2012 Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept

Produced with the renowned expertise of Renault Sport Technologies, the Renault Alpine A110-50 is imbued with the world of motorsport. It benefits from the experience gained from the racing Mégane Trophy by using the same technical platform. Acclaimed by drivers in the WORLD SERIES by RENAULT, the tubular chassis of the Renault Alpine A110-50 has beenstiffened and undergone several developments. The roll cage and bracing in the engine bayhave been modified (lowered) in the workshop of Tork Engineering to adapt them to thevehicle’s height, which is lower than that of Mégane Trophy. The digital design work was led byRenault Design, Koller and Etud Integral, while final assembly was carried out by Protostyle. The final weight distribution is almost ideal, with 47.8% over the front wheels.

To facilitate servicing, the concept car features integral pneumatic jacks. Derived directly from the systems seen in endurance racing, they allow the wheels to be changed extremely quickly. An exceptional car that fuses elegance and aerodynamic efficiency

The efficiency of the Renault Alpine A110-50 concept car is largely generated by ground effect. At the front, a splitter hidden in the bumper generates low pressure, which results in significant aerodynamic downforce. At the rear, a diffuser accelerates air flow beneath the floor. Ground effect therefore accounts for more than one-third of the car’s downforce, with the rest coming from an adjustable rear wing.

The research and design of this air flow was conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics, a cutting-edge technology used particularly in F1. CFD involves studying movements of a fluid, or their effects, by resolving digitally the equations which govern the fluid. This technique was used by Renault Sport Technologies primarily in order to fine-tune the aerodynamics and study
the behaviour of the New Mégane Trophy as a function of air flow.

The wheelbase of the Renault Alpine A110-50 is identical to that of Mégane Trophy (2,625mm), the track is slightly wider at 1,680mm front and 1,690mm rear. The 21-inch wheels, with a single central nut, are specific to this car and fitted with roadhomologated Michelin tyres. The Sachs dampers can be adjusted in compression and extension, and are mounted directly onto the lower wishbones. There are numerous different set-up options: castor, camber and alignment, ride height, anti-roll. In order to improve driver feedback, driving aids like ABS, traction control, etc. are not fitted.

Developed on the same technical platform as Mégane Trophy, the Renault Alpine A110-50
concept car also boasts the same chief technical characteristics.

It runs the Renault V4Y engine block, a 3.5 litre 24-valve 400hp V6 mounted in a mid-rear position. The crankcase (semi-wet), moving parts (pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft), valve train (camshafts and valve springs) and exhaust system are specific compared to the version featured on productions models. Furthermore, the Renault Alpine A110-50 uses the carbon air intake employed for Mégane
Trophy V6.

The inlet manifold is fed by a new roof-mounted air intake. This development broadens the engine’s power band, with additional horsepower at all engine speeds. The engine mapping has been optimised for these modifications.