Renault launches new-generation 1.3L petrol engine

Renault today introduced a new direct injection turbocharged 1.3 petrol engine co-developed by the Alliance and Daimler.

Inaugurated on the Scénic and Grand Scénic, it will be progressively offered in the Renault range beginning in 2018. This new engine offers significant improvement in driving pleasure, with better torque at low rpm and greater and constant availability at high rpm, while reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

“Our new petrol engine embodies all the expertise of Groupe Renault’s engineers, the Alliance and our partner Daimler. It meets the quality standards of both the Alliance and Daimler, with more than 40,000 hours of testing. Compared with the Energy TCe 130, the new Energy TCe 140 delivers 35Nm additional peak torque which is available across a broader rev band, from 1,500rpm to 3,500rpm,” said Philippe Brunet, Alliance Global VP – Powertrain & Electric Vehicles.

This new petrol engine block, coupled with manual gearboxes and EDC dual-clutch automatic transmissions, is available in a variety of power ratings from 115 hp to 160 hp. It incorporates several recent Alliance-developed innovations, including Bore Spray Coating, a cylinder coating technology from the Nissan GT-R engine, which improves efficiency, by reducing friction and optimising heat transfer.

Other technologies enhance driving enjoyment and reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions:  the pressure of the direct fuel injection has been raised by 250 bar and a specific combustion chamber design optimises the fuel/air mix. In addition, ‘Dual Variable Timing Camshaft’ technology controls the intake and exhaust valves according to engine loads. The result is more torque at low revs and more linear torque available linearly at high revs, for significant benefit in terms of driving comfort with better mid-range response.

The Scénic and Grand Scénic are the first Renault models to benefit from this new petrol engine produced at the Renault factory in Valladolid, Spain. The Energy TCe 160 engine offers a maximum torque of 260 Nm in manual gearbox and 270 Nm in EDC gearbox when reaching maximum power. This maximum torque is reached from 1750 rpm and up to 3700 rpm. Orders in France and Europe are now open and deliveries to customers are scheduled for mid-January 2018.