Press Release
Page 1: Overview
Page 2: Punchy Looks
Page 3: Aerodynamics
Page 4: Chassis
Page 5: Power
Page 6: Safety
Page 7: The Success
Extensive development work has gone into New Clio Renault Sport??????????????????????????????????????s aerodynamics, which feature front wing extractor vents and a rear air diffuser, a first for this class of vehicle.
Air diffuser: racing technology
Both visually and technologically, New Clio Renault Sport??????????????????????????????????????s most striking technological innovation lies in the design of the rear bumper which incorporates an air diffuser. Derived from Formula 1, this feature has only ever previously been seen on range-topping, high-priced sports cars.
The diffuser??????????????????????????????????????s purpose is to prevent rear-end lift and maintain stability at high speed by channelling air flow in such a way to increase the suction effect.The radius of the diffuser??????????????????????????????????????s curve is engineered to create a zone of low pressure beneath the car.The downforce generated by the diffuser means there is no need for a rear spoiler to counter the phenomenon of lift. For optimal stability, the system reduces lift by a factor of three and produces the equivalent of 40kg of rear downforce on motorways and up to 70kg on circuit without detracting from the car??????????????????????????????????????s carefully honed aerodynamics designed to achieve a low CdA.
To maximize the diffuser??????????????????????????????????????s effectiveness, the flushfitted dual exhausts are housed within the outer channels. Positioned in this way, they do not interfere with the efficiency of the aerodynamics.
Extractor vents for optimized performance
The front wing extractor vents also have an aerodynamic function by reducing turbulence to optimize the car??????????????????????????????????????s drag coefficient. The extractor vents facilitate both the flow and hot air from under the bonnet. At the same time, the vents direct air flow along the sides of the car to further enhance performance.
New Clio Renault Sport also comes with a specific bumper and grille, as well as a semirigid aerodynamic splitter which restricts the amount of air that passes underneath the car.
Diffusers in Formula 1
The diffuser is one of the most significant features of modern Formula 1 aerodynamics technology and exploits the speed of the air that passes underneath the car to draw the chassis to the ground. Airflow passing underneath the car at the front is channelled by a flat bottom to the diffuser where the air is accelerated before being forced out at the rear, thereby creating a zone of low pressure which ???????????????????????????????????sucks???????????????????????????????? the car to the ground. Like a conventional wing, the diffuser generates significant vertical downforce but doesn??????????????????????????????????????t impede the car??????????????????????????????????????s forward movement. Renault Sport Technologies?????????????????????????????????????? engineers have exploited the same principle to ensure that New Clio Renault Sport stays ???????????????????????????????????glued???????????????????????????????? to the road.
