New powertrain lineup for Renault

For its part in the race to zero emissions, Renault has announced plans for a complete technological overhaul of its engine and drivetrain lineup.

The company cites multiple rationales for the move. With no doubt left as to the part CO2 emissions play in global warming, the world's legislatures are toughening up convulsively on car makers over the issue.

Add to that some sharp rises in the price of oil and burgeoning demand for urban mobility and car makers find themselves facing a life-threatening series of challenges on challenges.

Renault's change-you-can-believe-in strategy will appear initially in the reduction of internal combustion capacities, with turbocharging making up the power shortfall. Existing 1200-1600cc petrol fours will make way for a range of 900-1200cc three and four-cylinder engines generating 65-90kW.

The new engines use the modular TCe technology introduced last year in the 1.2-litre four-cylinder that cuts the Clio's CO2 emissions by 30-40 g/km.

Also to come are new 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines designed to meet and exceed incoming Euro VI emissions standards. Renault expects them to cut 20-25 g/km off the CO2 emissions of its existing diesels.

Torque-converter autos will also go, in favour of lightweight, high-efficiency dual-clutch units.

The company has announced, too, that while it doesn't envisage the full demise of internal combustion any time soon, electric drive systems will inevitably play an increasingly important part in its own future and that of partner Nissan.

With a lineup of full-electric drivetrains of 50-100kW in the pipeline, the two have set up a joint venture -- Automotive Electric Supply Corp (AESC) -- to work on battery technologies in a bid to reduce their time to market with affordable, reliable full-electric cars.