Renault continues to give the crowds something to ogle at Goodwood again this year.

RENAULT – MOTORSPORT FEEDS THE BREED: OVER 115 YEARS OF INNOVATION AND SUCCESS IN MOTORSPORT AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

• From 1902 Renault Type K, to 2015 Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy EDC
• UK debut for the most focused version to date of Clio Renaultsport
• Attended by Renault senior executives including:
  • Michael Van der Sande (Senior Vice President, Global Marketing)
  • Antony Lo (Vice President, Exterior Design)Patrice Ratti (Managing Director, Renault Sport Technologies)
  • Cyril Abiteboul (Managing Director, Renault Sport F1)
• Renault extend their participation at Goodwood Festival of Speed for three years

Renault will showcase over 115 years of motorsport history at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed, this glittering history of innovation and success demonstrated by cars ranging from the 1902 Renault Type K to the 2005 Formula 1 Renault R25.

The direct link between innovation on the track and innovation for the road will be evident in the exciting array of Renault’s latest models, from the brand new Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy EDC - showing for the first time in the UK - to the keenly anticipated All-New Kadjar crossover and the charming electric Twizy.

Renault has committed to a further three-year agreement with Lord March to participate actively in the Festival of Speed at Goodwood.  

Michael Van der Sande, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, said: “Ever since our company was founded back in 1898, the people at Renault have been passionate about motorsport. 

This passion is passed on from one generation to the next, and it has given birth to some of the most iconic cars in Renault’s history: the Renault 8 Gordini, the Renault 5 Turbo, the Clio Williams, the Mégane Renaultsport, not to mention Renault’s Formula One and Formula E contributions.

“We are very proud to be partners of the Goodwood Festival of Speed for three more years. The Festival of Speed is a very unique event in Europe: it is the perfect setting for us to share our passion for motorsport with equally passionate members of the public and to showcase some of our most beautiful and exciting cars”.

Lord March said: “We are delighted that Renault chose to remain a sponsor of the Goodwood Festival of Speed for a further three years. 

With a racing history dating back over 115 years, an exceptional victory record and a unique take on motorsport, Renault is one of the key actors in our industry and its presence contributes to make the Festival Of Speed a genuinely world class event.

“Renault’s approach to the car in general, and to motorsport in particular, is often different, innovative and clever and forces its competitors to look at things from a new angle. It spurs innovation and competition, all things which we very much enjoy here at Goodwood.”

The direct link between Renault’s motorsport activities and its road cars is amply and excitingly illustrated by the brand’s Renaultsport models; these much admired and desired high performance cars attracting the admiration and affection of both customers and critics. 

Developed by a Renaultsport department that has a deep understanding of the ingredients needed for a great driver’s car, these models are not only the benchmarks for their class, but regularly topple cars costing several times the price in comparisons of drivers’ cars. 

The Mégane Renaultsport 275 Trophy is a fine example of this phenomenon, this car regularly shining in comparison tests, while the latest Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy EDC promises the prospect of similar giant-killing feats.

That the wellspring of innovation flows through everything Renault does is evident in the All-New Kadjar crossover, big brother to the hugely successful Captur. 

It’s the latest in a long and honourable line of innovative family Renaults that includes ground-breaking legends such as the Renault 16 hatchback – celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, the Clio’s Renault 5 ancestor, the segment-defining Espace and the Scenic.

Visitors to Goodwood will be able witness - live - an early part of the creative process that produces cars such as these on the Renault stand. Renault’s design team, including head of exterior design Anthony Lo, will make regular presentations on the art and engineering of design, together with demonstrations of the clay-modelling that is such a vital part of the process.

Two New Model Debuts, Live Clay-Modelling Demonstrations, Renaultsport and Electric Models

Displays of the exciting new Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy and the Renault Kadjar crossover are star features of the Renault stand, along with live clay-modelling demonstrations from the Renault design team, an example of the startlingly dramatic, 550hp mid-engined Renaultsport R.S.01 race car and a model of the zero-emission Formula E Spark-Renault SRT_01E racer.

The Kadjar is appearing here some months before it goes on sale in the last quarter of 2015. Also on show are examples of the Renault Mégane Renaultsport 275 Trophy, the successful Captur crossover, the innovative rear-engined Twingo city-car and the unique electric Twizy.

Renaultsport R.S.01

Renault’s motorsport commitment is dramatically underlined by the Renaultsport R.S. 01, a racing car of spectacular styling and exceptional performance. With design leading Renault’s future direction and governed by the pursuit of aerodynamic downforce, the R.S. 01’s technical specifications reflect the best of Renaultsport expertise. 

A carbon monocoque allowing a weight of under 1,100 kg and an engine developing over 500hp produce a top speed of over 187mph.

The Renaultsport R.S. 01 is the star of the World Series Renaultsport Trophy championship, which provides drivers with a springboard for the professional GT and Endurance championships.

Besides hinting at the DeZir concept car presented in 2010, 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 role of aerodynamics in its shape is evident from front splitter to rear wing. Air is channelled by the lower splitter into extractors positioned behind the front wheels. Running along the doors, these extractors change shape to become intercooler scoops providing cool air for the turbochargers. 

A rear diffuser forces the R.S. 01 to the track, extracting the air sweeping beneath a flat underside. It’s a system that has the huge advantage of being drag-free.

The R.S.01’s carbonfibre monocoque was a natural choice for delivering Renaultsport’s weight and safety targets. Italy’s Dallara was responsible for designing and building the chassis. The tub, which includes the 150 litre fuel tank, includes a steel roll cage at the top. The entire assembly respects FIA LMP1 2014 standards to ensure safety.

Grip is enhanced primarily by aerodynamic downforce and this is reflected in suspension design. In the same way as on sports prototypes, a pushrod-actuated c double wishbone layout has been adopted in combination with high-performance Öhlins dampers.

The braking system provides 380 mm carbon discs from PFC Brakes with six-piston calipers, delivering an excellent compromise between efficiency and endurance. 

The Renaultsport R.S. 01 is also fitted with Bosch Motorsport ABS. A partner of Renault Sport Technologies for all its motorsport models, Michelin has developed special 18-inch tyres, mounted on bespoke wheels fixed with a central nut.

The result is a racing car that’s not only dramatic and hugely fast but beautiful too, making it the perfect flag-bearer for Renault’s 115-year old motorsport track record.

Renault Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy EDC

The latest in a long and illustrious line of Renaultsport Clios, the new 220 Trophy EDC provides an array of useful and appealing upgrades in a car that will make its UK debut at the Festival of Speed. Power rises by 10 per cent to 220hp, a torque boost function lifts the peak by 40Nm to 280Nm - and Stop & Start reduces emissions by 6g/km to 138g/km. 

These power and efficiency gains have also been achieved via a new, larger turbocharger, a new air intake and revised exhaust system. Maximum revs rise to 6800rpm from the previous 6500rpm.

Also new is a more refined EDC six-speed dual-clutch transmission capable of swapping gears up to 50 per cent faster, its paddleshifts’ travel also reduced by 30 per cent for speedier response. Earlier downshifts are now available, with multiple downshifts achieved by simply holding the left-hand paddle.

The Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy EDC also features a lower and stiffer Trophy chassis, a quicker steering ratio and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, all of these heightening its agility.

Revised sports seats with integral head restraints help occupants enjoy the enhanced dynamic entertainment.  And as before, the R.S. Drive system provides three dynamic modes, Normal, Sport and Race.

The result is a Clio honed by Renaultsport’s passionate engineers to provide still sharper handling, improved and increased performance. 

All of which is coupled to the Renaultsport Clio’s exclusivity and distinctive styling. This latest version can beidentified by ‘Trophy’ badging on the front blade, door mouldings and individually-numbered door sills, and by 18-inch ‘Radical’ wheels with black inserts and diamond-effect facings. 

Frost White, a new Renault i.d. matt body colour combined with a roof and rear spoiler in gloss black, has been added to the palette alongside Glacier White, Diamond Black, Flame Red and Liquid Yellow.

The sports cabin features an embossed leather steering wheel and a ‘Trophy’ interior pack consisting of heated leather sports seats with integral headrests, as well as carbon-look air-vent surrounds, door handles and gear lever base plate. An optional Renaultsport Monitor on-board telemetry system includes a setting that gives the driver five different levels of throttle pedal sensitivity.

The Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy EDC is a numbered special edition providing real value for money in performance terms. 

It’s aimed at the most demanding customers including track-day enthusiasts and those who appreciate the dynamic, cutting-edge character of Renaultsport’s unrivalled performance expertise.

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 275 Trophy

Persistently regarded by critics as the best-handling front-wheel drive hatchback, the Mégane Renaultsport 275 Trophy benefits from Renault’s deep-rooted commitment to continuous improvement, which last year saw an array of upgrades designed to maintain its impressive performance edge.

The Mégane 275 Trophy is the latest in a line of limited edition Renaultsports, which began with the 265 Trophy in 2011 and continued with the Red Bull Racing RB8.

Following a relatively recent facelift, the top-of-the-range Mégane now benefits from a bespoke look and technical upgrades that combine the Cup chassis with a limited slip differential as standard. Renaultsport’s engineers have worked extensively on the powerplant to extract yet more power, producing an additional 10 horsepower.

The two-litre turbocharged petrol engine consequently boasts 275hp, and peak power is reached at 5,500rpm. 

At the same time maximum torque of 360Nm is available across a broad rev-band, from 3,000 to 5,000rpm. Despite this additional power, fuel consumption and emissions have been carefully contained to stand at 37.7mpg and 174g/km respectively. An Akrapovič titanium exhaust system is standard, distinguished by a more raucous bark and its matt black tailpipe.

This limited edition model can also be specified with optional adjustable Öhlins Road & Track dampers with steel springs. 

This evolution of technology employed in motorsport and on the Mégane N4 rally car allows drivers to adjust their damper settings. Also optionally available for those who enjoy track days are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres developed specifically for this front-wheel-drive car.

The Mégane’s new livery includes Trophy branding on the silver F1-style silver blade, while personalised body sides feature Trophy decals. Silver has also been selected for the chequered flag graphic at the base of the doors. 

Meanwhile, numbered door sill guards are visual proof of its exclusivity. Optional 19-inch black Speedline Turini wheels derived from those used by competition Méganes can also be ordered to complete the racy look.

Inside, the Mégane Renaultsport 275 Trophy comes with leather and Alcantara Recaro bucket seats with red stitching. Other interior highlights include visible red stitching for the Alcantara steering wheel trim and handbrake gaiter, as well as an alloy gear lever knob.

Renault Kadjar

An SUV, estate and saloon packed into a single, handsome package, the all-new Kadjar makes an early UK outing at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Robust, elegant, powerful and very efficient, the Kadjar offers driving dynamism and a haven of calm in a car packed with the latest safety, infotainment and connectivity systems.

Kadjar’s powerplants are both powerful and efficient.  From experience gained in many years of F1 engine development, Renault’s engineers have downsized the TCe petrol and dCi diesel motors so that they perfectly meet today’s demand for fulsome performance and exceptional efficiency. 

Fuel economy and CO₂figures will be as high as 74.3mpg and as low as 99g/km, matching the best-in-class.

The Kadjar will be offered in two- and four-wheel drive forms, and with manual and automatic transmissions. It has 190mm of ground clearance, and approach and departure angles of 18 and 25 degrees respectively, ensuring excellent all-road capability. 

Two-wheel-drive versions will be available with Renault’s Extended Grip traction control system so that they, too, can venture further off-road.

The four-wheel-drive models use the Renault-Nissan Alliance Electronic Traction Control (ETC) system, which drives a coupler to deliver torque to the wheels according to speed and level of grip. A rotary switch gives the driver access to three different driving modes.

All these features underline the Kadjar’s adaptability to any environment. 

Its compact size and command-post visibility make it ideal in busy urban areas, while its estate car-like driving position and quiet, comfortable interior ensure the driver remains relaxed and alert on long journeys. And it has everything those owners searching a moment of escapism and adventure might need.

That includes details like courtesy handles in the boot to release the ‘one-touch’ 60:40 split rear seats and a boot separable into three areas to prevent loads shifting in transit. 

It also includes more fundamental features like two boot configurations that provide either a flat floor or a seats-up capacity of 472 litres. There’s also 30 litres of storage space within the cabin, convenience that’s on a par with anything in the class.

The latest active safety features will help the driver avoid low-speed accidents, stay in lane on highways, park, see in the dark and remain within speed limits, while the R-Link 2 multimedia system ensures the Kadjar is always fully connected to the outside world. R-Link 2 is the control centre for all Kadjar’s functions, including the electronic driver aids.

It features voice recognition, telephone and apps, and displays information on a seven-inch tablet-style TFT screen to provide a comprehensive range of motoring, travel, news and social media apps. It’s both intuitive to use, and fully customisable.

Comfort on-board is further enhanced by a Bose® audio system that delivers exceptionally lifelike concert-hall sound and includes a centre fill speaker to help provide a complete sound stage.

Renault Twingo

The all-new Twingo, now featuring five doors and a larger cabin, is another fine example of the cross-pollination of race car with road car, its rear-engined mechanical layout shared with Formula One racers. It’s a layout that provides great traction, neat handling and a feature less vital in a racer unless contesting the Monaco Grand Prix, a tight turning circle handy for city streets.

Available with a wide range of personalization possibilities, the Twingo comes with a choice of two three-cylinder engines of 70bhp and 90bhp, while a new Dynamique S TCe 90 now tops the range. The benefits of the Twingo’s rear-engine configuration are considerable. 

It’s cabin is 13cm longer despite a 10cm reduction in overall length, and you can capitalize on its space efficiency with a front passenger seat whose backrest folds forward, enabling it to swallow a certain Swedish flat-packed bookcase whole.

The Twingo’s body architecture is well-suited to the urban life too, its short bonnet and large windscreen providing the best vertical field-of-view in the class. Combine this with its compact turning circle and a higher-than-average driving position and you have a car well suited to urban manoeuvres.

It’s also the only city car to be offered with a choice of two multimedia systems: the R & Go radio and R-Link. 

R & Go includes a mounting to position a smartphone close to eye-level as well as apps to harness it as a navigation tool, a music source and of course, a Bluetooth-enabled mobile. Alternatively there’s the latest R-Link multimedia system: R-Link Evolution, featuring a capacitative display (giving zooming and scrolling capability) and a DAB digital radio.

Renault Captur

Spacious, versatile and satisfyingly distinctive, the highly stylish Captur is a distinct hit among the fast-growing market for small crossovers. Combining the style and seating position of an SUV with the versatility of an MPV and fun-to-drive character of a small hatchback, the Captur is proving a very popular choice among British buyers, with over 30,000 already sold.

Sporty looks, a high seating position and the scope for extensive customisation complement advanced engines, the new 110bhp 1.5 dCi diesel offering up to 76.4mpg combined. And sophisticated touchscreen technology makes this car a pleasure to occupy. 

The Captur is now available with a new top-of-the-range Signature trim too, featuring R-Link Multimedia system with TomTom® LIVE satellite navigation, Grip Xtend advanced traction control, an uprated 4x35W Arkamys sound system, a rear parking camera and leather upholstery.

Renault Twizy

The charming Twizy is among the most radical electric cars on the market. A tandem two-seater, its agile performance, slender body and keen handling make for a practical and highly enjoyable urban machine that’s very stylish with it. 

Over 15,000 of these zero-emission machines have been sold worldwide, while Renault sales of electric models, which also include the ZOE supermini and Kangoo van, rose by 90percent in the UK during 2014. The Twizy is also available in Cargo form, with a 180 litre boot instead of a rear passenger seat.

High Performance Renault Hill-Runners

Renault is fielding a spectacular array of race and rally cars to attack the Goodwood hill, these cars spanning more than a century.

Here are the runners:

• 1902 Renault Type K
• 1926 Renault 40 CV Type NM des records
• 1975 Renault 17 Group 5
• 1984 Renault 5 Maxi Turbo
• 1979 Renault RS 10 Formula 1 – on static display
• 1983 Renault RE 40 Formula 1 – on static display
• 2005 Renault R 25 Formula 1 – on static display

1902 Renault Type K

The Type K brought Renault its first international racing victory in 1902. The company entered three cars in the Paris to Vienna race, although few thought they had much chance of winning against several far more powerful cars. 

But the Type K’s low weight was a real asset on the races hilly roads, bringing Marcel Renault victory at an impressive average speed of 38.8mph over 807 miles. The Type K will be tackling a hill once again over the weekend when it motors up the Goodwood House drive.

1926 Renault 40CV Type NM des records

This spectacular car – its long, deep bonnet occupies almost half its length – sat at the pinnacle of the Renault range in the 1920s and took part in many of the speed trials popular at the time. 

In 1926 the ultimate version of this 9.0 litre car was developed, complete with single seat, streamlined coupe bodywork, exposed wheels and a 14-strong crew trained in the art of refuelling it. 

It covered 50 miles at 118.1mph, and went on to achieve a 24-hour average of 107.9mph – big speeds for a production-based car of the day. You’ll be able get an impression of its drama when it thunders up the Goodwood hill.

1975 Renault 17 Groupe 5

Renault has a proud history of performance coupes, the handsomely styled front-wheel drive 15 and 17 carrying the torch during the 1970s. Renault will be airing its dramatic Groupe 5 Renault 17 racer at Goodwood.  

Competing in rallies from 1972 to 1975, the R17 was the first Renault model to win a round of the World Rally Championship in 1975.

A total of 14 official cars were prepared by the factory and this is the last and most successful of the run. 

This group 5 version included many aluminium components to reduce weight.  Its 1.8-litre engine produced 185hp transmitted through front wheel drive.  Weighing 820kg, its top speed was over 120mph.

1984 Renault R5 Maxi Turbo

By the mid ‘70s the sun had finally set on the Alpine A110’s glittering rally career, Renault’s rival Lancia dominating the scene with its mid-engined Stratos. 

Renault’s surprising answer to this Ferrari-powered supercar was an urban supermini, its hugely successful Five chosen as the unlikely basis for small, light and ferociously fast new mid-engined weapon. 

The idea was to move its engine from the front to the middle of the car to improve its traction and handling. The result was a rather strange looking Five, its rear wings distended by swollen wheel arches, its rear seats sacrificed to a box housing a highly tuned, turbocharged 1.4 litre engine of 162hp. 

The Rally Championship rules required that this weirdly appealing little car enter production, in the process creating one of Renault’s many legendary performance machines and a highly collectible car today. The Renault 5 Maxi Turbo scored its maiden win on the 1981 Monte Carlo rally, and remained a potent force until the all-wheel drive Group B cars arrived. 

The Maxi Turbo’s extraordinary proportions, and power, can be seen in action over the Festival weekend driven by Jean Ragnotti who will, as in previous Festivals, without doubt, be entertaining the crowds!

1983 Renault RE40 Formula 1 car - static

The RE40 was Renault’s first Formula One car to use a carbonfibre tub, this lightweight material and a sizeable set of wings intended to counter the banning of ground-effect aerodynamics for the 1983 season. 

The RE40’s cause was further aided by Renault’s now long-running 1.5 litre turbo engine, which was by now running twin turbochargers to achieve a spectacular 880hp.  Alain Prost was runner-up in the world championship in this car, scoring four wins from 14 races, three pole positions and three fastest laps.

2005 Renault R25 Formula 1 car - static

Fernando Alonso’s World Championship winning Renault R25 F1 car from 2005 takes pride of place amongst the Renault heritage cars in the F1 paddock.  In that year, Alonso won seven Grand Prix with five second places.  Its Renault 3.5-litre V10 produced over 800hp at an astonishing 15,500rpm.

Goodwood - A Live Motorsport Garden Party

Renault has been a star participant of the Goodwood Festival of Speed since 2001, when it appeared in consecutive years until 2006, returning in 2012 to appear every year since.

Staged in the beautiful grounds of Goodwood House amid England’s picturesque South Downs, the Festival provides the arrestingly incongruous sight of high-powered racing cars charging flat-out up the hill that is the house’s driveway. 

Grand domestic drive it might be, but this hillclimb provides considerable challenges, from a tree-lined blast to the first curve, a hidden, tight left-hander that has claimed many a victim and a flat-out sprint past an ancient flint wall.

Racing cars and Goodwood have been synonymous for decades, the first motorsport event taking place in 1936, when the ninth Duke of Richmond organized a hillclimb through the grounds of the house. 

World War 2 brought this activity to a close, but also prompted the construction of a nearby airfield whose perimeter road would eventually become the famous Goodwood motor circuit. The first race was held in 1948 and the last in 1966. 

When major car enthusiast Charles Gordon-Lennox, the current Earl of March, was prevented from restarting races at the circuit, he decided to stage his own festival of speed in the grounds of Goodwood House.

The event first attracted 30,000 visitors but now draws 180,000, many considering it the finest motoring event in Britain. Besides the hillclimb and its mouth wateringly exotic racing cars there is also a concours d’elegance featuring knowledgeable celebrity judges, an air display, events for younger visitors and vast amounts more. 

A particular highlight is the paddock, where fans can stand mere inches from some of the most famous racing cars in history and better still, meet their drivers.