2011 Renault Mégane Trophy will make its competition debut on May 1st at the inaugural meeting of the new World Series by Renault. Designed around a specific tubular chassis, the new car is powered by a 3.5-litre 24-valve V6 engine derived from the power plant already seen on Vel Satis and Espace. The car's power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kg/hp and ground effect aerodynamics bring it in line in performance terms with 'N GT' category machines. The Renault Mégane Trophy will be one of the stars of the World Series by Renault along with the new Formula Renault 3.5 single-seater which succeeds from the Formula Renault V6 and the Dallara-Nissans which featured in the former World Series by Nissan.
The 2011 Renault Mégane Trophy takes its inspiration from the FIA prototype regulations to combine high performance with limited development and competing costs. Designed by Renault's Design Department, it takes its styling cue from Mégane Renault Sport. Built around a tubular chassis developed in association with ORECA, Renault Mégane Trophy is driven by a 3.5-litre 24-valve V6 engine derived from the unit which powers the production Vel Satis and Espace. Prepared by engineers from Nismo (Nissan's competition department) and Solution F, it puts out 330 bhp at 6,500 rpm with maximum torque of 384 Nm at 4,500 rpm. Its central-rear position ensures excellent weight distribution (52% rear, 47% front), while the six-speed semi-sequential gearbox with F1-style steering wheel-mounted controls was developed by SADEV.
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| 2011 Renault Mégane Trophy |
The Magneti Marelli-developed electronic management system controls the engine, gearbox, automatic clutch and data logging management functions. Mégane Trophy's aerodynamics are the fruit of advanced development aimed at optimising ground effect and the car features an excellent aerodynamic balance with 43% of downforce acting on the front end and 57% on the rear. Braking is via vented steel discs (diameter: 356 mm front, 330 mm rear) and 6 (front) and 4 (rear) pot callipers. The car comes with new, specially developed 18" (interior diameter) Michelin tyres. The
2011 Renault Mégane Trophy car on-track development, which began in October 2004, has confirmed its performance potential with cornering speeds close to those of a prototype and lap times comparable with those of N GT category cars for a significantly lower initial outlay and running costs.
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| 2011 Renault Mégane Trophy |
The 2011 Renault Mégane Trophy Designed on the base of the Dallara chassis used in the former World Series by Nissan, the Formula Renault 3.5 features a new 6-cylinder Nissan Nismo engine developed by Solution F to deliver 425 bhp. The engine is coupled to a Ricardo gearbox. The new
Renault Mégane Trophy car features a longer wheelbase dimension as well as an aerodynamic package similar to that of a Formula 1 car with a new flat bottom, new front crash box, new nosecone, revised front and rear wings plus redesigned sidepods and engine cover. Close collaboration between Renault's designers and engineers from Dallara has led to an increase in the car's aerodynamic efficiency of 10%. Mechanically, the Formula Renault 3.5 comes with all the key features of the Formula Renault V6, including carbon brakes, semi-sequential gearbox with steering-wheel mounted controls, data logging system and left foot braking, while Michelin has developed new tyres for the car.
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| 2011-2012 Renault Mégane Trophy |
On the safety front, in addition to a carbon tub that complies with FIA regulations, the HANS system already seen in 2004 (?) will be used by all competitors in the 2005 championship. The Formula Renault 3.5 also complies with the latest F1 regulation concerning the necessity to be able to extract drivers from their cockpit complete with seat if necessary after an accident. The Formula Renault 3.5's technical characteristics and the format and regulations of the 2005 championship will keep the costs of a season's racing within a target budget of approximately €550,000 per car, inclusive of structural costs. Prizes are in keeping with the championship's status, including an F1 test drive with Renault F1 Team for the ultimate winner plus more than 2€700,000 in prize-money in the course of the season. The current
Formula Renault V6 will continue to be developed by Renault Sport Technologies but its use will be restricted to national competitions and inter-continental championships outside of Europe such as the new pan-American series that begins this season.
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| 2011-2012 Renault Mégane Trophy |
The
2011 Renault Mégane Trophy Eurocup and the FR 3.5 World Series will be two major draws of the World Series by Renault, a new motor sport concept totally unprecedented in Europe. The ambition of the series is two-fold: to create a quality race championship and to attract a broader public rather than simply competition fans. In addition to the FR 3.5 World Series, the Renault Mégane Trophy Eurocup and the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup, Renault has also added a festive, family flavour with a programme of concerts, parades, contests, exhibitions and attractions including demonstration runs by Renault F1 Team. It will be a non-stop show aimed at enabling the public to experience motor sport from behind the scenes. Entry will be free of charge on an invitation basis through Renault's network and those of its partners. The objective is to simplify paddock access with a view to facilitating contact between the public, the teams and their drivers.
