Renault: Sport Spider at the request of fans
NO COMPROMISES ON COMFORT With the ultra-flat two-seater Sport Spider, Renault presented a model in 1995 that still occupies a special position even in the brand's rich history of racing and sports cars. The radical mix of mid-engine design, racing chassis, lightweight construction and complete lack of comfort of any kind made the bolide a cult vehicle. Fans demanded a road-going version [...]
The radical mix of mid-engine design, racing chassis, lightweight construction and complete abandonment of comfort of any kind made the bolide a cult vehicle.
Fans demanded a street version
Originally, the Sport Spider was designed for racing. The primary venue was to be the Renault Sport Spider Trophy in the run-up to Formula 1.
But fans soon wanted to see the uncompromising sports car on the road. So between 1995 and 1999, Alpine in Dieppe produced a small series of 1726 vehicles.
Plastic body from three parts
The flounder, which weighed just 930 kilograms and was 1.28 meters high (including roll bar!), was clad in a futuristic plastic body. With the exception of the upward-swinging gullwing doors, this consisted of just three parts.
In the best racing tradition, a lattice tube chassis served as the underbody. A windshield was only available at extra cost. Heating, radio and power steering were not available.
The 150 hp engine accelerated the lightweight from zero to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The top speed was 210 km/h.
Chassis based on Formula 1
Curves were the Renault Sport Spider's territory more than fast highway stages, which the runabout took under its wheels with the agility of a go-kart thanks to its chassis derived from formula racing cars.
But the Sport Spider is also considered a milestone in another respect: it was the first road car to bear the Renault Sport emblem, thus establishing a tradition that continues to this day.
