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.October 29, 2003
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This Week:

• Nissan : The design transcends time and space to blend Edo's traditional arts and crafts with advanced styling

• Fiat and General Motors Announce Agreements Relating to Their Strategic Alliance

• GM Debuts New HUMMER, SEMA Vehicles, Accessories At 2003 SEMA Show

• Chrysler Group Announces New Appointments in Product Development

• Renault Mégane - A 100bhp version of the 1.5 dCi engine puts the pressure on …

• Toyota Announces Pricing for All-New 2004 Tundra Double Cab Pickup

• New General Motors Study Shows Daytime Running Lamps Continue To Reduce Crashes

• Ford's Haren Gandhi Awarded National Medal Of Technology For Catalyst Research

• BMW X5 for 2004

• Golf demonstrates fuel saving potential

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Renault Mégane - A 100bhp version of the 1.5 dCi engine puts the pressure on …

Photo: DC
 

The Mégane 5-door Hatch and Mégane Sport Hatch are now available with an entirely new version of the 1.5 dCi engine whose power output has been increased to 100bhp (74kW). Developed from the 80bhp (60kW) 1.5 dCi, this new version of the K9K engine reaffirms its qualities in terms of driving pleasure and fuel economy in the compact vehicle segment. It fits neatly between the 80bhp (60kW) 1.5 dCi and 120bhp (88kW) 1.9 dCi engines already fitted to the Mégane range. Prices for these new versions range from EUR18,250 for the Mégane Sport Hatch Pack Authentique to EUR22,150 for the Mégane 5-door Hatch Luxe Privilège.

Launched in its 65bhp (48kW) version in the Clio in June 2001, the 1.5 dCi (K9K) engine introduced a second-generation common rail fuel system. This system with its "spherical" common rail and advanced management system allowed better control of combustion throughout the life of the engine, resulting in extremely low noise levels. The special and extremely advanced technology of the injectors also ensured optimum efficiency, with a resultant reduction in fuel consumption and polluting emissions to the lowest levels.

This new 100bhp version retains all those technologies which have made the 65bhp and 80bhp versions so successful but adds special new features in the area of pressure induction and fuel injection.

The 100bhp 1.5 dCi engine is equipped with a multi-vane variable geometry turbocharger supplied by KKK. This allows greater output at high speeds while ensuring remarkable flexibility at low speeds. Fuel consumption and exhaust emissions remain benchmarks in this class, the engine producing only 119g of CO2/km in the mixed cycle.

While the injectors retain the same technology as those fitted to the less powerful versions, the injection pressure has been significantly increased, from 1,400 to 1,600 bars. This change has required the strengthening of some components, including the connecting rods, pistons and crankshaft bearings.

The cylinder block of the 100bhp 1.5 dCi engine is of the "large mating face" type in order to retain its leadership in terms of noise levels (homologation at 71 dB).

Now going on sale in the Mégane Hatch and Sport Hatch, this new version further strengthens the diesel engine range in the Mégane. Available from the Pack equipment level upwards, it is priced only EUR1,200 higher than ist 80bhp counterpart and EUR1,500 less than the equivalent 120bhp 1.9 dCi:

(Oct. 28, 2003)