|  |  | | A turbo and 16 valves for genuine punch
Renault will use this new engine - known as "TCE 100" - to power both Modus and Clio, as well as Twingo's replacement which is due in 2007. Developed from the 1.2 16V 75hp block, it is equipped with a low inertia turbo that ensures minimal lag thanks to its small diameter turbine and compressor. Its maximum power of 100hp and peak torque of 145Nm are available at 5,500rpm and 3,000rpm respectively. The marriage of a small cubic capacity and a low inertia turbo ensures lively response from low revs, while maximum torque is available from low engine speeds and remains available across a broad rev-band. The turbocharger includes an "overpower" feature which temporarily boosts power output in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears at engine speeds of more than 4,500rpm (5hp extra power and 6Nm extra torque).
Some 30 per cent of the TCE 100's components are new compared with the 75hp block. The new engine also benefits from several evolutions, notably sodium cooled valves for enhanced resistance to heat, oil jet-cooled pistons and optimized cylinder head cooling. The injectors, sparkplugs and coil are all specific to the TCE 100, while its sump is made from aluminium.
The four-into-one exhaust manifold has been carefully designed to optimize the flow of exhaust gases in order to maximize the delivery of energy to the turbine. Meanwhile, a tumble-effect movement of the air inside the cylinders favours combustion speed for enhanced chamber-filling efficiency and improved stability when idling.
A fuel efficient, environmentally-friendly engine
With a cubic capacity of 1,149cc, this small engine enables Renault Modus and Renault Clio to claim record combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.9 litres/100km, a figure to which its low idling speed of 650rpm contributes. With CO2 emissions homologated at 140g/km, the TCE 100 engine will also contribute to the "CAFE 2008" commitment made by Renault to achieve average CO2 emissions for its range of 140g/km by 2008. This engine is also a response to the anticipated revival in interest for petrol engines compared with small diesels when the Euro5 standard comes into effect in Europe.
The TCE 100 will be coupled to a manual five-speed gearbox. It is produced in Douvrin which has a weekly production capacity of 13,500 1.2-litre engines. Renault invested 80 million euros in its development.
A new six-speed automatic transmission for the Renault range
The new AJ0 six-speed automatic transmission has been chosen by Renault for its range's topperforming diesel and petrol engines. Employed for the first time on New Renault Scenic 2.0 dCi, it contributes to the fuel efficiency of the new model's high performance version which boasts fuel consumption of just 7 litres/100km. Usable in either automatic or flick-shift manual mode, the AJ0 transmission has been designed with comfort, flexibility and smoothness at the forefront of the engineers' concerns, while special attention has also been paid to its acoustic performance.
The introduction of the AJ0 transmission marks the advent of a brand new six-speed automatic gearbox with flick-shift control in the Renault range. Developed for use with the brand's range-topping powerplants, the AJ0 transmission was employed for the first time on New Renault Scenic 2.0 dCi which was launched in September 2006. The combination of the new car's latest generation diesel engine with this new automatic transmission ensures outstanding combined cycle fuel consumption of 7 litres/100km, which is just 14 per cent more than that of the six-speed manual gearbox coupled with a technically equivalent engine.
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