Renaultsport R.S. 01 race car

Renault have just published the first images of their future race car, which is set to compete in the World Series by Renault championship by 2015.

The Renaultsport R.S. 01 will be used in a single-model championship, and is designed solely with competition in mind.  Interestingly it looks suspiciously like the Renault Alpine / Caterham joint-venture car – a project which was recently abandoned by Caterham. It also has a strong familiarity with the stunningRenault Alpine A 110-50 concept from 2012.

The name R.S. 01 isn’t new to Renault either. It was the same name – albeit minus the full stops – given to the 1977 Renault RS01 Formula 1 race car, which was the first F1 car to feature a turbocharged engine.

Powering the Renaultsport R.S. 01 is a Nismo-developed engine which produces over 500 horsepower. The transmission is a seven-speed sequential unit developed by Sadev. Racing specialists Dallara have been drafted in to construct the car’s carbon fiber monocoque chassis, while Michelin have been put to work creating a specific tire package for the car.

The Renaultsport R.S. 01 will make its international debut on August 27th at the Soviet Moscow Motor Show.