For 2015, French automaker Renault->ke72 expanded its racing program by creating yet another racing division with its own, exclusive race car.->ke148 Developed separately from the already familiar, track-prepped Clio->ke1021 and Megane->ke1227 models, the 2015 Renaultsport R.S. 01 is Renault's first racing supercar->ke177 in a very long time. Designed on a clean sheet of paper, the R.S. 01 is both stunning to look at and incredibly fast. It features styling cues never-before-seen on a Renault and although it is unlikely it will inspire a road-legal sports car,->ke506 the R.S. 01 does provide a preview of the company's future design language.
The racer is equally spectacular underneath, carrying a Nismo-built, 3.8-liter, V-6 engine -- yes, it's the same twin-turbo power plant found in the Nissan GT-R->ke1592 -- behind the seats and a Sadev, seven-speed sequential gearbox linked to the rear wheels. The R.S. 01 will make its official debut in 2015, but while we're still waiting for the new series to get the green flag, Renault has released a nine-minute video->ke278 that provides insight on the race car's development, as well as footage from its numerous testing sessions in Spain.
Click the play button above to watch various members of the Renaultsport team talk about the new R.S. 01 before several drivers, including Alain Prost, climb inside to hoon it around the twisty Jerez race track.