GENEVA - Renault launches new Twingo, a revolution for the citycar class.

1. RENAULT REINVENTS TWINGO - THINKING BIG WHEN IT COMES TO ITS SMALL CARS
2. NUMBER ONE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE SALES IN EUROPE
3. RENAULT RISES TO THE CHALLENGE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN 2014 

Renault has taken a fresh, bold look at Twingo. Twenty years after the introduction of the original, Renault is proud to take the wraps off the third generation of its small city car which has undergone an in-depth transformation. In addition to its cheerful expression, New Twingo is available in a choice of four body colours and is packed with innovations. Extensive personalisation opportunities are naturally part of the programme.

Thanks to the positioning of the engine at the rear:

• New Twingo is agile and boasts a turning circle of 8.65m, which is an average one metre less than that of its direct rivals.
• New Twingo is particularly roomy thanks to the 13cm that have added to its cabin length, even though the newcomer’s overall length has been shortened by 10cm.
• New Twingo is practical, thanks to its five-door architecture, clever stowage solutions, totally flat floor and asurprisingly long maximum load length of 2.20m. It is the only city car capable of carrying a boxed Swedish book shelf...
• New Twingo’s best-in-class forward vertical field of view and high-up driving position are particularly appreciable when driving in built-up areas.

The boot conceals either a normally-aspirated or a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. Both powerplants are fuel efficient and deliver punchy performance.

New Twingo is connected and is the only city car to offer a choice of two multimedia systems: the R & GOradio (in conjunction with a smartphone) and R-Link Evolution®.

Inspired by the legacies of the innovative Renault 5 Turbo and the original Twingo, New Twingo good humouredly illustrates Renault’s small car expertise.

In addition to the unveiling of New Twingo, Renault has chosen the 2014 Geneva Motor Show to present other new developments in its small car range.  On display for the first time are:

• Renault’s new Flexi Charger, a cable which allows ZOE owners to plug their electric vehicle into an ordinary household power socket. Renault has also introduced a new Z.E. Access battery lease planwithprices starting from £45 per month for low-mileage motorists.
• The new Energy dCi 160 Twin Turbo is a showpiece of downsizing and twin turbocharging. This 1,598cc Diesel engine delivers the driving enjoyment of a two-litre powerplant, but with fuel consumption reduced by 25%. The fuel efficiency of the Energy dCi 160 Twin Turbo makes it ideal for larger vehicles. It will notably be available for the brand’s upcoming D- and E-segment models.

1. NEW TWINGO: FUN TO DRIVE, ULTRA-MANOEUVRABLE AND SPACIOUS

Colourful and vibrant… the Twingo spirit is back!

True to the spirit of its predecessors, not only is New Renault Twingo colourful and fun to drive, but it also combines a dynamic stance with a particularly endearing expression. The four body colours revealed at the Geneva Motor Show echo those that were available for the first-generation version, while New Twingo’s personalisation programme will also enable owners to express a wide range of personalities, from sporty or ‘vintage’, to chic or fun. Colour is everywhere inside the cabin too, even down to the numerous storage areas.

“New Renault Twingo was inspired not only by the original Twingo but also by the Renault 5. It is a modern take on the city car theme with the accent on innovation in terms of its lines and architecture. New Twingo is a fun, playful and vibrant city car. It is ultra-manoeuvrable, roomy and immensely practical. You’ll be itching to get behind the wheel and take it out for a drive.”
Laurens van den Acker, Head of Industrial Design, Renault

Playful, energetic styling

Like its forebear, New Twingo comes in a choice of four vibrant ‘pop’ colours (powder blue, white, yellow and red), an unmistakable sign that the Twingo spirit is well and truly back! 

New Twingo fits with Renault’s new design strategy and represents the ‘Play’ petal of the brand’s lifecycle-based plan, building on ideas previously explored by the Twin’Z and Twin’Run concept cars which were presented in the first quarter of 2013.

New Twingo’s highly original architecture ensures exceptionally agile handling, along with a cheery expression, a unique profile thanks to its short bonnet and a roomy passenger compartment.

At the same time, it features compact proportions and measures just 3.59 metres from bumper to bumper. Yet thanks to its short front and rear overhangs and the positioning of the wheels at the car’s extreme corners, its wheelbase is 2.49 metres – a record for the class and a pointer to its spacious interior.

“New Twingo’s layout, and in particular the positioning of the engine at the rear, has resulted in original, interesting proportions. The challenge for the designers was to come up with nicely balanced forms that are perceived as compact yet suggest a roomy cabin. The very short nose and the positioning of the wheels play contribute significantly to this impression.”

Kenneth Melville, Small Car Design Director (Twingo, Clio, Captur)

Expressive styling

New Twingo’s font end features the brand’s trademark styling cues, including a prominent Renault logo set to a black background. The new city car’s distinctive personality is emphasised by its ribbed bonnet and big headlights topped by direction indicators shaped like eyelids. New Twingo’s assertive expression is further enhanced by circular daytime running lights marked out by four points of light. A broad air inlet set into the lower portion of the bumper provides the finishing touch to New Twingo’s expressive face.

“We wanted to ensure that New Twingo was instantly recognisable, both day and night.”
Raphaël Linari, Lead Exterior Designer, Renault Twingo

The shoulder line stretches the full length of the sides, from the front indicators to the tail. This signature feature line, which is more prominent where it passes over the wheel arches, especially at the rear, plays an important part in the solid, robust feel that New Twingo exudes.

The handles for the rear doors are concealed, giving the impression of a three-door car, yet New Twingo – for the first time in the model’s history – has five doors.

Depending on version, the car’s proportions are highlighted by decal graphics which emphasise its dynamic yet robust silhouette.

Flush-fitting rear lights follow the profile of New Twingo’s shoulders and appear to form an integral part of the broad glass hatchback which characterises the rear of the car.

“We were heavily inspired by the unique legacy of the Renault 5 and the original Twingo. Thanks to their unique personalities and enchanting expressions, these two models influenced our approach to the design of our new city car which is nonetheless solidly grounded in today’s thinking.” Kenneth Melville, Small Car Design Director (Twingo, Clio, Captur)

New Twingo: roomy, practical and ultra-manoeuvrable

Thanks to the bold decision to locate the engine at the rear, New Twingo is able to offer far greater agility and a bigger cabin than would be expected from a car with an overall length of just 3.59 metres.

Agile handling is the foremost benefit of this architecture. The positioning of the engine at the rear gave the designers more freedom to work on the front end. New Twingo’s turning circle of 8.65 m helps it to turn easily in cramped spaces. Indeed, compared with its competitors, it needs a metre less space to perform a U-turn.

A commanding driving position

Ease of access, the sensation of cabin space and all-round visibility all benefit from New Twingo’s high-up driving position. Indeed, thanks to its short bonnet and large windscreen, New Twingo offers best-in-class visibility, with a forward vertical field of view of 12 degrees.

EXTRA SPACE FOR OCCUPANTS

Although New Twingo is 10cm shorter than its predecessor, the distance from the dashboard to the tailgate is 22cm longer. The shorter bonnet frees up space at the front to provide extra space for occupants.

The 2.49m wheelbase (an increase of 13cm) ensures generous cabin space both front and rear – especially when it comes to knee room, which is best in class at 13cm.

Feel the length: the only city car capable of carrying a 2.2-metre load – with an adult sat at the back!

New Twingo’s flat floor, 50/50-split folding rear seat (which houses additional stowage opportunities) and forward-tipping front passenger seat back ensure a highly modular interior which adapts easily to the user’s needs of the moment. 

With the engine tucked underneath it, the boot (219 dm³) is particularly practical thanks to its rectangular floor and the fact that the wheel arches do not intrude on the available space. The flat sill is at the ideal height for loading, while the 50/50-split rear seat bench folds easily to reveal a flat boot floor of 1.35 m in length. The front passenger seat back also folds forward to enable New Twingo to carry loads of up to 2.20 metres in length. That’s 22cm longer than the outgoing Twingo and quite a feat for a car that is only 3.59 metres long!

“We had been thinking about a rear-engined architecture for some time. It takes courage and creativity on the part of the design teams to completely rethink how a car’s volumes can be used. New Twingo is particularly innovative and is notable for several attributes that are vital for a city car, namely manoeuvrability, visibility and space for passengers.”
Christian Steyer, Chief Engineer, New Twingo

INSTALLING THE ENGINE AT THE REAR: AN INNOVATION MADE POSSIBLE BY THE EXPERTISE OF RENAULT’S ENGINE SPECIALISTS

The choice of a rear-engined architecture for New Twingo brings a rich variety of benefits. The crucial step forward was finding a way to fit a modern engine into such a small space. This entailed an innovative re-think of the engine configuration so that it could be angled at 49 degrees in order to reduce its overall height and thereby free up space for a spacious boot.

New Twingo is available with two of Renault’s latest-generation engines:

• The brand new SCe 70, a normally-aspirated derivative of the TCe range. The responsive performance of this 70hp and 91Nm, normally-aspirated 999cc petrol engine makes it ideal for motoring in built-up areas, especially since torque is available from very low engine speeds. Inexpensive to buy and run, this latest-generation powerplant will be available with or without Stop&Start, depending on market.
• The Energy TCe 90: dynamic and fun to drive. Not only is this 898cc turbocharged petrol powerplant responsive at low engine speeds but it also delivers refined performance thanks to a power output of 90hp and peak torque of 135Nm. It was redesigned specially for New Twingo and the turbo is equipped with an electric waste gate to provide the optimal balance between performance and fuel consumption. The Energy TCe 90 engine incorporates Stop&Start as standard and complies with Euro 6 emission legislation.

A fun-loving, energising and connected interioR

“Our mission was to create a cheery cabin that was fun to be in, with a host of opportunities for personalisation – right down to the different stowage solutions. The idea was to reimagine the iconic interior of the original Twingo. The driving position is enticingly sporty and we gave it a cockpit-like feel that makes you want to climb in and take it out for a drive.”

Laurent Negroni, Interior Designer, Renault Twingo

The passenger compartment has generous glazed areas, along with a high-up driving position and a large windscreen providing a record forward visibility (vertical field of view: 12 degrees). The driving position is sporty and fun, with a dynamic feel, too, to the steering wheel and instrument hood (referencing the PLAY petal of Renault’s design strategy).

The dashboard features uncluttered forms, with all the instruments housed in a console surrounded by a broad white gloss trim. The instruments themselves include a large speedometer located in the driver’s line of sight, plus a centrally-positioned display with a surround that matches that of the instruments and available in blue, white, black or red.

The seats have integrated head restraints and employ simple graphics – coloured piping in red, blue or grey – to highlight their shape and the continuity between the cushion and the backrest.

A cheerful, colourful interiour

The interior trim plays on a contrast between black and white. The cabin is essentially black, but the instrument panel surround, steering wheel inserts, air vents and door panels are picked out in white, echoing one another to create a vibrant ambience.

New Twingo gives buyers the choice of three different themes for the seat fabric and armrests: blue, grey or red, with flecks of colour.

Also available is a sportier trim which features a black ambience combined with red highlights and mixed fabric upholstery.

Two connectivity solutions: R & GO^® for use with a smartphone, or the latest generation R-Link

The R & GO^® application is a free download for New Twingo owners and enables smartphones to linkautomatically to the vehicle’s radio. Drivers are presented with a menu of clear icons provide access to four user-friendly, intuitive functions:

1. 3D Navigation (Copilot^® Premium),
2. Telephone (numbers, Bluetooth^®, etc.),
3. Media (internet radio, display of artist’s name and track title),
4. Trip computer (Renault eco-driving eco², additional information to that provided by the dashboard instruments, e-guide).

The R & GO^® radio is supplied with a universal mounting to allow a smartphone to be mounted on the dashboard at eye level.

The R & GO^® application is compatible with the Android and iOS operating systems and also functions with a tablet.

Also available for the model is the latest version of the in-dash R-Link multimedia system: R-Link Evolution. This system features a capacitative display (giving zooming and scrolling capability) and DAB digital radio (depending on market).

A Twingo for all tastes: exterior and interior personalisations

“New Twingo’s interior features several distinct zones that are ideal for multiple personalisation permutations. New Twingo is designed to rekindle the ‘voitures à vivre’ spirit that has long been championed by the brand and which continues to underpin the work of Renault’s designers. The spirit of the original Twingo was a major inspiration for us when it came to colours and materials, and we have built on our experience with Clio and Captur to develop an ambitious personalisation programme.”
Kenneth Melville, Small Car Design Director (Twingo, Clio, Captur)

Thanks to a wide choice of colours, graphics and interior themes, New Twingo can be ordered to match the owners’ individual tastes, from sporty to ‘zen’, chic or fun, with graphics inspired by the Renault 5.

This personalisation programme enables customers to customise their New Twingo with co-ordinated exterior and interior decor elements colour-keyed to the exterior bodywork:

• Exterior decor elements: door mirror housings, grille trim, side protective mouldings.
• Interior decor elements: instrument housing surround, air vents, steering wheel inserts.

New Renault Twingo can also be personalised with 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels.

Renault’s latest city car can be ordered with a large electric fabric sunroof for al fresco motoring.

“Our intention was to rekindle the colourful, fun-loving spirit that the original Twingo brought when it was launched in 1993. At the same time, we wanted to show how the world of small Renaults has moved on.”Nathalie Granger, Designer, Colour and Materials

Personalisable storage solutions

Thanks to an innovative concept known as Flexicase®, New Twingo can be equipped with a range of special stowage features depending on the different types of use to which it is to be put, from nets underneath the rear seat and rear door bins complete with bag hooks, to a console between the front seats and a removable bin at the bottom of the centre console. Together, these solutions provide an additional storage capacity of 52 litres.

Renault’s small-car success story continues…..

Renault’s secret when creating great small cars has always been to have the courage to deliver in-depth innovations, versatility and appointments associated with models in the next segment up.

New Twingo takes a fresh approach to the small car in keeping with the spirit that inspired the bold styling, innovations and cheeriness of the Renault 5 in 1971 and the original Twingo in 1993.

“Today, it is New Twingo’s turn to contribute to the renewal of Renault’s small-car range. This revitalisation process is founded on warm, sensuous styling, innovations that are practical in everyday use, versatility and quality performance, especially in terms of fuel consumption and refinement. The ingredients of this recipe are emotion, rigorous engineering and originality, and that is what appeals to customers – as the remarkable sales results for Clio and Captur clearly demonstrate.”Ali Kassaï, Vice President, Small Car Programmes

Renault’s new models bring the emotion back to motoring

The success of Clio, Captur and ZOE shows that customers are drawn to Renault’s new styling identity and the products that embody it. Renault’s small cars have won numerous design awards and media accolades, proof that emotion is well and truly back on the agenda at Renault.

Renault’s small-car expertise runs in its blood and is founded on:

• Ongoing improvements to existing products: for example, Renault reduced the fuel consumption of the current Twingo by almost 25 percent between 2007 and 2012 thanks to ongoing work on its engines and aerodynamics.
• Rewriting the rulebook: Renault boasts a long and proud history of innovation and has never shirked from introducing revolutionary vehicles based on advanced ideas that have gone on to become the norm a few years down the line. Examples include the Renault 5 in 1972 and Twingo in 1993.

This bold approach is widely acclaimed and clearly appreciated, since Renault is the European market leader for small versatile cars (B-segment passenger cars) with a market share of almost 11% in 2013.

338,370 Renault Clios (latest generation) were sold worldwide in the 12 months of 2013.

A year and a half after its launch, Renault Clio is:

• Europe’s second best-selling B-segment model (passenger cars and LCVs),
• Europe’s third best-selling model all segments combined, with 274,741 units sold for a market share of 2%.

93,841 Renault Capturs were sold worldwide in 2013.

The most recent registration data for the last few months shows Captur heading for European market leadership, ahead of the 2008 and Juke.

RENAULT AND DAIMLER: A PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP FOR AN AMBITIOUS RENEWAL PROGRAMME

In 2008, Renault’s engineers and designers started from a clean sheet of paper as they set out to create the next-generation Twingo. It was a challenging mission but they set their sights high, in keeping with the philosophy behind the iconic original which symbolised both Renault’s spirit of creativity and its ability to come up with game-changing concepts. Despite the newcomer’s smaller footprint, the aim was to produce an even roomier and more agile city car than the current Twingo, and this is how the idea of switching to a rear-mounted engine took form. The cost of development was initially deemed to be too high, but Renault’s thoughts found an echo in those of Daimler which was also in the process of exploring ideas for the next-generation two- and four-seat versions of the Smart. In April 2010, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed by the two firms, marking the official green light for a joint development programme which promised a wealth of synergies.

“By sharing the costs with Daimler, we were able to design New Twingo with a rear-engined architecture – a breakthrough in its segment.”

Carsten Krapf, Deputy Vice-President, Small Car Programmes

New Twingo – technical data in brief

Dimensions :

Length: 3.59 m

Width: 1.64 m

Height: 1.55 m

Forward vertical field of view: 12.1 degrees

Turning circle: 8.65 m

Wheelbase: 2.49 m

Rear knee room: 13.6 cm

Maximum load length: 2.20 m

Boot capacity: 219 litres

Stowage capacity: 52 litres

Engines :

SCe 70: 3 cylinders, petrol, 999cc, normally aspirated, 70 hp, 91 Nm

TCe 90: 3 cylinders, petrol, 898cc, turbo, 90 hp, 135 Nm

2. RENAULT – NUMBER ONE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE SALES IN EUROPE

"Now that many automakers are embarking on electric vehicle programmes, Renault offers a full range of electric cars. With a market share of 37% in Europe, Renault is leading the field in this promising technology for the future of the automotive industry. Sales are increasing worldwide and have even got off to a stronger start than hybrid vehicles did when they were launched in Europe.”
Philippe Klein, Executive Vice President, Product Planning & Programmes

ZOE offers charging ON a domestic plug

At the end of the first quarter of 2014, Renault will start marketing the EVSE cable for occasional use, which extends ZOE’s charging options by enabling the vehicle to be charged from a standard household power socket. Initially scheduled for launch in France (March 4), Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg, the Flexi Charger will gradually become available across the rest of Europe in the course of 2014.

The EVSE cable for occasional use: a new way of charging ZOE

It can be used to plug ZOE into a standard 230-volt household power socket for top-up charging¹. “Imagine you’re having dinner at some friends’ house and you’re worried you won’t have enough charge to get you home. It will give you a range of about 18 miles if you plug it into a standard 230-volt socket for three hours,” says Aurélien Subsol, ZOE product manager.

The EVSE cable for occasional use will also be available as an accessory for current ZOE owners.

¹Proper functioning of the EVSE cable for occasional use is only guaranteed if the electrical installation is of a high quality and compliant with standards.

Z.E. Access – a battery lease plan for £45 per month for low-mileage owners

In January 2014, Renault rolled out a battery lease plan designed for ZOE customers who drive around 3,000 miles a year. Available in all the countries where ZOE is marketed and reserved for retail customers buying a new ZOE, the plan is priced from £45 a month with a minimum contract term of 36 months. Mileage is restricted to 750 miles per quarter, which is equivalent to an average daily home-work commute of 12 miles.

Z.E. Access rounds out the Z.E. Flex plan – available since the launch of Renault ZOE – which is priced from £70 a month over three years and includes up to 7,500 miles per year. For customers who do annual mileage of up to 4,200 miles (i.e. 16 miles per day), Z.E. Access is more affordable than Z.E. Flex.

RENAULT ZOE – A RAFT OF INNOVATIONS AND 60 PATENTS TO MAKE ZERO EMISSION* DRIVING AFFORDABLE FOR ALL

Renault ZOE is a readily affordable all-electric city car designed for everyday use. Boasting more than 60 patents filed in the course of its design and development, ZOE features the most advanced electric vehicle technology to promote user friendliness and extend range.

• Using the Chameleon charger, ZOE is the only electric vehicle that can be charged in between 30 minutes and 10 hours depending on the power available at the socket (between 3 and 43kW) via a single plug on the car. Using a standard 230-volt socket (2.2kW), ZOE can also get a top-up of approximately 16 miles in three hours with the Flexi Charger.
• ZOE has a best-in-class range of up to around 93 miles depending on driving style and weather. It is also the first mass-market electric vehicle to achieve an NEDC** range of 130 miles thanks to its Range OptimiZEr system, which improves range whatever the conditions.

Safety is also a core focus. According to the independent European safety assessor Euro NCAP, ZOE was the best supermini in its class in 2013, ahead of its internal combustion-engined rivals.

To date, more than 10,000 customers have been won over by Renault’s 100% electric hatchback.

*During road use, excluding wear parts.

**New European Driving Cycle. Standard driving cycle used by type approval authorities to assess the fuel economy and range of passenger cars. NEDC range data is indicative and provides a base for comparison between vehicles.

TWIZY CARGO – OFFICIAL PREVIEW

The LCV variant of Twizy, dubbed Twizy Cargo, is being officially unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. The result of a partnership between Renault Tech and Renault Sport Technologies, Twizy Cargo boasts a watertight boot with a capacity of 180 litres (payload: 75kg), accessible via a lockable rear door that opens to 90 degrees. This conversion was made possible by adapting the cut-out of the rear end and doing away with the passenger seat. The front seat is still adjustable.

98% OF ZOE CUSTOMERS REPORT THAT THEY ARE “SATISFIED”

Some 38,000 electric vehicles from the Z.E. range have been registered in Europe over the period between the commercial release of Kangoo Z.E. on November 28, 2011, and ZOE’s first anniversary, celebrated at the Château de Versailles in France on January 27, 2014, with 50 owners and media representatives in attendance.

According to a survey conducted among the first ZOE buyers by IPSOS Loyalty, 98% of ZOE owners said they were satisfied and 95% would recommend the car to family and friends. ZOE’s quiet operation, driving enjoyment and design were the top reasons for satisfaction. Kangoo Z.E. also scored very highly in another survey – 95% of customers were satisfied with their vehicle (Source: survey conducted by Maxiphone in 2012).

Renault electric vehicles conquering the world

Z.E. vehicles popular in car-sharing programmes in Europe

In the UK, e-Car club have now launched their second phase of their car-sharing business.  Their fleet of vehicles on the University of Hertfordshire campus allows students and staff access to a range of Renault Z.E. vehicles for a very low fee – making their daily lives easier and less expensive.

In Switzerland, Mobility Carsharing bought 19 Renault ZOE superminis at the end of 2013 to extend its range of electric vehicles. The company now boasts one of the largest electric vehicle fleets in Switzerland. More than 105,000 customers can now car-share a ZOE thanks to Mobility Carsharing.

In Germany, Cambio-Carsharing and Hamburg’s Sparda bank have introduced an innovative car-sharing programme as part of a small property development project. Two electric vehicles, including a Renault ZOE, have been available for car-sharing since late 2013 by the 14 tenants of a recently renovated apartment block in Hamburg.

In Italy, two car-sharing services using Renault electric vehicles have started up in Naples:

• Bee-Green Mobility Sharing has a fleet of 40 Twizys to meet the needs of local residents and tourists alike. The vehicles can be reserved by phone or on the web and then picked up from one of the 35 Bee Points located in the city’s car parks. They can then be dropped off at any other Bee Point.
• Ci.Ro (City Roaming), set up by the non-profit organisation Napoli Città Intelligente, provides individuals or business users with eight ZOEs, three Kangoo Z.E.s and a Fluence Z.E.

In France, 11 Novotel hotels have made Twizys available free of charge to guests who stay for more than four consecutive nights. Featuring ultra-compact dimensions and open bodywork, Twizy is ideal for city driving. In Lyon, the Bluely car-sharing programme, funded by the Bolloré group, will include 50 Twizys. Production of the vehicles has just started. This car-sharing programme is the Bolloré group’s second, following on from Autolib’ in the Paris region. The Lyon service provides electric vehicles other than Bolloré’s Bluecar. Renault is offering its Z.E. retail customers a free annual subscription covering the 4,200 Autolib’ bays until February 28, 2014. Customers are then billed €1 per hour for using the service, which also includes parking. Parking is free for electric vehicles in Paris.

Electric vehicles are perfect for a broad spectrum of business uses, including home deliveries and car rentals for tourists. Following in the footsteps of the French postal service, which ordered 10,000 Kangoo Z.E.s due to be delivered in stages up until the end of 2015, the Austrian postal service has just signed a contract to buy 40 Kangoo Z.E.s.

In England, Eco Travel Network rents out seven Twizys to residents, tourists and businesses so they can explore the local countryside in the Brecon Beacons. Winner of the Green Transport Prize, they have also purchased a Kangoo Z.E. to round out their fleet.  Visitors to the New Forest national park have also been delighted by the ability to hire Twizys from New Forest Environmental to explore the local area, enjoying the peace and quiet from a new perspective.

Renault electric vehicles win followers outside Europe

To date, the Renault Z.E. range – in part or in full – is marketed in 23 countries around the world. In early 2014, electric vehicles went on sale outside Europe, in Turkey, Morocco, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates.

3. RENAULT, ENGINE MANUFACTURER PAR EXCELLENCE, RISES TO THE CHALLENGE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN 2014 

The new Energy dCi 160 Twin Turbo engine: the feel of a 2-litre powerplant, plus a 25% saving in fuel consumption

As a successful engine maker in the world of F1, Renault makes full use of its experience by continuously refining the energy efficiency of its road car engines to deliver even greater driving enjoyment. The latest fruit of the firm’s downsizing strategy is the Energy dCi 160 Twin Turbo, the first1.6-litre diesel powerplant to benefit from twin-turbocharging.

This 1,598cc block delivers 160hp and a generous 380Nm of torque, which catapults it into the domain of 2-litre engines in terms of performance. This important breakthrough combines with fuel consumption and CO₂emissions savings of 25%.

Improved performance courtesy of twin-turbocharging expertise

The use of ‘Twin Turbo’ technology for this diesel engine ensures a blend of low-end torque and high power at higher revs, the obvious knock-on effect of which is enhanced driving enjoyment.

The system comprises two sequential turbo-chargers:

1. The first is a very low inertia turbo which provides high low-end torque for crisp pull-away and mid-range acceleration. To guarantee sprightly pick-up response at low revs and incisive acceleration, 90% of peak torque is available from 1,500rpm.

2. The second turbo assumes the reins at the higher-end and produces high power (100hp per litre) at faster engine speeds to ensure smooth, linear, dependable acceleration right the way up to maximum revs.

The engine always works within its range of optimum efficiency, which naturally yields benefits in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

A hi-tech unit boasting technology borne out of Renault’s F1 expertise

This expertise in the field of sophisticated turbochargers is not the only link between the 1.6-litre Renault Energy F1 Power Unit and the Energy dCi 160 Twin Turbo block which takes advantage of a number of technologies borne out of Renault’s know how in F1, notably in terms of cooling and friction reduction:

• The transverse water flow system permits faster and more efficient cooling of the combustion chamber.
• ‘U’-section U-Flex piston rings adapt to changes in the form of the cylinder walls resulting from fluctuations in temperature and pressure to yield the optimum compromise between efficiency and friction.
• Super-finishing also reduces friction.

The fuel injection system of the Energy dCi 160 Twin Turbo operates at a pressure of 1,800 bars to function with the twin turbocharger. It complies with Euro 6b emissions legislation and incorporates a NOx Trap and particulate filter regeneration system.

By dint of its efficiency, this engine is comfortably capable of powering larger vehicles, and will notably be available for Renault’s forthcoming D- and E-segment models.

The Energy dCi 160 Twin Turbo will be manufactured at Renault’s Cléon plant in Normandy, France, which specialises in the production of the company’s technologically-advanced engines.

Renault Energy F1 Power Unit: a 35% reduction in fuel consumption for the same level of performance

In accordance with the new FIA regulations, Formula 1 is in the midst of an engine revolution that is bringing the sport more in-line with mass-production requirements, with the most notable upshot being the reduction by more than one third of the cars’ fuel consumption. A double restriction will apply, relating to the consumption of fuel during races and the total amount of fuel that can be carried on-board. The new engines will consequently count amongst the world’s most efficient with regard to their level of performance.

As one of the three engine manufacturers having risen to the FIA’s challenge, Renault has produced the new Energy F1 2014 Power Unit. Developed thanks to the expertise boasted by its F1 engine engineering headquarters in Viry-Châtillon, near Paris, France, this electrified 1.6-litre V6 Turbo delivers 750hp, which is the same level of performance as its 2.4-litre V8 predecessor, despite a one-third reduction in capacity.

The Renault Energy F1 Power Unit represents a substantial technological breakthrough. It is an extremely sophisticated unit that combines a turbocharged internal combustion engine with two powerful energy recovery systems which recuperate the energy contained in exhaust emissions (heat energy) and in the movement of the crankshaft (mechanical energy). The race cars will consequently be powered by a combination of fuel and electrical energy.

Renault has been able to rise to this technological challenge thanks to:

• its expertise in downsizing,
• its knowledge of energy management through KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems), a method of recovering kinetic energy under braking,
• and its head-start in electric vehicle technology through the brand’s Z.E. programme.

Known as the Renault Energy F1 2014 Power Unit, this new engine illustrates the existing synergies with Renault’s innovative range of Energy powerplants which is already available for the brand’s road cars. These downsized engines deliver driving enjoyment, responsive pick-up and acceleration, whilst at the same time being more economical in terms of CO₂ emissions andgenerating fuel consumption savings of up to 25%. The decision to use this name underlines Renault’s determination to make its F1 technology available to all motorists.

Renault’s expertise and the new FIA Formula E Championship

In addition to being Europe’s number one manufacturer of electric vehicles, Renault has boasted a unique level of expertise in motorsport throughout its history. It was therefore only natural that Renault should become a technical partner in the development of the 100% electric SRT_01E single-seater for the new FIA Formula E Championship.

The contribution from Renault’s engineers and motorsport experts had a direct impact upon the overall design of the powertrain. They were in charge of the specification and integration of the electric power systems based on the experience acquired through the development of the new Renault-Energy-F1 2014 Power Unit.

Renault worked with Spark to improve the performance and safety of the powertrain for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E.

Renault Sport Technologies, in partnership with Renault Sport F1, faced three challenges:

• The successful integration of the battery’s components into a single-seater frame,
• Ensuring the required level of battery life and performance,
• The guarantee of safety (crash test + fire).

‘’The battery of the Spark-Renault SRT_01E forms an integral part of the chassis, something that is totally unprecedented in a single-seater race car. In tandem with our partner, we have developed a battery pack that forms part of the car’s structure, thereby increasing its rigidity.It is isolated electrically and protected from fire by composite materials which also contribute to the vehicle’s light weight.’’Patrice Ratti, CEO, Renault Sport Technologies

Performance, efficiency and reliability: motorsport at the service of production vehicles

The success of Renault engines, whether designed for motorsport or mass-produced road cars, is founded on three cornerstones: performance, efficiency and reliability…

Performance: Renault’s motorsport engines provide first class performance, while the units designed for the brand’s road vehicles benefit from specific power levels that rank amongst the most competitive of any volume manufacturer.

Efficiency: Squeezing the very most out of every last drop of fuel is essential in motorsport. At the same time, Renault’s production engines stand out for their efficiency and figure amongst the market’s very best in terms of their power output-to-fuel consumption ratio. As an example, New Clio Energy dCi 90 returns fuel consumption of 88.3mpg. That’s equivalent to 83g/km of CO₂, a figure which rivals with that of the best-performing hybrids.

Reliability: Consistency in its results has played a fundamental part in the success achieved by Renault in motorsport over the decades, and that has been made possible by the durability of the brand’s engines in extreme conditions. Renault’s production powerplants, too, benefit from excellent reliability, as recognised in surveys conducted by independent motoring organisations and the company’s partners.