Renault R30

[myurr]

Ok fair point, but the car presented today has got a totally different engine cover, no fuel cover, explain.

I'm actually with you. There are enough detail changes that would make this at least an interim 2010 car.

[PlatinumZealot]

I will trust my instincts, I believe that this not an R30!!

Straight up common sense.. this is a hybrid R29!! Just look on it..
Just like when I said the MP4-25 has an extra pie-hole under the engine air intake and people thought I was talking rubbish; this car is a straight up R29 "guinea pig".

I will take it all back if I am wrong of course...but I have to go with my observations on this one.

[djos]

Ok fair point, but the car presented today has got a totally different engine cover, no fuel cover, explain.

none of the new cars have traditional fuel covers, they don't need them this year and so they have been dumped to save weight and improve packaging.

[ElRebelde]

There seem to be two sets of pictures around. I think one is the R29 dressed up but I think the R30 is also out there. Renault's own site has two different front wings among their pictures (and no, I'm not counting that photo from Paris)

[ESPImperium]

Untill tomorrow and i see what Kubica is driving, im gonna call it the R29B. Im not totally convinced its the R30.

[djos]

I will trust my instincts, I believe that this not an R30!!

Straight up common sense.. this is a hybrid R29!! Just look on it..
Just like when I said the MP4-25 has an extra pie-hole under the engine air intake and people thought I was talking rubbish; this car is a straight up R29 "guinea pig".

I will take it all back if I am wrong of course...but I have to go with my observations on this one.

how do you explain them wasting resources by moving the cockpit forward and installing entirely new suspension?

sorry mate, that would require an entirely new tub and floor and teams just dont waste that kind of time and money these days!

[djos]

There seem to be two sets of pictures around. I think one is the R29 dressed up but I think the R30 is also out there. Renault's own site has two different front wings among their pictures (and no, I'm not counting that photo from Paris)

Refer to manchild's top down split image and the car shown at the circuit - they are of the R30.

High-Res: http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/4913/new12.jpg

[manchild]

Airbox is different, mirros are different. Fact that airbox is different means that it is a new chassis, since it wasn't changed thought the 2009.

[ISLAMATRON]

Wow, if this is the actual R30, you gotta give them props for maintaining almost the same wheelbase as last year(thanks for the reworked Pic manchild)... although it means nothing if the aero is still crap... plus they dont have any truly great drivers so they wont get much done this year regardless... but how fuel efficient is that Renault engine if the new fuel tank can be packaged into something that small... watchout for the RBR even more then.

[ISLAMATRON]

Finally a pic that really shows the difference in the new front tires... thanks again manchild

[i70q7m7ghw]

To all that believe this is at the very most an R29B I agree in a way, it very much could be, but I ask you one question.... why? Why would they make a B spec car when they know they need to make one with a longer wheelbase?

I believe this is the R30, I could believe it's an R29B, but i'm more inclined to say R30 due to the fact it has several very significant changes:-

+New Engine covers which don't feature a fuel rig point (due to 2010 rules)
+A completely reworked rear suspension with a stearing arm inline with the lower wishbone
+A reworked rear crash structure that is below the beam wing to most likely enhance the diffuser.

[marcush.]

Front cameras on brake ducts!

Aligned by cockpits as they are the only identical parts of the car.

did someone notice that the floor of the r30 is cut out extremely around the rear tyres ? it almost seems that the outer difusserparts are separated items,not acontinuation of the flat floor..

[Confused_Andy]

Most disappointing launch so far.

Cudos on the wheelbase but the aero hasnt changed THAT much from 2009 so I dont see them mounting a title challenge this year. Looks like they've just tweeked it from the R29, and as the old tale goes, You can't polish a turd!

[marcush.]

add to that they lost alonso and got Bob for it.remember him not being the nice guy when things arenot evolving to his liking .
I suddenly understand why Heidi decided to test for Norbert....

[myurr]

Front cameras on brake ducts!

Aligned by cockpits as they are the only identical parts of the car.

did someone notice that the floor of the r30 is cut out extremely around the rear tyres ? it almost seems that the outer difusserparts are separated items,not acontinuation of the flat floor..

That overhead is a great shot of the difference, those that there are. Side pods are definitely fatter and less undercut. Exhausts have moved back. Wheel base is longer but the front wheel has been moved back towards the driver to compensate.

Definitely an interesting cut in the floor - perhaps trying to do the same thing as McLaren tried last year but couldn't get to work.

Interestingly I think the driver actually sits a bit further forward - compare the T camera position and the start of the side pod.

Looks like they've done a good job on the packaging, particularly for the slower twisty circuits where the wheelbase will be an advantage, but their aero is most definitely evolution not revolution which, given the state of their budget, isn't surprising. Doesn't bode particularly well though as last year their aero was poor.