| It will improve performance and lower fuel consumption, while
complying with new Euro3/2000 emissions standards. A Euro 4/2005 version will be available
in the near future. The engine will be produced at a rate of 300 units a day at the La
Française de Mécanique plant in Douvrin, France. Specifications for the new PSA
PEUGEOT CITROËN/Renault 3-liter V6 engine call for:
- Lower fuel consumption.
- Better performance (power and torque).
- Compliance with new European emissions standards to become effective in 2000 and 2005.
- Possibility of two-way dialogue with an automatic transmission to adjust torque to gear
changes.
- Easier maintenance, with oil changes every 30,000 kms, low viscosity oil and sparkplug
changes after 120,000 kms.
Performance, consumption and handling
The new engine’s power has been increased by 8% to 152 kw (210 hp), versus 140 kw
(194 hp) for the engine it is replacing. Maximum torque is 285 N.m at 3,750 rpm, versus
267 N.m for the earlier version. Low speed torque has been thoroughly reworked and
increased by 10% to 260 N.m at 2,000 rpm, providing a more pleasurable driving experience.
Fuel consumption has also been substantially improved. While mileage will vary,
depending on the marque or vehicle type, overall consumption has been lowered by one liter
per 100 kms, in combined European city and highway tests (ECE and EUDC standards).
Superior environmental performance
Improving the engine’s technical features has also significantly enhanced its
environmental performance. The new PSA PEUGEOT CITROËN/Renault V6 engine complies fully
with Euro3 standards (to be applied as of January 2000 for new models) and will rapidly be
upgraded to meet Euro4 standards (for which tax incentives will be offered in advance of
the January 2005 application date).
Adjustments to the new standard will involve the engine management system, the precious
metal content of the catalytic converter, and development of the European On-board
Diagnosis (EOBD) system. These improvements will be integrated gradually, depending on the
two partners’ new vehicle introduction schedules.
Major technical changes
The engine has been entirely redesigned, with a thoroughly reworked upper section.
Changes include:
- A newly designed combustion chamber and intake manifold built in partnership with
Porsche, for
the combustion management system, and with Bosch, for the engine management control and
injection systems.
- Engine acoustics (NVH) were handled in association with Ricardo.
- A new six-pipe intake manifold, increased to 12 pipes where it feeds into the combustion
chamber, with each nozzle positioned on two pipes.
- Multi-hole and sequential injection nozzles.
- Motorized throttle housing.
- Single coil ignition system (one per cylinder).
- Variable timing camshaft.
In the lower engine section, the crankshaft, made of meshed forged steel and machined
with variable burnishing, is produced in France at the Courcelles foundry.
Investment and production
Development of the new V6 engine involved one-time expenses (for design, engineering
and process development) of FRF 464 million, of which FRF 80 million was invested in
manufacturing facilities. The original engine, introduced in 1996, had cost FRF 2.5
billion, including FRF 1.3 billion in capital expenditure.
The engine will be produced at the Douvrin, France plant operated by La Française de
Mécanique, a joint PSA PEUGEOT CITROËN/Renault venture. Full-year output is forecast at
300 units a day, versus the 120 units a day currently produced. This 250% increase in
volume is in line with expansion in both Groups’ model line-ups and the large number
of vehicles to be equipped with the new V6 engine.
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