The Group Lotus-backed Renault team have revealed the final version of the black and gold livery in which their cars will contest the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. The distinctive colour scheme pays homage to the famous Lotus F1 machines of the 1970s and ‘80s.

Driver Vitaly Petrov and team principal Eric Boullier were on hand at the UK’s Autosport International Show on Thursday to unveil the design, which has been applied to one of last year’s Renault R30s. The livery differs only slightly from that seen in images released by the team late last year.

Renault’s 2011 car, the R31, will make its public debut at Valencia on January 31, the day before the first official test session of the year gets underway at the Spanish circuit.