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Both Beauty & Beast
Renault R.S. 01

After developing the benchmark for one-make open-wheel racing with the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 series, Renault Sport Technologies is rolling out a new gateway series for closed cockpit race cars, the R.S. 01, as part of the World Series by Renault from 2015. Completed in just five months, the R.S.01 is both a beauty and a beast and set to become an iconic brand champion; a radical expression of the brand’s sporting DNA as a racecar that produces speed utilizing prodigious body-generated aerodynamic downforce and superb power-to-weight efficiency.

Using a 500 hp, 3.8 litre V6 twin-turbo engine derived from the Nissan GT-R, Pectel electronic traction control, seven-speed gearbox and a LMP1-standard carbon monocoque for a weight of less than 1,100 kg, the Renaultsport R.S. 01 can reach a top speed of over 300 kph, placing it between GT3 and DTM in terms of performance.

The Renaultsport R.S. 01 will make its debut in the new Renault Sport Trophy, a tantalising series for “Pro-Am” teams as well as a new talent-spotting opportunity for GT, DTM, ELMS and WEC championship teams. The 2015 season will be open to 20 “Pro-Am” teams, classified according to the rules of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The one-design series will enter the World Series by Renault as part of the three-day event. All teams will be competing on the same level of technical fairness, sporting ethics and cost control.