renault re30

Renault RE30B Turbo driven by Rene Arnoux 1982

In the mid 60’s the rules of Formula One were changed such that normally aspirated engines could be used up to a maximum engine capacity of 3.0 litres and a turbocharged engine, 1.5 litres. It wasn’t until 1977 that Renault decided to build a turbocharged engine and compete in the F1 championship. Most designers considered the huge loss of displacement, when building a turbocharged engine, such a big handicap that the car was bound to be uncompetitive. We now know that Renault started a trend, that saw turbo cars competing right up to the end of 1988.

The first car produced by Renault with a turbo engine was the RS-01. The car wasn’t very successful during the 1977 season but over the next two years, the engine and car were improved until, in 1979, at the hands of Jean-Pierre Jabouille, it won the French Grand Prix. The engine used twin turbo’s in an attempt to overcome the infamous turbo lag. This development also provided greater torque over a wider rpm band, making the car and engine, a very competitive package.

The RE20 of 1980 brought Renault three wins that year and even though there were still problems with the system, they were proving the turbo engine was the way to go. The RE30 was introduced in 1981 with the RE30B in 1982. During 1982 Renault, Ferrari, Toleman, Brabham and Alfa Romeo all entered 1.5 litre turbocharged cars. The Renault V6 engine produced 560bhp and although the other manufacturers were adopting aluminium, Renault stuck with cast iron for its strength to endure the tremendous pressures generated by the turbo charging system. Electronic fuel injection was used to reduce the lag time in acceleration. Intercoolers were used to cool the compressed air, which is being sucked into the cylinders. It is said that every degree which the air can be cooled by, is equal to a gain of one bhp.

The RE30B won three times during 1982. South Africa, France and Italy, taking 10 pole positions out of the seasons 16 races. This effort took the team to third place in the constructors championship and allowed Alain Prost to secure fourth in the drivers championship.

The car modelled is that of Rene Arnoux but Tamiya also offer the car driven by Alain Prost that year. The engine bay provides a nicely detailed power unit with the twin turbo’s sitting one either side of the Renault Gordini engine.