Renault taking the wraps off the RS 2027 Vision
concept at the Shanghai Auto Show.
The French brand has outfitted the RS 2027 Vision
concept with a drivetrain that consists of a turbocharged V6 engine and a
two-part kinetic energy recovery system that alone delivers 670 hp.
The V6 then increases total power to 1,341 hp (1 megawatt) while the incredibly
minimalist body means the concept only weighs 600 kg. This results in a
power-to-weight ratio of 2,235 kg/ton, about 1,000 hp/ton more than 2017-spec
F1 cars.
The design
of the RS 2027 Vision looks dramatically different to the F1 cars we are
familiar with. Looking beyond the radical new aerodynamic elements, the biggest
change is the implementation of a fully-enclosed cockpit not too dissimilar to
the cockpit of a jet fighter. In the midst of ongoing debates about head
protection in F1, this is one possible and rather radical solution.
Renault has outfitted the RS 2027 Vision
with autonomous driving modes which can be used during safety car periods to
keep the car at a set speed. Additionally, the vehicle uses car-to-car
communication that enables racers to track their rivals and more incredibly,
could allow gamers to participate virtually in real-time F1 races.
The concept is also relatively friendly to the
environment and is constructed from recycled materials that have been 3D
printed.
