Renault D-Type engine
| Company type | Engine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Cléon-Fonte engine |
| Founded | July 1996 |
| Products | Straight-4 petrol engines (D7F, D7D, D4F, D4D, D4FT variants) |
| Owner | Renault |
The Renault DiET engine, also referred to as the "D engine" or "D-Type," is a straight-4 petrol powerplant engineered by Renault to succeed the Cléon-Fonte in the Renault Twingo lineup.
History
The development of the D Engine arose from the inability of the 1.2-litre Energy Engine, characterized by its hemispherical combustion chamber and front exhaust layout, to fit beneath the bonnet of the initial Twingo generation.
Faced with European emission standards introduced in 1997, Renault opted to create a new engine rather than modify both the Cléon-Fonte and Energy units. Capitalizing on the unexpected popularity of the Twingo, this decision resulted in a flexible engine design suitable for use in both the Twingo and Clio models, culminating in the D-Type's creation.
The D-Type incorporates a hemispherical cylinder head with an overhead camshaft and rear-positioned exhaust ports, allowing for a compact fitment within the Twingo's engine bay.
D7F
Introduced in July 1996, the D7F featured a displacement of and generated at 5250 rpm alongside torque at 2500 rpm. This engine employed sequential multi-port fuel injection technology.
Models equipped with this engine include:
- 1996–2000 Renault Twingo
- 1996–1998 Renault Clio I
- 1998–2005 Renault Clio II (including Clio Campus until 2008)
- 1998 Renault Kangoo
D7D
The D7D variant was a reduced-capacity, 8-valve version.
Applications comprised:
- 1997–2007 Renault Clio
- 1998 Renault Kangoo
- 2000–2001 Renault Twingo
D4F
Replacing the D7F in December 2000, the D4F retained identical displacement but introduced a 16-valve SOHC cylinder head. It produced at 5500 rpm and delivered torque of at 3500 rpm (models D4F-702, D4F-712). A revision in 2004 (D4F-722) enhanced intake flow and extended torque availability up to 4250 rpm. The D4F-740 iteration featured modifications to camshaft and valve lifters for reduced idle speed and shorter ratios in the first two gears to better suit the heavier Clio III launched in 2005.
This engine powered:
- 2000–2014 Renault Twingo
- 2001–2019 Renault Clio
- 2006–2021 Renault Symbol
- 2004–2012 Renault Modus/Grand Modus
- 2005–2011 Proton Savvy
- 2009–2016 Dacia Logan
- 2009–2016 Dacia Sandero
D4D
The D4D was a version delivering a 16-valve configuration with a displacement of .
It was installed in:
- 1997–2001 Renault Clio
- 1998 Renault Kangoo
- 2000–2001 Renault Twingo
- 2001–2005 Peugeot 206 (Brazilian market, 1.0 engine)
- 2000–2016 Brazilian-market models including Renault Clio, Renault Sandero, and Renault Logan (1.0 Flex Fuel compatible with ethanol and gasoline)
- 2011–2015 Brazilian or Mexican-built Nissan March (1.0 Flex Fuel)
D4FT
In 2007, Renault unveiled the turbocharged D4FT variant, marketed as the 1.2 TCe (Turbo Control Efficiency), focusing on economical fuel consumption. This version incorporated updated 16-valve heads, reinforced internal components, and a reduced compression ratio from 9.8:1 to 9.4:1 to accommodate turbocharging demands. It achieved power output of at 5500 rpm along with torque of at 3000 rpm.
Renault led petrol engine downsizing efforts through its TCe series, merging power comparable to a 1.4 L unit with torque akin to a 1.6 L engine while maintaining fuel efficiency close to that of a traditional 1.2 L motor. The TCe 100 model delivers strong low-to-midrange torque for engaging driving dynamics alongside moderate fuel usage, producing just 137 g/km CO₂ emissions on the Clio III and approximately 140 g/km on both Modus and Twingo GT variants.
This performance is enabled by a low-inertia turbocharger featuring a small compressor diameter for swift boost response, generating between and .
An "overpower" function temporarily raises output by and torque by when operating in second through fourth gears above 4500 rpm.
Vehicles equipped include:
- 2007–2014 Renault Twingo
- From 2007 onward: Renault Clio
- 2007–2012 Renault Modus
- 2010–2013 Renault Wind