recently in LMP1. The safety is

one of the key requirements for Renault, and

their cars must guarantee the highest

standards available.

The fast and lucky drivers that will

be driving them will have the

chance to follow a training program

for the Japanese GT or even for the

24 Hours of Le Mans. What are

the most useful elements of the RS01

in terms of training pro and

gentleman drivers?

«The car has a level of downforce and grip in

general that enables it to reach lateral

accelerations superior to the ones of a GT3

car. This allows the driver of an RS01 to

prepare well for the Le Mans, DTM and Super

GT cars. It was also a great surprise (the car

is currently being developed on-track) to see

the gentleman drivers that had the chance to

drive the RS01 show a good driving ability

and an optimal physical strength. I would say

that the RS01 is a great car to aim at Le

Mans, DTM and Super GT for both pro racers

and gentlemen».

«Renault Sport RS01 is a spectacular

race car, with the real GT spirit.

It promises a great feeling for the

driver. For its high-level

characteristics, the Renault RS01

showcases the great qualities of

Renault Sport, and the ability to

develop racing cars able to highlight

the future stars of GT or Endurance».

Alain Prost

Chassis: Dallara

carbon fibre monocoque

Engine: Nismo V6, 3799 cm3, 24 valves

Power: 500 bhp

Torque: 600 Nm

Gearbox: Sadev 7-speed sequential

Tires: Michelin 30/68 R18 (AV),

31/71 R18 (AR)

Length: 4710 mm

Width: 2000 mm

Height: 1116 mm

Weight: 1100 Kg

Top speed: 300 Km/h

Renault RS01