Renault Founder Encourages by Racing Personally
High-Performance Powertrains Applied to Clio and Megane Models
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Founded in 1899, Renault began participating in automobile racing competitions in the early 1900s. In 1903, the year it succeeded in developing its own engine, it entered the long-distance race ‘Paris-Madrid Race,’ which covered 1,307 km. One of the founders, Marcel Renault, took the wheel as a driver. Renault’s founder was so passionate about motorsports that he personally took part in races.
Renault Sport was established in 1976. The team was formed together with motorsport experts from Alpine, which Renault had acquired in 1973. The following year, they immediately entered Formula One (F1). In the early days of F1 participation, Renault struggled. In the first season, they did not finish a single race. In the second season, 1978, they only scored 3 points. Their breakthrough came starting in 1981.
Renault Sport, having gained extensive experience and diverse know-how by participating in various motorsports including F1, began launching high-performance versions of mass-produced cars. The name of the high-performance lineup is R.S., which stands for ‘Renault Sport,’ not ‘Racing Sports.’
The first Renault R.S. started with the Clio. The Clio, currently sold as a hatchback model, is so popular that it consistently ranks among the best-selling cars in Europe every year. The Clio was the successor to the Renault 5, which introduced the unprecedented mass-produced rear-midship hatchback ‘Renault 5 Turbo.’
The high-performance Clio did not carry the R.S. badge but was named ‘Clio Williams.’ The name was taken from the Williams F1 team, to which Renault supplied engines at the time. This compact high-performance hatchback even served as a safety car at the 1996 Argentine Grand Prix season in F1.
Continuously unveiling the R.S. lineup, Renault Sport took on the German N?rburgring, known as the ‘Green Hell,’ in April 2019. The star was the Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R, equipped with a 1.8L turbo direct-injection gasoline engine producing 300 horsepower and 40.8 kg·m of torque. The Megane R.S. Trophy-R completed the 20.6 km Nordschleife track, consisting of 154 corners, in 7 minutes 40.100 seconds. This record remains unbroken as the fastest front-wheel-drive car lap time.
The 1.8L turbo gasoline direct-injection engine in the Megane R.S. Trophy-R is from the same family as the engine used in Renault Korea Motors’ mid-size sedan SM6 TCe 300. Codenamed M5Pt, it is also used in the Megane R.S., SM6, and Alpine A110. This signifies that the engine delivers high performance worthy of high-performance sports models while having undergone thorough validation.
Under the hood of the SM6 TCe 300 is a 1.8L twin-scroll turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine that produces 225 horsepower and 30.6 kg·m (300 Nm) of torque. This is quite powerful for a mid-size sedan. It is paired with a German Getrag wet dual-clutch transmission, providing brisk acceleration and agile response. The rack-type EPS steering system, typically chosen for premium models, offers sharp steering. These elements combine to give the SM6 TCe 300 a driving experience akin to that of a sports sedan.
Interesting options utilizing advanced connectivity also catch the eye. In-car payment, which can be used at some convenience stores, fast-food outlets, restaurants, and cafes, is praised for leading new consumption patterns through IT technology. Features for passenger convenience and safety, such as assist calls and breakdown help calls, have also been added, receiving positive feedback from consumers.
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