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The New Formula Renault 2.0 is moving out of its development phase after covering 6000km over seventeen days of testing on nine European circuits. This new single seater, developed and manufactured by Renault Sport Technologies is faster and its basic running costs are 10 percent less than its predecessor.

The car, which is now track ready, is more competitive and its handling is more closely matched to cars from higher formulas. Renault says it is the ideal car for training the F1 drivers of tomorrow. Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton, Haikki Kovalainen, Robert Kubica, Romain Grosjean and Jaime Alguersuari all passed through the ranks of Formula Renault 2.0.

The car, priced at ?57 000 (about R 631 000), benefits from cutting edge minute technical developments that include a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission. The design of the car has been optimized to reduce the number of parts and provide significant economies of scale. Each car is inspected and certified as race-ready prior to delivery.

Formula Renault 2.0 has been conceived to be as economical as possible. With this in mind, significant work has gone into the development of tyres. A set is now able to endure over 200km of track torture. This reduces the number of tyre sets required to 29 from 33 in 2009.

Brake efficiency has also been optimized to boost longevity. A set of disks now has a service-life of 1500km and a set of pads, 600km. This brings costs down by 15 percent, Renault claims. Costs for the 152Kw engine, as fitted to Clio Renault Sport MkII, nearly match those of the current version, with a major service recommended every 5500km.

This car, which takes to the track in 2010 for the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and in all national championships, is aimed at young drivers who are just discovering the workings of a real race car. Renault in a statement said: "The handling of the new car will allow them to understand more easily than ever how it feels to drive a Formula Renault 3.5."