Renault RS 01 revealed in full

RENAULT has released full images of its hyper-performance RS 01 racecar, ending speculation that teaser images released earlier this month were of a forthcoming supercar for the road.

A hazy video released last month only gave a taste of the profile and rear, but the new images finally reveal what the exotic racer will look like including full-frontal and birdseye views.

Its unique aesthetics were penned by Renault's chief designer Laurens van den Acker and the design was created specifically for the circuit with no road version in the pipeline.

Measuring an imposing 2000mm wide and low 1116mm height, the hyper-Renault has similarities to the DeZir concept which debuted at he Paris motor show in 2010.

The striking car was created from a completely blank sheet and no technology or styling has been borrowed from existing Renault road or competition machinery.

Mechanical design was handled by the French car-maker's Renault Sport team and the car has been created specifically to compete in the Renault Sport Trophy single-make series, alongside three other races in the Renault organised World Series.

A Nismo-tuned 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 similar to the Nissan GTR engine will power the car with more than 373kW and 600Nm of torque, pushing the sub-1100kg car beyond 300km/h.

Its semi-stressed mid-mounted engine is bolted to a Sadev seven-speed sequential gearbox with paddle-shifters and its final-drive is a preload-adjustable locking differential.

Renault says that despite its performance, the RS 01 will be one of the world's most efficient GT racers with advanced lightweight carbon-fibre construction and a formula one style drag-reduction system aiding fuel efficiency.

Its heavily styled body is not just for show with advanced aerodynamics adding 1700kg of downforce at 300km/h, while small fins on the front arches limit turbulence around the wheels.

The car sits on double-wishbone suspension at all corners and 380mm carbon discs with six-piston calipers deal with deceleration.

French tyre-maker Michelin developed the RS 01's boots, which wrap around 18-inch centre-lock wheels.

Renault's ambassador for motorsport Alain Prost's name appears on the rear quarter of the car, and the four time formula one champion said that the car demonstrates the company's experience developing competition vehicles and their drivers.

“Renault Sport R.S. 01 is a spectacular racing car, in the purest tradition of GT. With its high-level sporting capacities, Renault Sport R.S. 01 illustrates the rich expertise of Renault Sport, and its ability to develop the racing cars that will reveal future GT or Endurance champions,” he said.

The new machines will roll-out next year for the start of the 2015 World Series.