Tatuus T-318 Formula Regional (2018–2025)
The Tatuus T-318 is the first-generation FIA Formula Regional single-seater, built from 2018 to 2025. It pairs a halo-equipped carbon tub with a 270 hp turbo engine. It raced in Formula Renault Eurocup, FREC, W Series, Asia, the Middle East and Eurocup-3. Buyers today get a modern, fast car that no major championship accepts for 2026.
History
Tatuus designed the T-318 for the FIA's new Formula Regional tier, a step between Formula 4 and FIA Formula 3 22. The carbon monocoque was homologated to the FIA F3 2018 standard with a halo and an extractable seat 13. The roll hoop and steering column were homologated too 13. The car first ran at Vairano on 14-15 June 2018 with an Autotecnica-prepared Alfa Romeo engine and covered about 700 km without problems 13. Its first customers were the ten teams of the F3 Asian Championship, which started in Malaysia in July 2018 1315.
2019 was the breakout year. Renault chose the chassis to replace its FR2.0 in the Eurocup, pairing it with a 1.8-litre turbo derived from the Mégane R.S. road engine and quoting 270 to 300 hp 9. Max Fewtrell drove chassis number 1 at Vairano in December 2018, and Hankook replaced Michelin as tyre supplier 1216. In that form the car is usually called the FR-19 22. The same year ACI launched the Formula Regional European Championship with 270 PS Alfa Romeo engines 10. W Series also put 20 identical Alfa-engined cars on the grid, all run by Hitech 28.
After 2020 the Eurocup merged into FREC, which became FREC by Alpine from 2021. Both grids already used the same chassis, so the former FREC teams only had to adopt the Renault engine 1020. The Alfa engine lived on in Asia and, from 2023, in the Middle East championship 34. Eurocup-3 adopted a modified EC3 version the same year 18. The first FIA Formula Regional World Cup in Macau, in November 2024, was reserved for the Alfa-engined car 25.
Tatuus revealed the second-generation T-326 in February 2025 and showed it at Monza 421. FREC and the Middle East series switched to it for 2026, while Eurocup-3 moved to the Dallara 326 193418. Tatuus has said the new car answers complaints about the T-318's weight, heavy steering and tight cockpit 23. After seven seasons at the front, the T-318 is now a car for private testing, lesser series and track days 23.
Palmarès
Oscar Piastri won the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup in the FR-19 version with R-ace GP 14. Every FREC champion from 2019 to 2025 drove one: Frederik Vesti, Gianluca Petecof, Grégoire Saucy, Dino Beganovic, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Rafael Câmara and Freddie Slater 10. Jamie Chadwick won all three W Series championships in it, in 2019, 2021 and 2022 28. The Asian champions were Raoul Hyman, Ukyo Sasahara, Joey Alders, Zhou Guanyu and Arthur Leclerc 15. In the Middle East the titles went to Antonelli, Tuukka Taponen and Evan Giltaire 34. Eurocup-3 titles went to Esteban Masson, Christian Ho and Mattia Colnaghi 18. The T-318 was the sole chassis at the first FIA Formula Regional World Cup in Macau in 2024 25.
What to check before you buy
Which engine is fitted, who last rebuilt it and when: Alfa engines go to Autotecnica Motori, Renault engines to Oreca. FRECA teams count engine life in kilometres, so ask for the km log and the rebuild invoice. Is the engine owned or leased, and is it a known good unit: In FRECA engines were bought for about €20,000 each and teams kept the quickest. A tired or slow unit is the main hidden cost in the car. Which bodykit and electronics package the car carries: Eurocup-3 cars have a different front wing, rear wing, sidepods, diffuser, intercooler and battery kit from the standard car. Confirm the car matches the series you plan to run. Halo, roll hoop, extractable seat and crash structures: These are FIA-homologated items on the 2018 F3 standard. Ask for the homologation plates and whether any crash box or nose has been replaced after an accident. Tyre history and setup sheets: The car ran on Pirelli in FRECA, Hankook in the Eurocup, W Series and Eurocup-3, and Giti in Asia. Setups and wear data only transfer if you use the same tyre. Seat fit and steering effort during a test: The cockpit is tight and the steering heavy enough that Tatuus redesigned both on the T-326. Sit in the car with the halo fitted before paying. Where you will race it: For 2026 FREC runs the T-326, FR Middle East the T-326 and Eurocup-3 the Dallara 326. The French Ultimate Cup Series still lists the Renault T-318. Gearbox service record: The Sadev SL-R 82 with Magneti Marelli ESA paddle shift is shared with the T-326, so support continues. Still ask for the last rebuild date and the ratio set.
Versions and evolutions
| Version | Years | What changed | How to identify |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-318 Alfa Romeo (Autotecnica Motori) | 2018-2025 | Original specification. 1,750 cc Alfa Romeo turbo prepared by Autotecnica, 270 PS at 6,000 rpm, 350 Nm. Used in F3 Asian 2018-22, FREC 2019-20, W Series 2019-22, FR Middle East 2023-25 and the Macau World Cup 2024. 27 | Autotecnica (ATM) engine with Alfa Romeo branding; Giti tyres in Asia, Hankook in W Series, Pirelli in the Middle East by 2025. |
| FR-19 / Renault-Oreca engine | 2019-2025 | Same chassis with a 1.8-litre Renault turbo derived from the Mégane R.S., prepared by Oreca, 270 hp. Used in Formula Renault Eurocup 2019-20, FREC by Alpine 2021-25 and the French Ultimate Cup Series. 9 | Renault or Alpine engine cover branding; Oreca engine numbers; Hankook tyres in the Eurocup, Pirelli in FRECA. |
| T-318-EC3 (Eurocup-3) | 2023-2025 | Tuned Alfa engine with push-to-pass worth 25 hp, new intercooler and battery kit, new sidepods, front wing, F1-style rear wing and revised diffuser. About 25 kg lighter than the standard car. Hankook tyres on 13-inch wheels. 6 | Distinct EC3 bodykit with the swept rear wing and different sidepods; push-to-pass button on the wheel. |
Known issues
- Engine-to-engine performance spread on the Oreca-prepared Renault units — Teams report that two sealed engines of the same spec can differ in pace. The only remedy they describe is buying more engines and keeping the best. A driver may register three engines a year in FRECA. about €20,000 per engine (FRECA, 2024) 29
- Heavy steering and high physical load — Drivers complained about steering effort; Tatuus changed the suspension geometry on the T-326 specifically to cure it. Expect a tiring car for a non-professional driver without power steering. 23
- Tight cockpit for taller or broader drivers — The chassis is 1,850 mm wide; Tatuus widened the T-326 by 20 mm to make the cockpit less cramped. Check seat fit and halo clearance before buying. 23
- Weight — At 665 kg with driver the T-318 is heavier than the older F3 cars because of the halo and 2018 safety structures. Drivers and teams criticised it for this. Lap times and tyre wear reflect this. not applicable 31
- Three engine families and three bodykits mean parts and ECU maps are not interchangeable — Alfa-Autotecnica, Renault-Oreca and EC3-kit cars differ in intercooler, battery kit, bodywork and electronics. A car built for one series may need a new kit to run in another. 18
- Sealed engines serviced only by the appointed builder — Alfa units are rebuilt by Autotecnica Motori in Casalmaggiore, Renault units by Oreca. A private owner depends on those two shops for rebuilds and spares. 30
- No frontline championship from 2026 — FREC and FR Middle East moved to the T-326 and Eurocup-3 to the Dallara 326. Entries and resale demand for the T-318 now depend on lesser series and private use. not applicable 19
Checklist before you buy
- Which engine is fitted, who last rebuilt it and when — Alfa engines go to Autotecnica Motori, Renault engines to Oreca. FRECA teams count engine life in kilometres, so ask for the km log and the rebuild invoice. 30
- Is the engine owned or leased, and is it a known good unit — In FRECA engines were bought for about €20,000 each and teams kept the quickest. A tired or slow unit is the main hidden cost in the car. 29
- Which bodykit and electronics package the car carries — Eurocup-3 cars have a different front wing, rear wing, sidepods, diffuser, intercooler and battery kit from the standard car. Confirm the car matches the series you plan to run. 6
- Halo, roll hoop, extractable seat and crash structures — These are FIA-homologated items on the 2018 F3 standard. Ask for the homologation plates and whether any crash box or nose has been replaced after an accident. 13
- Tyre history and setup sheets — The car ran on Pirelli in FRECA, Hankook in the Eurocup, W Series and Eurocup-3, and Giti in Asia. Setups and wear data only transfer if you use the same tyre. 1
- Seat fit and steering effort during a test — The cockpit is tight and the steering heavy enough that Tatuus redesigned both on the T-326. Sit in the car with the halo fitted before paying. 23
- Where you will race it — For 2026 FREC runs the T-326, FR Middle East the T-326 and Eurocup-3 the Dallara 326. The French Ultimate Cup Series still lists the Renault T-318. 22
- Gearbox service record — The Sadev SL-R 82 with Magneti Marelli ESA paddle shift is shared with the T-326, so support continues. Still ask for the last rebuild date and the ratio set. 26
Running costs 29
| Rebuild interval | Not published. FRECA teams log engine life in kilometres and may register three engines per driver per season. |
|---|---|
| Typical rebuild cost | Engine purchase about €20,000 per unit in FRECA (2024); rebuild prices not published. |
| Consumables | 13-inch Pirelli, Hankook or Giti tyres depending on series; Brembo pads and discs; carbon crash boxes after accidents. |
| Spares availability | Good: Tatuus still supports the car, Autotecnica Motori is part of the Tatuus group, and the Sadev SL-R 82 gearbox continues on the T-326. Ex-team spares packages are reaching the market as championships move to new cars. |
Where it races today
- FIA Formula Regional European Championship · Formula Regional — Eligible 2019-2025 (Alfa engine 2019-20, Renault 2021-25). From 2026 the series uses only the Tatuus T-326, so the T-318 is no longer accepted. 19
- Formula Regional Middle East Championship (ex F3 Asian) · Formula Regional — Eligible 2018-2025 with the Alfa engine. From 2026 the series runs the T-326 with the ATM-Toyota three-cylinder. 34
- Eurocup-3 · Formula Regional (EC3 kit) — Eligible 2023-2025 in T-318-EC3 form. From 2026 the series uses the Dallara 326. 18
- Ultimate Cup Series (France), single-seater challenge · F3R — Lists the Renault-engined T-318 from 2020 onward. 22
- FIA Formula Regional World Cup, Macau · Formula Regional — The 2024 event was reserved for the T-318 with the Autotecnica-built Alfa Romeo engine. Later editions not confirmed. 25
Market prices
- 2019 Tatuus F3 T-318, Renault 1.8 turbo (seller quotes 286 hp), spare rims and spares package, no crash damage, Wels, Austria. Asking price; advert since archived.: 84,900 EUR (2026-02) 5
- 2019 Tatuus F3R T-318, Alfa 1.75 turbo or Alpine 1.8 turbo engine, revised gearbox, Puy-de-Dôme, France; private asking price: 73,000 EUR (2026-07) 17
- racingcarnetwork.com: no T-318 listed. The two Tatuus listings were a Tatuus F3000 at USD 49,900 and a pair of 1998 Formula cars at USD 29,000.: no T-318 listing USD (2026-11) 33
In 2026 the asking prices seen for 2019 cars sit at €73,000-85,000. In November 2022 two Renault-engined 2019 cars in Malaysia were asked at RM350,000 each, roughly €75,000 at the time 11. FREC, the Middle East series and Eurocup-3 all run new chassis for 2026, so ex-team cars and spares packages are reaching the market. Prices are more likely to soften than rise.
Reference prices are dated and sourced; live asking prices are in the listings above.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FR-19 the same car as the T-318?
Yes. FR-19 is the name Renault used for the T-318 with its 1.8-litre Oreca-prepared turbo in the Eurocup from 2019. The chassis, halo, Sadev gearbox and bodywork are the same as the Alfa-engined car used in FREC, W Series and Asia. Only the engine, electronics and some cooling parts differ.
Which engine should I look for, Alfa Romeo or Renault?
Both give about 270 hp. The Alfa unit comes from the 4C road engine and is serviced by Autotecnica Motori, part of the Tatuus group. The Renault unit is serviced by Oreca and was the FRECA engine from 2021 to 2025. Choose by where you want to race and which builder is closer to you.
Can I still race a T-318 in a championship in 2026?
Not at the top level. FREC and the Middle East championship moved to the Tatuus T-326 and Eurocup-3 to the Dallara 326 for 2026. The French Ultimate Cup Series lists the Renault-engined car. Otherwise the T-318 is a test, track-day or club-level car, so check your national series rules first.
How physical is the car to drive?
Demanding. There is no power steering and the car weighs 665 kg with driver. Tatuus admitted drivers complained about steering effort and a cramped cockpit, and redesigned both on the T-326. Fit a driver who is used to Formula 4 or faster, and budget for fitness as well as fuel.
What does an engine cost?
FRECA teams were paying about €20,000 per Oreca-prepared Renault engine in 2024 and could register three per driver per season. Rebuild prices for either engine are not published. Ask the seller for the engine's kilometre log and the last rebuild invoice before agreeing a price.
How does the T-318 differ from the T-421 and the T-326?
The T-421 is Tatuus's second-generation Formula 4 car from 2022, a smaller and less powerful car. The T-326 is the 2025 second-generation Formula Regional car that replaces the T-318. It is wider and lighter, with 15-inch wheels, new suspension geometry and a 1.6-litre three-cylinder Toyota-based engine.
Sources
- Tatuus F.3 T-318 machine page, FRMEC 2025, Honda Racing (2025) — dimensions, suspension, OZ wheels, Pirelli tyre sizes, Autotecnica/Alfa 1,750 cc 270 PS at 6,000 rpm, Sadev SL-R 82
- Tatuus T-318 machine page, FRECA 2025, Honda Racing (2025) — FRECA 2025 use of the T-318, Pirelli tyres, gearbox
- Evolution, Tatuus (2025) — T-318 introduced 2018 as first-generation Formula Regional; T-421 is the 2022 F4 car; T-326 2025
- Tatuus reveals second-generation Formula Regional chassis, Formula Scout (2025-02) — T-326 reveal date, FRME first to switch for 2026, T-318 used since 2018 in FRME, FREC and Eurocup-3
- Tatuus F3 T-318 Regionale, 2019, for sale, GoToTheGrid (2026-02) — asking price €84,900, Renault 1.8 turbo, Sadev, Wels, Austria, archived advert
- New Eurocup-3 series reveals the look of its FRegional-based car, Formula Scout (2022-12) — EC3 bodykit, intercooler, battery kit, push-to-pass 25 hp, 25 kg lighter, Hankook, 13-inch wheels
- Tatuus F3 T-318, Wikipedia (2026) — wheelbase 2,750 mm, track, Brembo four-piston brakes, 665 kg, engine variants, Commons image names
- File:FREC 2022 Spielberg Nr. 3 (1).jpg, Wikimedia Commons (2022-09) — image, author Lukas Raich, CC BY-SA 4.0
- A new era for the Formula Renault Eurocup, Renault Sport Racing / cliocup.fr (2018-10) — Tatuus F.3 T-318 chosen for 2019 Eurocup, 1.8 turbo from Mégane R.S., 270-300 hp, halo, anti-intrusion panels, about 30 cars expected
- Formula Regional European Championship, Wikipedia (2026) — 2019 start, Alfa 270 PS 2019-20, Renault from 2021 after Eurocup merger, champions 2019-2025
- Time to live out your racing dreams because 2 F3 race cars are up for sale for RM350k each, SAYS (2022-11) — RM350,000 asking price for two 2019 Renault-engined T-318s in Malaysia (price only; the article's engine and weight figures are wrong)
- New Formula Renault Eurocup car gets first public running with Fewtrell, Formula Scout (2018-12) — chassis number 1, Vairano, 250 km, Hankook replaced Michelin, 270 bhp 1.8 turbo
- Successful Shakedown for New Tatuus F.3 T-318, Top Speed (F3 Asian Championship promoter) (2018-06) — shakedown 14-15 June 2018 at Vairano, 700 km, FIA F3 2018 homologation, halo, extractable seat, Sabelt harness, Magneti Marelli electronics, Sadev, OZ wheels, Giti tyres, ten teams, July 2018 start
- 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup, Wikipedia (2026) — Piastri and R-ace GP champions, first round Monza 13 April 2019, Hankook
- Formula Regional Asian Championship, Wikipedia (2026) — 2018 inaugural season, Top Speed, Autotecnica 270 hp, Giti, champions 2018-2022, renamed December 2021
- Renault begins testing regional F3-spec car, Autosport (2018-12) — Fewtrell test, 1.8 turbo from the Mégane, 270 bhp, halo and anti-intrusion panels
- F3R - Tatuus T318, 2019, Mikado Racing (2026-07) — asking price €73,000, Alfa 1.75 or Alpine 1.8 engine, revised gearbox, Puy-de-Dôme
- Eurocup-3, Wikipedia (2026) — T-318-EC3 2023-25, push-to-pass, Hankook, €400,000 team budget cap, Dallara 326 from 2026, champions
- All-new FIA Formula Regional European Championship is go, FIA (2026-04) — 2026 series runs the T-326 with ATM163T engine and Pirelli, organised by ACI, replaces FRECA
- Preview: all you need to know about Formula Regional Europe, Formula Scout (2021-04) — 2021 switch from Alfa Romeo to Renault power, both Eurocup and FREC had used the T-318
- T-326, Tatuus (2025) — T-326 as evolution of the T-318, ATM163T engine, lighter, new crash boxes
- Formula Regional, Wikipedia (2026) — table of championships, chassis and engines; FR-19 name; Ultimate Cup Series France 2020-present with Renault T-318; 270 bhp positioning between F4 and FIA F3
- The biggest changes on Tatuus' new second-generation FRegional car, explained, Feeder Series (2025-11) — T-318 criticised for weight, steering effort complaints, width 1.85 m vs 1.87 m, 13-inch rims, seven years of use
- How an Italian manufacturer is at the heart of the flourishing middle ground of single-seater racing, Autosport (2025-11) — Autotecnica Motori link, Eurocup-3 switching to Dallara 326, T-326 debut in Middle East January 2026
- FIA confirms spec chassis and engine for FRegional World Cup in Macau, Formula Scout (2024-06) — Macau 2024 reserved for T-318 with Autotecnica-built Alfa Romeo engine
- Tatuus T-326 machine page, FRMEC, Honda Racing (2026) — T-326 keeps the Sadev SL-R 82, 15-inch OZ wheels, 290 hp ATM163T
- Formula Regional Middle East Championship, PHM Racing (2023) — Alfa 1750 TBi 270 HP, 350 Nm at 4,500 rpm, Sadev SL-R 82 with Magneti Marelli ESA paddle shift, 665 kg with driver, wheelbase 2.750 m, OZ 10x13 and 12x13
- W Series (championship), Wikipedia (2026) — seasons 2019, 2021, 2022; 20 cars run by Hitech in 2019; Hankook; Chadwick three titles; series folded October 2022
- FRECA testing review: Are Prema and R-ace GP still the teams to beat?, Feeder Series (2024-04) — engine-to-engine differences on Oreca units, about €20,000 per engine, three engines per driver per year
- Come nasce un motore corsa, Al Volante (2025) — Alfa 1750 turbo from the 4C, prepared by Autotecnica Motori in Casalmaggiore, part of the Tatuus group
- Tatuus iMagazine 2019 no. 1, Italiaracing / Tatuus (2019) — T-318 heavier than old F3 cars because of halo and safety standards; had a season behind it before FREC launched
- File:Tatuus T-318 W Series.jpg, Wikimedia Commons (2022-06) — alternative image, author Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Search results for 'tatuus', Racing Car Network (2026-11) — no T-318 listed on RCN; other Tatuus listings and prices
- Formula Regional Middle East Championship, Wikipedia (2026) — 2023 start as renamed Asian series, T-326 with ATM-Toyota 1.6 three-cylinder from 2026, champions 2023-2026
Did you know
- The first T-318 ran at Vairano on 14-15 June 2018 and covered about 700 km in two days 13.
- Chassis number 1 of the Renault version was driven by 2018 Eurocup champion Max Fewtrell at Vairano in December 2018, for 250 km 12.
- The Alfa Romeo engine is a race version of the 1,750 cc turbo from the Alfa Romeo 4C, built by Autotecnica Motori near Cremona 30.
- Jamie Chadwick won every W Series title ever awarded in a T-318, in 2019, 2021 and 2022 28.
In the marketplace now
View all →No exact Tatuus T-318 Formula Regional (2018–2025) listed right now — here is closely related machinery on the market.
Osella Pa2000 Evo Honda Mugen 330hp
Formula Ghipard 1000 Suzuki K5
Formula 1 Shadow DN12 Cosworth DFV ex David kennedy
1:1 Scale Ferrari SF Display Model
1:1 Scale McLaren MP4/4 Display Model
Formula Renault Racing Car
F1 BMW SAUBER WORKS SHOWCAR
