Renault Sport R.S. 01

A car to thrill at first glance, Renault Sport R.S. 01 sets out to be one of the world’s most efficient GT racers. With every stroke of the design pen, in the body lines and in the detail, the aim was twofold: to make Renault Sport R.S. 01 an iconic Renault vehicle, and to contribute to track performance through a constant quest for aerodynamic efficiency.

 Like all the Renault vehicles designed under the management of Laurens van den Acker, Renault Sport R.S. 01 displays a prominent logo, the key feature on the front end. The vehicle’s impressive width of 2,000 mm – for a height of 1,116 mm – is reinforced by the signature of the LED daytime-running lights positioned along the brake cooling scoops. At the centre of the grille, the air is “sucked in” and channeled by the stem of the chassis towards the two water coolers. It is then expelled through the extractors positioned on the hood. The negative pressure thereby created increases downforce at the front of the car. The large blade of the lower splitter and the stepped flat bottom also contribute to aerodynamics at the front. The two fins on the side of the bumper generate vortices that limit the turbulence of the rotating wheels.

Underlined by the graphic pattern running from the headlights to the side air intakes, the low-slung profile is characteristic of a GT with a central rear engine. The imbalance in the overhangs is dictated by vehicle architecture and also by efforts to optimize weight distribution. The windows extending back to the airfoil and the curved shape of the rear bonnet further underline the choices made in design. The sculpted lines of Renault Sport R.S. 01 bring to mind the concept car DeZir, presented in 2010. In his preliminary study, designer Akio Shimizu was also inspired by Renault Étoile Filante (shooting star), the record-breaking vehicle that topped 300kph at Bonneville Salt Flats in 1956! The air flow is channeled by the lower splitter into extractors positioned behind the front wheels. Running along the doors, these extractors change shape to become intercooler scoops. This provides effective cooling for the turbochargers.

As a result of the considerable efforts devoted to aerodynamics, Renault Sport R.S. 01 is able to achieve an exceptional level of performance beyond that of a GT3 and closer to that of a DTM. CI (lift coefficient) and CdA (drag coefficient) are similar to those of a Formula Renault 3.5. At the top speed of 300 kph, the downforce of 1.7 metric tons is equivalent to that of a Formula Renault 3.5, the benchmark single-seater in the World Series by Renault.

The technical characteristics of Renault Sport R.S. 01 are on a par with its spectacular design. Providing effective protection for the driver, the carbon monocoque chassis enables a vehicle weight of just 1,100 kg. Installed in a central rear position, the Nismo V6 3.8L twin-turbo engine developing more than 500 hp is mated to a Sadev seven-speed sequential gearbox. With carbon brakes and special Michelin tires, Renault Sport R.S. 01 embodies the full technical expertise of Renault Sport Technologies.

Supervised by Motorsport technical manager for Renault Sport Technologies Christophe Chapelain, Renault Sport R.S. 01 was designed in cooperation with benchmark technical partners.The carbon fiber monocoque chassis was a natural choice in order to meet objectives in terms of weight and safety. taly’s Dallara was responsible for designing and building the chassis, in the same way as for Formula Renault 3.5. The tub, which includes the 150 liter fuel tank, features a steel roll cage at the top. At the front, a crash box absorbs energy in the event of frontal impact. Shaped like a boat’s stem, the design contributes to aerodynamic efficiency. Another crash box attached to the gearbox, plays the same role at the rear of the car. The entire assembly respects FIA LMP1 2014 standards to ensure safety. Completing the list of safety features are a collapsible steering column, and a Sabelt bucket seat with a six-point harness, compatible with the HANS® system.

The semi-stressed engine is bolted to the carbon monocoque chassis on the distribution side, and to the roll cage at the top. Prepared by Nismo, the 3.8L V6 twin-turbo engine is derived from the Nissan GT-R. The main change in relation to the production model is the dry sump system intended to prevent oil surges during long corners. The Pectel electronic unit features a traction control function. Turbo pressure is set to deliver over 500 hp with maximum torque of more than 600 N.m. This positions Renault Sport R.S. 01 between a GT3 and a DTM in terms of performance.

The engine is mated to a longitudinal seven-speed gearbox supplied by Sadev. With an eye to budget management, the same gear ratio sets will be used for all tracks. However, it will be possible to adjust the preload setting of the self-locking differential. Activated by steering-wheel paddles, the sequential control system is managed by an XAP electromagnetic actuator. Developed specially by ZF Race Engineering, the clutch features an anti-stall function and is designed for an extended service life.

Grip is provided primarily by aerodynamic downforce and this is reflected in suspension design. In the same way as on sports prototypes, a conventional double wishbone layout has been adopted with pushrods and Öhlins dampers. Adjustable for compression and rebound, the systems are positioned on either side of the body at the front, and longitudinally above the gearbox at the rear. The braking system combines 380 mm carbon discs from PFC Brakes with six-piston calipers. This choice is an excellent compromise between efficiency and endurance. Renault Sport R.S. 01 is also fitted with Bosch Motorsport ABS. The partner of Renault Sport Technologies for all its motorsport products, Michelin has developed special 18-inch tires, mounted on wheels of original design with a central nut.

An organizer of motorsports events for 40 years, Renault Sport is entering a new phase with Renault Sport R.S. 01. The new car will add a fresh dimension to customer sport and to talent-spotting among pilots and amateur drivers. Renault Sport R.S. 01 will compete in the Renault Sport Trophy championship, an event built to measure. This one-design series, which will be part of the World Series by Renault from 2015, will be a new opportunity for “Pro-Am” teams*, and a gateway to the GT, DTM, ELMS and WEC championships.

 “Renault Sport R.S. 01 marks the start of a new line. For this reason, it was named in tribute to Renault’s very first Formula 1 vehicle. We wanted to design the best racing car in order to bring to light the best talent and prepare the next generation of drivers. Renault Sport R.S. 01 is a vehicle of exceptional performance and the World Series by Renault will be its showcase. We started from scratch in developing Renault Sport Trophy. It is an attractive event that stands out among existing motorsport events. With “Pro-Am” teams and a sports program combining sprinting and endurance, we will create a gateway to the higher series.

After developing the most efficient programs for single-seaters, Renault Sport Technologies aims to roll out a new offering for hatches. Positioned between the Clio Cup events and professional championships, such as the WEC, DTM and Japanese Super GT, the Renault Sport Trophy is a gateway for the best pilots and for gentleman drivers. The 2015 season will be open to twenty “Pro-Am” teams, classified according to the rules of the F A World Endurance Championship (WEC). At World Series by Renault meetings, competitors will be able to maximize their time on the track by taking part in a real monotype championship called Renault Sport Trophy. Track time is currently estimated at more than four hours per car and per driver, over a three-day weekend. The Renault Sport Trophy championship will reap the benefits of brand expertise in organizing motorsports events. Priority will be given to technical fairness, sporting ethics and cost control. The technical definition of Renault Sport R.S. 01 aims for servicing every other season, thus helping to keep running costs down.

Renault

Alfa Romeo at the “Winter Marathon 2015”

The 27th edition of the “Winter Marathon” will be held from 22nd to 25th January in Madonna di Campiglio. This gripping regularity event for classic cars is one of the major events in Italy due to the number of competitors and the quality of the vehicles taking part.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the mountains of the Trentino Alto Adige region, the challenge will be between 120 cars built before 1968, plus a few additional models produced up until 1976, which made history in the rallies of the seventies. Among the stars of the event will be the 1963 Giulia TI Super from the collection in the Alfa Romeo Historic Museum, specially prepared to tackle this rally, which is as fascinating as it is demanding due to the weather conditions.  

The rally course winds for approximately 420 kilometres, climbing 11 Dolomite passes, four of them over 2,000 metres (Pordoi, Falzarego, Valparola and Gardena), and with no less than 45 precision time trials. In addition, the frozen lake of Madonna di Campiglio will be the scene for the two side events at the “Winter Marathon 2015”: the “APT Trophy”, a challenge where the first 32 teams enrolled will face direct elimination, and the “TAG Heuer Barozzi Trophy”.  

The 1963 Giulia TI Super is the rarest, most prestigious of the “Giulia” models. This “ready-to-race” version was produced in only 501 examples, almost all in Hawthorn white with a Quadrifoglio, the four-leaf clover logo, on the side panels and boot. With its “slimmed down” body to enhance its already excellent performance still further, the “TI Super” was one of the race cars which nurtured an entire generation of drivers, who then moved up to higher formulas, allowing them to draw attention to themselves thanks to their victories and rankings behind the wheel of the Alfa Romeo saloon. Not by chance, the Giulia TI Super is particularly suited to road races, as it proved when it achieved its highest acclaim as first of its class in the 1963 “Tour de France Auto” with drivers Masoero and Maurin.

Technically speaking, the Giulia represented a benchmark in its class and raised the standards: the twin-cam, four cylinders and excellent dynamics of Alfa Romeo cars were matched by their bodywork which, according to advertisements of the time, “was designed by the wind”.

To highlight the thread between the cars of the past and those currently in production, the precious historic example will be accompanied by the New Giulietta Sprint, the version which pays homage to the forerunner of an entire class of automobiles, the modern Gran Tourism, and one of the most emblematic products of Made in Italy: the iconic Giulietta Sprint of 1954.

In the fifties, it was actually the Giulietta which made the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo possible for the first time. Today, it’s the turn of the new Giulietta Sprint to take over the baton, offering more dramatic aesthetic qualities, exhilarating performance and superior technological features.

The example taking part in the “Winter Marathon 2015” will be using the powerful 175 hp 2.0 JTDM2 engine combined with the innovative “Alfa TCT” automatic gearbox with twin clutch.

Alfa Romeo

The new Seat Leon ST Cupra (preview)

SEAT presents the perfect car for enjoying both life and performance: The new Leon ST

CUPRA combines top performance in a unique way with style and utility. A maximum load space of 1,470 litres can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in the Leon ST CUPRA 280 in just 6.0 seconds – that’s how fast versatility can be. The stunning design, individual equipment options and excellent quality are further points that make the Leon ST CUPRA a very special proposition indeed.

In true SEAT fashion, exceptional value-for-money is, of course, a given.Among journalists and customers alike, the SEAT Leon CUPRA is much admired as a Sport Coupé and as a five-door. In the trade media cross Europe, the CUPRA immediately became a consistent winner in comparison tests; its owners love its design and road manners. The new Leon ST CUPRA adds another dimension – the space of an estate. For work and family, for sports and hobbies – thanks to its versatility, the Leon ST CUPRA is the perfect sports car for all aspects of life.

A concentrated package of hi-tech guarantees the enormous performance of the new Leon ST CUPRA. At the top is the 2.0 TSI engine with dual injection and variable camshaft timing. Depending on the version, it delivers an output of 195 kW / 265 PS or 206 kW / 280 PS. The DCC dynamic chassis control, the front differential lock, the progressive steering, the CUPRA Drive Profile and the standard-fit full-LED headlamps are further examples of its state-of-the-art technologies.

With the new Leon ST CUPRA, a success story is moving into the next level. The first generation was launched in 1996 with the Ibiza, since when the dynamic CUPRA models have developed to become the icons of the SEAT brand. In the new generation, the Leon three-door is being offered for the first time as a CUPRA - and now the Leon ST, too.

CUPRA stands for power, performance, dynamics – and the new Leon ST CUPRA fulfils all these promises perfectly. The CUPRA 280 with optional DSG transmission, the brand’s top model, catapults from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.0 seconds, and in 6.1 seconds with the manual gearbox. The regulated top speed of 250 km/h is a matter of course. The maximum torque of 350 Newton metres across the wide range of 1,700 to 5,600 rpm guarantees impressive pulling power in every situation. And the CUPRA with 195 kW / 265 PS and a maximum torque of 350 Newton metres is no more than a fraction slower. Its acceleration time stands at 6.2 seconds with manual transmission and 6.1 seconds with DSG.

Against this, the new Leon ST CUPRA is astonishingly efficient. The average fuel consumption for both power variants is just 6.6 litres with DSG and 6.7 litres with the manual gearbox. This equates to CO2 figures of just 154 and 157 grams.

The great Leon ST Cupra performance can go even further with the Performance Pack that comprises larger Brembo brake callipers, specific wheels and special tyres.

As a true sports engine, the 2.0 TSI reacts spontaneously to every movement of the gas pedal and is deliciously high revving – paired with a rich and refined sound that is aided and modulated by a sound actuator. The all-new power unit with its exceptionally responsive turbocharger is packed full with hi-tech and groundbreaking features – in the dual-injection system, the gasoline direct injection is complemented under partial load by manifold injection. Its optimum set-up reduces fuel consumption and particulate emissions. Cylinder fill is always in the optimum range – the camshafts are adjustable, with the valve lift system regulating opening on the exhaust side. The exhaust manifold is integrated into the cylinder head and is part of the innovative thermo management system. An improved coating and alloy for the aluminium pistons and the bearings keeps friction to a minimum. The CUPRA efficiency package also includes the start/stop system and brake energy regeneration.

CUPRA has always been synonymous with outstanding dynamics, precise agility and amazing sporting character. The new Leon ST CUPRA, however, manages to set the bar a good deal higher – in every dimension. With the DCC dynamic chassis control, front-axle differential lock and progressive steering all fitted as standard, the new Leon CUPRA achieves considerably faster laps on the track than its already impressive predecessor. At the same time, it is significantly more relaxed to drive, with a surprisingly refined level of comfort even on long motorway journeys. Safe and reliable deceleration comes courtesy of the CUPRA-specific, high-performance brake system, recognisable by its red callipers.

The key fundamentals of the dynamics are low weight and a stiff structure. The systematic lightweight design of the new Leon family is also evident on the ST CUPRA. The new generation of the DCC dynamic chassis control developed specifically for the CUPRA is even more sensitive and responsive, adapting the chassis characteristics to the prevailing conditions in a matter of milliseconds. The same applies to the driver’s preferences - the CUPRA Drive Profile permits extensive individualisation of the ride.

The new front-axle differential lock significantly improves the traction and handling of this front-wheel drive car. The system uses a multi-plate package that is hydraulically actuated and electronically controlled. The maximum locking force is 1,600 Newton metres and, in extreme cases, 100 percent of the drive can be sent to one wheel. The differential lock is integrated into all the handling systems like ESP and EDS. It improves not only the traction, but also eliminates torque steer. Furthermore, its sensitive control has no negative impact on steering feel.

Also included as standard equipment, the progressive steering improves the agile handling of the new Leon ST CUPRA. The driver experiences a precise and relaxed steering feel, less steering movement is required, reducing the number of grip changes, especially in cornering or parking manoeuvres. The steering in the new Leon CUPRA works with a progressive ratio through variable toothing on the rack.

The ESP handling system has been further developed specifically for the new Leon ST CUPRA and enables a very sporty driving style with full retention of safety functionality. For extremely dynamic use, such as on a race track, it can also be deactivated in two stages – the first stage deactivates the traction control and puts the ESP into sport mode, permitting greater yaw angles. The second stage deactivates the ESP completely.

The CUPRA Drive Profile enables the characteristics of the new Leon ST CUPRA to be adapted across a very wide range to meet the individual preferences of the driver. Alongside the Comfort and Sport modes, the CUPRA mode was, of course, a focal point for the engineers in Martorell. Throttle response is particularly sensitive in this setting, while the DSG operates in its sportiest shifting mode and the sound actuator supports the full tone of the turbocharged engine. DCC dynamic chassis control, progressive steering and the front-axle differential lock also operate at their sportiest settings.

Emotional design is a great strength of the Leon family. For the new CUPRA, this has been developed one step further. The stretched silhouette of the ST estate version fits perfectly to the big, distinctive wheels. The new front end with its large air intakes and full-LED headlamps ensures a powerful look, as do the rear skirt with its diffuser effect and the two oval end pipes. The alloy wheels are exclusive to the CUPRA, while the red brake callipers and tinted side and rear windshields underscore its individuality.

The focus of the interior is on the CUPRA sports steering wheel in its own unique design complete with shifting paddles for the optional DSG transmission, as well as the top sports seats in black Alcantara finished with white stitching. Black full-leather upholstery, likewise with white stitching, is also available. For extreme lateral grip, there are optional bucket seats. The pedals and entry sills are made from aluminium.

The ST CUPRA 280 is visually differentiated by its unique 19-inch wheels with a titanium paint finish, the Aerodynamic Pack with the spoiler on the rear roof edge, CUPRA lettering on the brake callipers and black exterior mirror housings. The trim elements in the cockpit of this top sporty variant are a deep glossy black or, alternatively, classic chrome.

The Leon ST CUPRA also states its position as the top model in the SEAT range through the progressive steering, dynamic chassis control, front-axle differential lock, CUPRA Drive Profile and high-performance brake system with 18-inch wheels (CUPRA 280: 19-inch).

Also standard equipment, are the full-LED headlamps and the LED rear lights. Alongside their distinctive design, LED headlamps have many further benefits – they illuminate the road ahead at a colour temperature of 5,300 Kelvin. Because this is very similar to daylight, it places very little strain on the eyes. When it comes to efficiency, the LEDs consume minimal energy – dipped beam, for instance, draws just 20 watts per unit.

The top sports seats in Alcantara, the CUPRA steering wheel and the Media System Plus with a 6,5 -inch colour touchscreen are all among the standard interior features in addition to the extensive base equipment of the Leon FR. One particular feature in the CUPRA interior is the ambient lighting. LEDs in the door panels emphasize the contours of the interior design and add to the premium feel of the passenger compartment. At the same time, the ambient lighting offers occupants improved orientation and an even greater sense of spaciousness. The colour of the LEDs can be adapted via the CUPRA Drive Profile – they glow red in CUPRA mode, with the standard setting being white.

The look of the Leon ST CUPRA can be further individualised with the options White Line, Black Line and Orange Line. The surrounds of the radiator grille and wing mirrors and parts of the two-tone aluminium wheels are painted in the respective colour – with the Orange Line standing for Cup Racer orange.

Seat