Renault launches most economical 1.6 litre diesel available

Renault is now taking orders for what it is calling the ‘most economical and yet powerful 1.6 litre diesel’ which will initially be available with the Dynamique TomTom versions of Scenic and Grand Scenic models.

Debuted at the Paris Motor Show last autumn, the order books are now open for the new state-of-the-art 1.6 litre 130hp ‘Energy’ diesel engine.  Prices start from £20,900 on the road with the Scenic model.

In the five- and seven-seat versions of the Scénic family, the Energy dCi 130 offers the lowest emissions and best fuel economy and performance of any MPV powered by a similar-sized engine in the UK.

Compared to the former 1.9-litre diesel with the same power, the newcomer boasts CO₂ emissions slashed by more than a fifth, from 149 to 115 grams per kilometre. In the process, its BIK rating drops to only 13 per cent, from 21 per cent, while the savings add up even further with no VED (down to Band C from F, saving £125) in the first year, and £95 in subsequent years. Rounding off the engine’s array of talents, its combined fuel economy is an impressive 64.2 mpg, an increase of a quarter.

The latest powerplant addition builds on the success of the company’s current turbocharged TCe (Turbo Control Efficiency) petrol engine line-up. In recent years this has witnessed the 1.2 TCe 100 replacing the 1.4 16V 98, and the arrival of the 1.4 TCe 130. The Energy range is set to expand even further in the next 18 months, with the arrival of three-cylinder modular petrol engines, as alluded to by the 110hp 900cc engine concept shown in the R-Space Concept in Switzerland just a few weeks ago.

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The headline figures for the new Energy dCi 130 make for impressive reading. In spite of its fuel-sipping economy, powering Scénic it dispatches zero to 62 mph in 10.3 seconds and a top speed of 121 mph. In everyday driving, its torque of 320Nm from 1,750rpm, an increase of 20Nm on the former 1.9-litre diesel with the same power, is also likely to appeal, together with peak power of 130hp at 4,000 rpm.

Packed with advanced fuel saving technology
The 1.6 dCi 130 features a raft of solutions which have given rise to significant CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption savings, among them the use of EGR and Stop&Start technology.

The dCi 130 engine complies with Euro5 emissions legislation and is Euro6 ready. It is covered by 15 Renault patents and is poised to become the core-range powerplant for C-segment models, notably the Mégane family in the future. It will also feature in Renault’s D-segment and van line-ups.

This project was developed within the framework of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which means this engine will consequently power Nissan models too. It is also covered by the strategic cooperation agreement signed by the Alliance and Daimler.

This engine will be manufactured in France at Renault’s Cléon plant which is acclaimed for its production expertise in the field of technologically-advanced diesel engines (notably the V6 dCi, 2.0 dCi and the new 2.3 dCi which powers the Master van).

The new Energy dCi 130 is available to order now on Scénic and Grand Scénic Dynamique TomTom versions, priced £20,900 and £22,200. First deliveries are expected in July 2011.

Author: Faye Sunderland, May 19th, 2011
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