The men who were at the origins of the Spider are Patrick Le Quément (Renault chief designer in the 90's) and Christian Contzen (manager of the Renault Sport operation), they got the green light of the CEO Raymond Lévy but they unfortunately didn't convince him to brand this car as an Alpine (the Spider main design inspiration is based on the Alpine A220 Cévennes). On the other hand, the Spider is the first road legal car that has the Renault Sport emblem. BTW, Renault is still making cool sportscars today : the Alpine A110 R can kick many more powerful cars asses.
While I do spot the occasional Lotus Elise, it is highly unlikely that I will ever see a Renault Sport Spider over here in the States. Yet I imagine that were a person to show up in one of these it would easily stand apart from the crowd no matter where in the world it was being driven.
Looks like this car has an unbeatable smiles per mile ratio. The main reason why the Lotus Elise was lighter than the Spider is because Renault wanted this car to have a high Euro Ncap score, similar with their other cars. Lotus didn't have the same goal. Otherwise, the weight would have been on par with the Lotus. This info is given by Patrick Le Quément (Renault head designer at the time and co creator of the Spider with Christian Contzen, head of Renault sport operations) and available on the video about the Spider on Big Car YT channel.
The "frenchracer" Renault Spider is a complete different construction in comparison to a Lotus. The Renault Cup was designed as a race car from the beginning.. The street version as a saute vent ( with no windshield ) has no comparison for a long time except in the later days with modern Ferrari Monza.
The Elise was a market car, Lotus future depended on it. 12000 series 1 have been produced. The Spider was a statement, it was a halo car of sorts without any precise sales target. 1700 cars have been produced. So it's logic the Elise S1 design constraints were aimed to please to a majority of people, while the Spider didn't have to do so.
@@resnonverba137 Absolutely. I was just giving the reasons why the Spider has a more controversial design than the Elise. I wasn't arguing but if you want to do so then tell me something I don't agree with and I'll give it a go if it's worth it. Otherwise, sorry if you feel that my two cents on this subject may have appeared confrontational with "the comment".
I heard a rumour the chassis was cribbed from the Lotus Elise but they bonded the chassis components with a different method to Lotus which negatively impacted the handling. Probably a myth but I remember that one did the rounds at the time.
Both Elise and Spider used a aluminium parts from the same supplier for the chassis: Hydro Aluminium. The Elise is bonded while the Spider is welded, which requieres thicker walls and makes the chassis heavier. The chassis design is quite different but both with extruded alumunium parts. Lotus uses a sort of tub while Renault uses a conventional ladder design. The chassis stiffness is similar. Nowadays bonding is is very common but in the nineties it was quite revolutionary.
Why does it weigh so much? My Twingo RS only weighs 100kg more. Just seems a bit heavy to me compared to what it is.Just shows Lotus were the Kings of lightweight design.Elise mk1 725kg this heavyweight 930kg my Twingo RS 1040kg
Wish it was cheaper. I would totally cop one if it was more affordable. I’m rather poor but I want a supercar. It’s not crazy expensive yet is slightly out of my budget.
Sign me up! Perfect world, it would have been left hand drive (US market) otherwise looks like perfect entertainment - I'd even adapt to right hand drive if need be!
Interesting car, but it’s aged badly, relative to the S1 Elise that was & remains so much lighter & far cleverer than the Renault. The boss of Renault was livid when he saw the Elise at the Frankfurt show & demanded to know why his engineers hadn’t known about bonding aluminium. All the money at the vast Renault empire, was destroyed by the ingenuity of Lotus. Renault made 1800 Sport Spiders, Lotus built 10,000 S1 Elise’s & in total in excess of 50,000 Elise’s.
I'm a simple man: I see lightweight, I click on the video!
It's not lightweight
@@simmadpaul2880 It is, less than 1000kg IS light, stop saying nonsense!
@@leomux2004 I was comparing it to the Elise which is 200kg lighter. Read my other comment. So yes it is heavy in comparison.
Hi my alter ego
@@hobbymanx9200 Hello, mate!🤠
I remember seeing a stack of these together at lemans 24 many moons ago. Still look awesome!
Whoever was in charge at Renault in the 90's needs to come back! This and the Clio V6 would never be made today by them!
Yeah man,it had it's Renault Sport section
Yes, I thought the same. They're no longer interested in performance hatches.
Don't forget about the Clio Williams, it was a brilliant hot hatch
@@dieselscartalk4146 👍
The men who were at the origins of the Spider are Patrick Le Quément (Renault chief designer in the 90's) and Christian Contzen (manager of the Renault Sport operation), they got the green light of the CEO Raymond Lévy but they unfortunately didn't convince him to brand this car as an Alpine (the Spider main design inspiration is based on the Alpine A220 Cévennes). On the other hand, the Spider is the first road legal car that has the Renault Sport emblem.
BTW, Renault is still making cool sportscars today : the Alpine A110 R can kick many more powerful cars asses.
this whole series is such a treat! keeping an eye out for all these cars!
While I do spot the occasional Lotus Elise, it is highly unlikely that I will ever see a Renault Sport Spider over here in the States. Yet I imagine that were a person to show up in one of these it would easily stand apart from the crowd no matter where in the world it was being driven.
Which is unfortunate because it’s hideous
Looks like this car has an unbeatable smiles per mile ratio.
The main reason why the Lotus Elise was lighter than the Spider is because Renault wanted this car to have a high Euro Ncap score, similar with their other cars. Lotus didn't have the same goal.
Otherwise, the weight would have been on par with the Lotus. This info is given by Patrick Le Quément (Renault head designer at the time and co creator of the Spider with Christian Contzen, head of Renault sport operations) and available on the video about the Spider on Big Car YT channel.
Project Gotham Racing 2 classic
I have one, it is an absolute hoot and for fun I choose it every time over my 996... unless it's raining of course... But watch out for your licence!
Damn, I forget about this car, that was something back then.
The "frenchracer" Renault Spider is a complete different construction in comparison to a Lotus. The Renault Cup was designed as a race car from the beginning.. The street version as a saute vent ( with no windshield ) has no comparison for a long time except in the later days with modern Ferrari Monza.
I saw one on Mulholland Drive once. Could hardly believe my eyes.
Have 1 on sale here in Brunei Bnd$ 35,000, thats why i check it out. Sad that it doesnt have roof or window, rain is common and unpredictable here.
A classic, yes. However I'm surprised at how badly it's aged. The Elsie seems to get better with age.
Agreed. The Renault looks naff & very bitty & the very kit car interior is horrific.
The Elise was a market car, Lotus future depended on it. 12000 series 1 have been produced.
The Spider was a statement, it was a halo car of sorts without any precise sales target. 1700 cars have been produced.
So it's logic the Elise S1 design constraints were aimed to please to a majority of people, while the Spider didn't have to do so.
@@chucku00 None of which affects the comment in any way.
@@resnonverba137 Absolutely. I was just giving the reasons why the Spider has a more controversial design than the Elise.
I wasn't arguing but if you want to do so then tell me something I don't agree with and I'll give it a go if it's worth it.
Otherwise, sorry if you feel that my two cents on this subject may have appeared confrontational with "the comment".
Nice cars, sound great too. I didn't know they made them in right hand drive. I've never actually seen one.
I’ve always loved these, so want one
That is the end of season 2! Who enjoyed it? You can watch every episode of Future Classics here: ruclips.net/video/Dxnze812JYE/видео.html&pp=gAQBiAQB
Yay! One of my all time favorites!
I heard a rumour the chassis was cribbed from the Lotus Elise but they bonded the chassis components with a different method to Lotus which negatively impacted the handling.
Probably a myth but I remember that one did the rounds at the time.
Both Elise and Spider used a aluminium parts from the same supplier for the chassis: Hydro Aluminium. The Elise is bonded while the Spider is welded, which requieres thicker walls and makes the chassis heavier. The chassis design is quite different but both with extruded alumunium parts. Lotus uses a sort of tub while Renault uses a conventional ladder design. The chassis stiffness is similar. Nowadays bonding is is very common but in the nineties it was quite revolutionary.
This car looks 200 times better than an Elise
Another great video, well done 👏
Why does it weigh so much? My Twingo RS only weighs 100kg more. Just seems a bit heavy to me compared to what it is.Just shows Lotus were the Kings of lightweight design.Elise mk1 725kg this heavyweight 930kg my Twingo RS 1040kg
Becky, I think you really enjoyed driving this car.
Bloke from work won one in a Nescafé competition
Wish it was cheaper. I would totally cop one if it was more affordable. I’m rather poor but I want a supercar. It’s not crazy expensive yet is slightly out of my budget.
There's one car that is both rare and relatively affordable : the Alpine A310. And if you find the 1600 version you'll get Neon Genesis Misato's car.
Its not that expensive compared to other open top trackday cars. They go for 30-60k
Kind of forgot that Alpha Tauri is a fashion label.
Wonderful!
Sign me up!
Perfect world, it would have been left hand drive (US market) otherwise looks like perfect entertainment - I'd even adapt to right hand drive if need be!
Thats a French car, of course LHD was avaliable.
Yellow seat belt and interior is a bit much.
First to like the video goodwood
It's an odd duck for sure.
I looks very very '90s.
Oh Becky ❤️
Big bird?
Designed by a bloke who worked for Playmobile for most of his career.
Both equal opportunities companies that were known for employing blind people.
@@ChapHammersmith well, I do like both.
Interesting car, but it’s aged badly, relative to the S1 Elise that was & remains so much lighter & far cleverer than the Renault. The boss of Renault was livid when he saw the Elise at the Frankfurt show & demanded to know why his engineers hadn’t known about bonding aluminium. All the money at the vast Renault empire, was destroyed by the ingenuity of Lotus. Renault made 1800 Sport Spiders, Lotus built 10,000 S1 Elise’s & in total in excess of 50,000 Elise’s.
Elise fan?
@glennpearson1888
- who isn't?
Great car. Are the other presenters on holiday?
A woman driving a sports car, i like.
I do usually...
??? TF 😂
78,000 lb.
Huh ?
Freeking kidding
That is one ugly car 150hp haha!!
Tell me you are american without telling me you are american: