If Renault has any sense, it’ll build a road-going version of the RS.01

Ask the average person to describe what they think about when they hear someone mention Renault and they’ll probably mention small, zippy city cars or people movers, a vehicle class that it pretty much defined through the Espace. What they probably won’t mention are gorgeous race cars and, while understandable, that is a very big mistake.

Take the RS.01 for instance. From 2015, it’ll be one of the stars of the Renault Sport Trophy, a springboard for the professional GT and Endurance championships.

Weighing just over 1000kgs, the RS.01 develops over 500bhp, and is capable of reaching a top speed of over 300km/h.

Thing is, we reckon the world should see more of this side of Renault. The RS0.1 looks spectacular and it shouldn’t be confined to the racetrack.

It deserves a road-going version and not just so that Renault can attract flamboyantly wealthy customers looking for something outside of the traditional GT fare. No, getting the RS0.1 on the road would benefit car lovers around the world.

Moreover, it would help Renault regain the kind of cool its lost to Citroen in recent years.