Renault will Make the New Alliance 1.6 dCi Engine in Cleon, France

PARIS, FRANCE – April 22, 2009: Renault will start manufacturing the future 1.6 dCi diesel engine at its plant in Cléon, France in 2011. The Group has efficient, flexible, modern industrial facilities in France and around the world. By choosing Cléon, Renault is optimizing its investments. The plant’s flexible production lines, which can be used to produce several different types of engines, combined with the use of existing production equipment, will help lower the cost of the project. In addition, the plant has extensive know-know and recognized expertise in manufacturing diesel engines. The site, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, already makes the 1.9 dCi, 2.0 dCi, 2.5 dCi and V6 dCi diesel engines, the 2.0 and 2.0 turbo petrol engines, and 5-speed and 6-speed manual gearboxes. The project is supported by the French central and local governments.

The future, high-volume production 1.6 dCi (R9M type) diesel is an efficient, streamlined engine that respects the environment. Designed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the 1.6 dCi is intended to replace the current 1.9 dCi diesel engine as part of Renault’s engine downsizing strategy. The strategy is about reducing engine capacity, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, while delivering the same performance through turbocharging. The new engine will offer 130 hp (96 kW) when it is launched, the same power output as the 1.9 dCi now, but with 30 g/km less CO2 emissions and 20% more fuel economy. The new engine will equip passenger cars in the C segment – in particular the Mégane family – and the D segment, as well as LCVs in the Renault line-up. It will also fit Nissan models.