It looks odd on the face of it, but Renault says its new, 1.6-litre Energy dCi 130 (R9M) turbodiesel engine - which will supersede the 1.9 dCi engine, initially in the Scénic and Grand Scénic ranges, then across the entire Mégane family - has direct links to its Formula One racing programme.
Let's take a look at that; the new engine is based on "square" architecture derived from Renault's experience in F1, where the bore and stroke are roughly equivalent, rather than the long-stroke, "undersquare" layout common to compression-ignition engines since the days of Otto Diesel.
The coolant in the water-jacket is pumped across the block rather than vertically. Transverse water flow is used in F1 engines to maximise cooling efficiency and minimise downforce losses. The coolant also flows naturally through the system requiring less pumping force and thus a smaller water-pump. Great for F1, just as good for making a small diesel more efficient.
The R9M engine also has double water-jacket in the cylinder head to optimise cooling of the hot zones around the combustion chamber and injector nozzles, and keep each combustion chamber at the same operating temperature.
The new diesel also has U-Flex oil-rings, which have been used in F1 for more than 10 years. The U-shaped rings are very flexible and adapt to bore distortion for the best compromise between efficiency and friction.
Phillipe Coblenz, the design office manager for the R9M, was the design head of the F1 engine shop at Viry-Chatillon during the period when the U-Flex rings were developed. Her explained: "It works like a multi-blade razor,adapting naturally to the contour without having to exert high pressure on the cylinder wall. The result is maximum efficiency and less friction."
So, the R9M really does have F1 DNA.
It also has more than 30 new patents, including a stop-start system that includes regenerative braking, cold-loop, low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation, a variable-displacement oil pump, variable combustion-chamber swirl technology and a multi-injection sequence designed to optimise particulate filter regeneration and reduce maintenance requirements for this very vulnerable component.
It also uses old technology where appropriate, such as a steel timing chain instead of a toothed timing belt to improve reliability and extend the period between major overhauls.
All of which adds up to 96kW at 4000rpm - making it, according to Renault, the most powerful in its class - and 320Nm from 1750Nm. Fuel consumption of the new engine in a current Scénic is quoted at 4.4 litres/100km and emissions at 115g/km, a 20 percent improvement on the same car with the 1.9-litre engine.
Renault says the Energy family of internal combustion engines and its line-up of electric vehicles will cut the average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of its European range from 135g/km in 2011 to less than 120g/km by 2013 and less than 100g/km by 2016 - with the help of Formula 1 technology .