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Renault is to launch its definitive livery ahead of the new Formula 1 season in Melbourne on March 16.

The French manufacturer unveiled what managing director Cyril Abiteboul described as "a show car" on its official return to F1 on February 3 in Paris.

The RS16 was predominantly black with flashes of yellow, and with sponsors' logos in white lettering, and was the livery on display at the two recent pre-season tests at Barcelona's Catalunya circuit.

Autosport understands the design to be revealed next Wednesday will feature a matt gold/yellow for the main body of the car, with the front and rear wings in matt black.

The colour is similar to that used on the Renault RS01 sportscar for its launch (pictured below).

It is believed the matt finish across the entire car means a weight-saving of almost half a kilogram compared to the use of gloss.