Renault RS01
The first turbocharged Formula One car, mocked as the 'yellow teapot' before it proved turbo power could work.
- Power
- 503 bhp
About the Renault RS01
Renault Sport, formed by merging the Alpine and Gordini competition departments, built the RS01 around a 1,496 cc turbocharged V6 drawn from its sports car programme, using the 1.5-litre forced-induction option in the rules that no other team had pursued. Designed by André de Cortanze and Jean-Pierre Jabouille, it debuted at the 1977 British Grand Prix as an overweight experimental car, with a cast-iron block to withstand boost and a deliberately simple chassis so that engine development came first. Turbo lag and frequent failures dogged it until twin turbochargers improved matters, and Jabouille scored its first points with fourth at the 1978 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. In 1979 he took the first pole position for a turbo car at Kyalami, where the altitude cost naturally aspirated engines around 20% of their power.
Renault RS01 specs
The Renault RS01 produces 503 bhp (375 kW) and 372 Nm (274 lb-ft) of torque.
| Make | Renault |
|---|---|
| Model | RS01 |
| Years | 1977–1979 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | France |
| Production | About 4 built |
| Engine | 1.5L turbocharged V6 (Renault-Gordini EF1) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,496 cc (1.5 litres) |
| Induction | Turbocharged |
| Power | 503 bhp (375 kW) at 11,000 rpm |
| Torque | 372 Nm (274 lb-ft) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (Hewland FGA 400) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 605 kg (1,334 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 831 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Renault RS01 rarity in CarSpot
The Renault RS01 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Renault RS01 fun facts
- It was also the first Formula One car to race on radial tyres, supplied by Michelin.
- Its 1977 debut made it the first forced-induction car to compete in a Formula One race since the BRM Type 15 in 1951.
- Within three years most rival teams were adopting turbocharging, with Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Honda and Porsche all supplying turbo engines.