The exhaust exit can be seen behind the bargeboard in this picture - Photo © Renault/LAT

Aside from having the best livery of cars revealed so far, Lotus Renault GP have a clever exhaust system which is getting the F1 technical geeks rather excited; the Front Exit Exhaust (FEE).

Last year the teams ran with a ‘blown diffuser’, whereby the exhaust gases were blown over the top of the rear diffuser, and thus increasing downforce. However, for the 2011 season this concept has been banned, but Renault appear to have found a clever way around it.

The exhaust gas flow around the R31 - Photo © Renault/LAT

Their exhaust pipes are routed forwards from the engine and make a sharp turn, exiting behind the bargeboards, facing the backwards of the car. The exhaust gases are then partly directed under the car and around the sidepod, thereby sucking the car to the ground, increasing downforce.

What’s more, the gases directed around the sidepod will end up going over the rear diffuser, creating a ‘blown diffuser’ type effect, and increasing the downforce.

With McLaren also set to use this system according to Auto Motor und Sport, the Front Exit Exhaust looks like the system to have in 2011.