Renault R.S. 2027 Vision electrifies Formula One at Auto Shanghai
Renault unveiled its R.S. 2027 Vision concept at the 2017 Auto Shanghai, imagining a lightweight, electrified Formula One car with advanced driver focus and safety.
Renault used the 2017 Auto Shanghai to present its vision for the future of Formula One, unveiling the R.S. 2027 Vision concept. The French marque’s show car imagines what a Grand Prix machine could look like a decade on: lightweight, electrified and designed to put the driver back at the centre of the sport.
The R.S. 2027 Vision weighs just 600 kg and pairs a compact internal combustion engine with a battery system Renault claims is five times as powerful as those in contemporary F1 cars. Peak output is quoted at 1,340 hp (1,000 kW), resulting in a power-to-weight ratio that would eclipse anything seen in the sport’s history. The concept features all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, a technical direction that departs from current F1 regulations but hints at the possibilities for future performance and agility.
Renault’s designers have placed a strong emphasis on the driver’s role and safety. The R.S. 2027 Vision features a fully transparent cockpit canopy, paired with a transparent helmet, aiming to improve visibility for fans and reinforce the driver’s presence. Safety measures include two titanium pop-up roll-over bars, addressing concerns raised by recent high-profile accidents in single-seater racing.
Technical highlights and future focus
- Hybrid powertrain with large-capacity batteries
- Active LED lighting for improved visibility and communication
- Adaptive aerodynamic elements, including active wings
- Closed cockpit for enhanced driver protection
The R.S. 2027 Vision also introduces active LED lighting and adaptive aerodynamic features. The lighting is intended to communicate car status and improve on-track visibility, while active wings and other aero elements adjust in real time for performance and safety. These features reflect Renault’s view that Formula One should balance technical spectacle with driver engagement and fan accessibility.
Renault’s concept arrives as Formula One considers its future technical direction, with electrification, safety and fan engagement all under discussion. The R.S. 2027 Vision is not a production or race-ready car, but it signals the kind of innovation manufacturers are willing to propose as the sport looks ahead. For another example of Renault’s approach to concept cars, see theRenault Trezor, winner of the 2016 Concept Car Design of the Year.
