Renault Group has issued it's statement to clarify the news that investigations have intensified over cheat devices.

Following public disclosure by the EPA – US Environmental Protection Agency – of the existence of a Defeat Device software used by a leading car manufacturer, an independent technical commission was created by the French Government.

The purpose of this independent technical commission is to verify that French car manufacturers have not installed equivalent devices in their vehicles.

In this regard, the UTAC (French Homologation Authority mandated by the Ministry) is currently testing 100 vehicles in circulation, including 25 Renault vehicles reflecting Renault's market share in France.  

At the end of December 2015, 11 vehicles had already been tested, including 4 Renault vehicles enabling the French public authorities to initiate productive discussions with Renault's engineering team.

The French Agency for Energy and Climate (DGEC), which is, on behalf of the Ministry for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, the main contact for the independent technical commission, already considers that the on-going procedure would not reveal the presence of a defeat device on Renault's vehicles.

This is good news for Renault.

The on-going tests open the way for improvement solutions for future and current Renault vehicles. Presented in its Renault Emissions Plan which is aimed at improving the energy performance of our vehicles.

At the same time, the DGCCRF decided to carry out additional on-site and material investigations, in order to definitively confirm the first findings resulting from the analysis of the independent technical commission.

The DGCCRF went to the Headquarters, the Renault Technical Centre in Lardy and the Technocentre in Guyancourt. 

Renault's teams are fully cooperating with the independent technical commission and the additional investigations decided by the Ministry of Economy.

Following the success of the COP21, Renault intends to accelerate its investment towards industrial solutions aiming at protecting the planet.

The Renault Group is already in the top 3 (1st in 2013, 2nd in 2014) in the improvement programs of the carbon footprint.  Over the last 3 years, the Renault Group has reduced by 10% the carbon footprint of its vehicles.

Peugeot 208 with BlueHDi Diesel engine sets a new long-distance fuel consumption record, 141.2mpg.

• Peugeot 208 with BlueHDi Diesel engine sets a new long-distance fuel consumption record
• This 79g/km model is the lowest CO₂ non hybrid available
• PSA Peugeot Citroёn was the leader in Europe in 2014 with average CO₂ emissions of 110.3g/km

A 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100 S&S PEUGEOT 208 has set a new long-distance fuel consumption record, under the supervision of the UTAC. An impressive 1,337.19 miles (2,152 kilometres) were covered on 9.45 gallons (43 litres) of Diesel, with an average fuel consumption of an amazing 141.2 mpg (2.0 l/100km). 

This record confirms the technological excellence of the latest Euro6 BlueHDi Diesel engines and their contribution to the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

This performance was achieved at the end of April on the PEUGEOT test circuit at Belchamp in France, supervised by the French Type Approval Authority, UTAC (Union Technique de l’Automobile, du motocycle et du Cycle). 

A strictly standard production PEUGEOT 208, with the 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100 S&S engine and 5-speed manual gearbox, ran for 38 hours and covered 2,152 kilometres while consuming little more than 9 gallons of fuel! In doing so, the new PEUGEOT 208 set an absolute long distance fuel consumption record for a standard production vehicle. 

Several drivers were used to arrive at this result, each taking a turn of 3 to 4 hours at the wheel during the scrutinised test.

The PEUGEOT 208 tested was a ‘Very Low Fuel Consumption’ version, available from the Dealer network as part of the extensive range. 

With an official Combined Drive Cycle fuel consumption figure of 94.2mpg (3.0 l/100km) and low CO₂ emissions of 79g/km, it takes its place as the world benchmark for a standard production model powered by an internal combustion engine. 

This version is characterised by the presence of an aerodynamic rear spoiler and the adoption of ultra-low rolling resistance Michelin Energy Saver+ tyres. These values are already exceptional, but combined with the dynamic qualities of the new PEUGEOT 208 – compact, light, fun to drive - they offer the potential to go even further. Challenge taken up, challenge convincingly won!

Associating SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) and an additive particle filter in a unique way, the BlueHDi technology demonstrates once again that it is the most efficient and effective Diesel emissions control system on the market.

On sale in Europe from June and Autumn in the UK, the new PEUGEOT 208 offers both exceptionally economical and efficient Euro6 petrol and Diesel engines. As regards CO₂ emissions, the petrol range offers remarkably well-contained values from 97g/km while with Diesel, the BlueHDi range is now entirely below 95g/km.

PEUGEOT is rapidly reducing the CO₂ emissions of all of its vehicles in a tangible way. The accelerated implementation of the 3-cylinder PureTech petrol and BlueHDi Diesel engines, as well as the new 1.6 litre THP engines and the EAT6 automatic transmission, now places 20 PEUGEOT vehicles at the best level in their power class for CO₂ emissions (five PureTech, three 1.6-litre THP and twelve BlueHDi are class-leading models).

These engines meet the demand by the PEUGEOT brand for development that takes account of the environment, with in particular, engines that are ever cleaner and produce less CO₂. PEUGEOT’s environmental performance helped the PSA PEUGEOT CITROËN Group maintain leadership in Europe in 2014 with average CO₂ emissions of 110.3g/km, in a European market where the average is at 123.7g/km, and as an individual Brand the Peugeot product average is 109.5g/km.

A video of the record run can be found at www.peugeot-pressepro.com

Peugeot anniversaries in 2015

• 125 years of producing combustion-engine vehicles – 65 million produced since
• 120 years making commercial vehicles (1895)
• 80 years for the 402
• 60 years for the 403
• 50 years for the 204
• 50 years since 40 endurance records were set in June 1965 by the 404 Diesel at Montlhéry
• 50 years for the J7
• 40 years for the 604
• 30 years for the 309
• 30 years since the 205 T16 won the World Rally Championship