New Megane RS and Alpine 1.8?

[Bright Halo]

Anybody know why Renault have gone for a 1.8T in the new Megane RS and Alpine rather than a 2.0T
Is there some sort of advantage to this as it seems contrary to what most other manufacturers are doing?

[Skornogr4phy]

It's pretty much exactly the same as every manufacturer is doing...

Fiesta ST 1.6 -> 1.5
C63AMG 6.3 -> 4.0
718 Boxster 2.7 -> 2.0

Every manufacturer is downsizing their engines for better fuel economy.

[framerateuk]

Focus ST: 2.5 > 2.0
Focus RS: 2.5 > 2.3
Clio RS: 2.0 > 1.6

Downsizing is the norm these days. The old F4r engine was pretty long in the tooth (even if it was still great fun). The new replacement is based on the Renault/Nissan block powering the Clio, Micra, Captur, Kadjar, Qashqai and everything in between..

[Salamura]

The official statement from Renault was that the F4R had limited possibilities for future upgrades (perhaps things like main and big end bearing design were limiting the possibility for further performance gains without durability issues). The F4R is loosely based on the old Cleon-Fonte, so it has a cast iron block and dry timing belt, which is pretty old-skool. The 1.8 is all aluminium, has a chain, is lighter, and is possibly more future-proof.

Having said that, I'll miss the F4R, as it certainly has character.

[Dblue]

Salamura said:

Having said that, I'll miss the F4R, as it certainly has character.

Now I'm a great lover of RS and all that they do but. the F4RT could never be described as characterful. Effective, reliable, certainly tuneable.
But never tuneful, not particularly free revving in turbocharged form and , in truth never the highlight of the cars.
Sounds like the new motor is a definite improvement

[Butter Face]

As above, brand new engine that allows them to meet new WLTP regs and with more scope for future upgrades as well as being able to be used in FF and MR applications with minimal changes I think.