Renault Spider
| Renault Sport Spider | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Also called | Renault Spider |
| Production | 1996–1999 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Roadster |
| Layout | RMR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1998 cc straight-4, 16v, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2343 mm (92.2 in.) |
| Length | 3795 mm (149.4 in.) |
| Width | 1830 mm (72 in.) |
| Height | 1250 mm (49.2 in.) |
| Curb weight | 930 kg (2050 lb) |
| Category | One-make racing |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Inaugural season | 1995 |
| Folded | 1999 |
| Constructors | Renault |
The Renault Sport Spider was a roadster produced by the French automaker Renault Sport (a subsidiary of Renault) between 1996 and 1999.
The idea for the Renault Spider was formulated in the early 1990s: in the midst of a revival after a difficult second half of the 1980s, Renault wanted a car to promote it as a sporting brand (similar to the Renault 5 Turbo from a decade earlier). The Spider was intended to both serve as a racing car, in a one-make series organized by Renault, and as a road car. The first prototypes for Project W94, as it was known at the time, were completed in mid-1994 and a concept version was presented to the public at the Geneva Motor Show a year later. The car went on sale in early 1996, assembled at the Alpine factory in Dieppe. Left hand drive versions were first produced with an aeroscreen device the same as the race cars. In 1997 a version with a full glass windscreen and wiper was made available. Approximately 1800 cars were produced through 1999. The UK market only imported the windscreen version and 100 right hand drive cars were produced. The Spider was the first ever road car badged as a Renault Sport and the Brand name has subsequently been used for all high performance Renault cars that are developed by the Renault Sport division which is a separate company with the Renault Nissan Groupe.
Designed from the outset as a driver's car, the chassis was made of aluminium for its combination of low weight and substantial strength, while the actual bodywork is a plastic composite. Unusually, the Spider did not have a roof, either folding or hard-top. The gearbox and the engine were one unit transversally fixed in an oscillating hinge (an arrangement inspired by aeronautical design), which all but eradicated the interference of engine vibration with the chassis, and the pedals of the Spider were adjustable as well as the seat so the driver could achieve a better driving position. Power for the Spider came from a version of the 2-litre F7R engine from the Renault Megane Coupe, producing 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp). Either a windscreen or a small wind deflector was fitted, with the driver wearing a helmet in vehicles without a windscreen.
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