Age Abeille

Age Abeille
Manufacturer	Age
Appearance	Rage Racer Ridge Racer (PSP) Ridge Racer 2 (PSP) Ridge Racer 6 Ridge Racer 7 Ridge Racer Accelerated Pachislot Ridge Racer Ridge Racer Slipstream Ridge Racer Drift Ridge Racer Draw & Drift
Class	3 to 5 (Rage Racer) 2 and 4 (Ridge Racer PSP) 1 and 3 (Ridge Racer 6) 4 to 1 (Ridge Racer 7) 5 (Ridge Racer Accelerated 4 (Ridge Racer Slipstream)
Engine	1.6 liter inline 4 DOHC (Rage Racer, class 3) 1.8 liter inline 4 DOHC (Rage Racer, 4) 1.8 liter inline 4 DOHC turbo (Rage Racer, class 5) 2.0 liter inline 4 turbo (PSP titles) 1.6 liter inline 4 turbo (Ridge Racer 6, class 1) 2.0 liter inline 4 turbo (Ridge Racer 6, class 3)
Drivetrain	MR
Handling type	Standard (PSP onwards)

"Abeille's race image has been changing recently, with its 5-door family package selling very well. According to a survey, the average AGE use is getting older, and AGE themselves have started to shift towards a luxurious, high class brand image. This compact sports machines is slowly changing into a luxurious family car. However, the original 2-door race spec machine is still as fast as ever, and continues to maintain the AGE tradition."

―"Ridge Racer 7"

The Age Abeille is a hot hatch manufactured by Age. In Rage Racer, it resembles a Renault 5 Turbo with headlights resembling those from the Renault Maxi Mégane. In Ridge Racers and onwards, it is based on a mix between the Renault Clio Phase 2 V6 and the Peugeot 206 WRC. Some might consider it a replacement for the Kamata Fortune of Ridge Racer V.

Though considered a family car in standard form (which has never made an appearance in any Ridge Racer game), the version of the Abeille featured in Ridge Racer has had its engine relocated behind the front seats, much like the Renault Clio V6.

It was replaced in Ridge Racer Vita by the Age Elenie, likely due to Renault not making any new mid-engine road car based on their hatchbacks (the Renault Clio V6 was discontinued in 2006), although Renault continued to manufacture the Mégane Trophy for racing purposes until 2013, the final season for the Eurocup Mégane Trophy.

Design and performance

Rage Racer

Rage Racer's iteration of the Abeille features a compact design with mid-engine layout, based on the Renault 5 Turbo overall. The front fascia, however, looks slightly more modern, drawing inspiration from the Renault Mégane I, while the placement and shape of the rear lights are taken from the Suzuki Alto (4th generation).

Power comes courtesy from a selection of engines depending on its class, all of which are mated to a 5-speed transmission. It's the best handling car in Class 3 of Rage Racer.

Grade	Power	Gear	Engine	Top Speed (MT)	Price (eg)
3	99 ps	5	1.6 L inline-4 DOHC	200 km/h	14,500
4	170 ps	5	1.8 L inline-4 DOHC	223 km/h	69,400
5	205 ps	5	1.8 L inline-4 DOHC turbo	242 km/h	329,300

PSP series

For the PSP games, the Abeille is now thoroughly improved, featuring a much more modern look while retaining its mid-engine layout. It now features a turbocharged engine as standard, coupled to a 5-speed (later 6-speed) transmission. Drift type is Standard, offering a sense of balance when driving one.

Ridge Racer 6 and 7

In Ridge Racer 6 and 7, the Abeille undergoes a model change, yet it still retains its turbo engine. Ridge Racer 6's iteration of the Abeille is depicted as a good performer, despite somewhat lacking in inertial drift and Ultimate Charge abilities. Class 1 Abeille is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6 liter engine, while its Class 3 counterpart is powered by a turbocharged 2.0 liter engine.

Ridge Racer 7's iteration of the Abeille excels at top speed and handling department, but its performance is slightly hampered by bad inertial drift, making it difficult to accumulate nitrous. A special Complete Machine variant is available for this car, obtainable by winning the Abeille Duel in Extreme Battle.

Ridge Racer Accelerated

In Ridge Racer Accelerated, the Age Abeille is rated as a Class 5 vehicle. The Abeille has moderately fast acceleration even and has excellent nitrous duration. The Abeille is tailored specifically for higher top speed, handling, and acceleration that can compete with the likes of machines within the same class range.

The Abeille heavily relies on its nitrous performance and otherwise decent statistics to keep up with other machines around the same class. The Abeille's nitrous efficiency helps to compensate for its wide drifting radius and poor tire grip. This isn't to say that

Ridge Racer Slipstream

Ridge Racer Slipstream only includes the Complete Machine variant of the Abeille, and can only be bought with RR points. It's the best performing car in Class 4, featuring the highest top speed (tied with the Danver Bayonet), nimble handling and balanced drifts. This machine costs 60 RR coins.

Trivia

• "Abeille" is French for "bee".
• Although the Age Abeille is a French car, the specs resembles that of a Ford Focus RS (except that the real-life Focus RS has lower rev limit).
• The Abeille in Rage Racer looks very similar to a Renault 5 Turbo.
• Ridge Racer PSP's description for the Abeille states that the car is built around the Prophetie's platform. There is also the fact that it also has a similar engine to the Prophetie (a turbocharged straight-4 engine), sourced by Kamata, albeit with a different sound, and possibly, boosted performance.
• The car's description in Ridge Racer 7 suggests there is a much more luxurious five-door model, which is currently not seen in any Ridge Racer title of the series to date. It also mentions that average Âge buyers are getting older, which is not only a pun on the brand's name, but also even a reference to a marketing trend and stereotype where older people (especially those in a mid-life crisis) would prefer sportier and more luxurious vehicles than ordinary ones, thus giving Âge a perfect opportunity to make their brand image more upscaled.

Gallery

Rage Racer

Class 3 Age Abeille

Class 4 Age Abeille

Class 5 Age Abeille

Ridge Racer (PSP)

Official concept art of the Abeille in Ridge Racer (PSP)

Ridge Racer 6

Ridge Racer Slipstream

Front view

Back view

Cars in Rage Racer
Class 1	Gnade Esperanza
Class 2	Lizard Acceron · Age Erriso
Class 3	Lizard Bayonet · Age Abeille · Assoluto Fatalita
Class 4	Lizard Hijack* · Age Pegase* · Assoluto Istante*
Class 5	Assoluto Ghepardo*
Class 6	Lizard Bulldog* · Age Vainqure · Assoluto Squaldon*
* denotes car only available with manual transmission