While the TDI engine scandal continues to spread at an alarming pace, Renault announces the development of its current diesel engine lineup will continue. On the sidelines of the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show, we’ve discussed with company officials about an upcoming hybrid version of the all-new Megane that will combine one of their dCi engines with electricity.
It's been about 20 years since Toyota launched the Prius. Renault has played with the idea of launching a hybrid model for many years, but now they are only a couple of years away from actually doing it.
In 2017, the Megane Hybrid will be introduced with a dCi, and it’s likely going to receive the ECO2 badge, the one used by the most frugal model in every range.
Development of this engine started way back in 2012, which means that it will be used by many other models, both smaller and bigger. The bad news is that it will not be a hybrid model in the true sense of the world.
The so-called Hybrid Assist or Mild Hybrid system usually implies better energy management, a larger battery pack, regenerative braking and a starter motor that fills torque gaps.
Renault does not detail the functioning of its system, merely stating that it "will provide extra acceleration on some phases of the operation, especially at low speeds." An ambitious standard of 76 grams per kilometer, coupled with an NEDC fuel consumption of under 3 liters per 100 kilometers, has been set.
It remains to be seen if Renault’s solution is the way to go. Most certainly, 76 grams per kilometer is an impressive achievement when the current Prius model only gets 86 grams per kilometer. However, the German manufacturers are currently going for a more advanced plug-in hybrid setup.
Renault’s approach is similar to Mazda, who don’t want to start making clunky and complicated hybrids and used the i-Eloop capacitor-based brake energy recovery system. However, this may be only the beginning, as Renaultsport keeps repeating that it wants the next Megane RS to be a hybrid.
In 2017, the Megane Hybrid will be introduced with a dCi, and it’s likely going to receive the ECO2 badge, the one used by the most frugal model in every range.
Development of this engine started way back in 2012, which means that it will be used by many other models, both smaller and bigger. The bad news is that it will not be a hybrid model in the true sense of the world.
The so-called Hybrid Assist or Mild Hybrid system usually implies better energy management, a larger battery pack, regenerative braking and a starter motor that fills torque gaps.
Renault does not detail the functioning of its system, merely stating that it "will provide extra acceleration on some phases of the operation, especially at low speeds." An ambitious standard of 76 grams per kilometer, coupled with an NEDC fuel consumption of under 3 liters per 100 kilometers, has been set.
It remains to be seen if Renault’s solution is the way to go. Most certainly, 76 grams per kilometer is an impressive achievement when the current Prius model only gets 86 grams per kilometer. However, the German manufacturers are currently going for a more advanced plug-in hybrid setup.
Renault’s approach is similar to Mazda, who don’t want to start making clunky and complicated hybrids and used the i-Eloop capacitor-based brake energy recovery system. However, this may be only the beginning, as Renaultsport keeps repeating that it wants the next Megane RS to be a hybrid.