Twin’z Concept

At the 71st Monaco Grand Prix weekend Renault is unveiling the Twin’Run, a racing car concept that pays homage to the iconic R5 Turbo.

Reviving the success of the the R5 Turbo and Clio V6, Renault has created a real racing car, powered by a mid-mounted 3.5 liter V6 engine based on the Mégane Trophy racer.

The unit delivers 320hp and is coupled with a SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox with limited slip differential.

 

The Twin’z Concept

Aesthetically, the Twin’Run derives from the recently introduced Twin’Z.

Both concept cars express the fifth stage (“Play”) in Renault’s design strategy based on the major phases in a lifetime, expressed through a flower petal. Each in its own way previews the styling direction and demonstrates the customization possibilities of a city car.

The main difference is the 3-door layout of the Twin’Run and a more production-ready look, without many of the distinctive styling elements and textures that characterized the concept presented last month.

Among the technical highlights are the multi-tube steel chassis and the bodywork in a glass-polyester composite, with carbon fiber used for the front blade, roof, rear vent and wheelarches.

During the official debut on Monaco racetrack spectators got to see a pursuit race with the Twin’Run tailed by a Clio V6 driven by F1 star Charles Pic and a Maxi 5 Turbo with its celebrated driver, Jean Ragnotti, at the helm.

Design

The Twin’Run has a compact, ultra-dynamic body. The wheels set in the far corners, minimal overhang and high waistline underscore the dynamic feel and driving credentials.

The diamond-dominated front end underlines Renault’s new styling approach through its new brand identity.

Like Twin’Z, Twin’Run gets blue paint in reference to the “Play” petal of the fifth stage in the French marque’s design strategy.

“Twin’Run is a cocktail of energy, passion and athleticism, rekindling the memory of emblematic Renault racing cars,” says Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design at the Renault group.

“Following its twin, Twin’Z, a stylish urban concept car, Twin’Run shows that personalization is a core strategy at Renault.”

The blue paint finish on Twin’Run features taut, graphically drawn lines with emphatic shoulders enhanced by touches of red on the strip running all the way along the body, as well as two red bands on the roof. Red also figures at the front, where it underlines the grille and air intakes, and on the ultra-slim door mirrors and the tips of the rear airfoil. A red surround emphasizes the circumference of the black and white wheels.

The “5” on the doors refers to the R5 Turbo, the emblematic 1980s rally car.
A host of details pay homage to this illustrious forerunner, including the design of the headlights and the generous haunches at the back. The four additional, extra-flat headlights with LED technology are a modern-day take on the light racks used in night rally specials.

The fully customizable light sequences are controlled by an in-car system, the development of which was a real challenge as the designers had to provide a powerful light source in a lamp measuring just 25 mm.

“Twin’Run embodies the mad genius Renault has been known for over the decades, to the delight of motor sports enthusiasts. No one has forgotten the R5 Turbo and the Clio V6. Twin’Run is the true heir of those racing cars that had so much appeal,” says *Axel Breun, Head of Concept Car Design.

Technical Features

Twin’Run was developed with the assistance of Tork Engineering / Poclain Vehicules, a French firm specialized in the preparation of chassis for competition. The concept car is a real racing car that has benefited from such competition expertise. The composite material bodywork covers a multi-tube steel chassis powered by a mid-engine engine derived from Mégane Trophy.

Twin’Run is fitted with the V4Y engine from the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which is used on the road for Laguna, Espace and Latitude, as well as in competition with the Mégane Trophy racer. Mounted longitudinally ahead of the rear axle centreline, the V6 3,498cc powerplant delivers 320hp at 6,800 rpm and torque of 380Nm at 4,850 rpm.

The engine is full-bodied and generous from low revs, delivering linear acceleration and providing excellent traction around bends and in acceleration.

The V6 is mated to a SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox with limited slip differential, enhancing Twin’Run stability and traction in curves. The twin clutch is also borrowed directly from competition.

The air intake vents are positioned at the level of the rear wheel arches. Air extractors in the rear quarter lights help keep the engine cool. The cooling system has received special treatment with polished aluminum pipes set visibly into the cabin floor. The engine is separated from the driving position by a plexiglass panel.

The concept car is well balanced with a 43/57 weight distribution, to ensure it remained so given the mid-engine architecture, various components were positioned under the bonnet, including include the fuel tank, radiator and the hydraulic system.

The bodywork in a glass-polyester composite has also benefited from racing expertise. This includes carbonfibre for the front blade, roof, rear vent and wheelarches. Carbon fibre technology combines aesthetics and efficiency, while keeping costs down.

The design process was been led by a continuous effort to avoid reinvention with a common sense approach. The chassis has been made of a combination of track-proven elements, allowing to develop quickly a very efficient racing car.

The two-box architecture of Twin’Run creates lift at high speeds. The aerodynamics have received special attention with a vent channelling the air flow under the car and a fixed airfoil for enhanced aerodynamic support at high speeds.

Chassis

Twin’Run sits on a multi-tube high-performance steel chassis derived from aeronautics and used in competition. The chassis was developed entirely by Tork Engineering.

The ground link is provided by front and rear axles fitted with double-wishbone suspension with independent pivots. The four pivots, in solid aeronautical quality aluminum, deliver high performance on the track. For filtering and body stability, Twin’Run is fitted with OHLINS spring shock absorbers at the front and rear.

The axles have an anti-roll bar with a diameter of 22 mm at the front and 25 mm at the rear. Roll is perfectly controlled for agility and responsiveness.

The aluminum wheel covers feature a special hub with a central bolt that can be dismounted in three parts and fit 18” Michelin tires.