The belated week 5 engine thread.

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High-Test

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FlyingAGasoline
As some of you might know, I was in France for 9 days. So..


What's the most important French engine of all time?

Is it the lowly twin from the Citröen <<deux-chevaux>> , or the almighty 1.5 liter Renault turbo that Jean-pierre Jabouille used in 1997 to signal the arrival of turbocharging? Or.. is it something else?

So.. This week, on parle des moteurs français. (Carl. , please tell me I said that right..)

(kinda O/T) : Is the C1 with it's cheap price and cloth top a retro 2CV? :confused:
 
...Given my extemely limited knowlege of anything French when it comes to automobiles, this one is gonna be a thinker for me...
 
Best french engine of all time? What ever Renault engine the Nissan VQ was based off of. :sly: And the Renault V6 (3.0L?) from the Clio MR hatch.
 
YSSMAN
...Given my extemely limited knowlege of anything French when it comes to automobiles, this one is gonna be a thinker for me...

Me too.. I thought I'd make it a bit harder this week.. :p
 
I'd say the Douvrin V6

Its been used in so many french cars, including all their 'supercars' (Alpines and Venturies) as well as Volvo's and Deloreans.
 
Peugeot's 1.9 MI16 is quite good nominee. it's been in speedy pugs and citroens since 80's through whole range of models. 205 GTi ( my personal favourite ), 405 MI16 4x4, Citroen BX GTi..
 
YSSMAN
...Given my extemely limited knowlege of anything French when it comes to automobiles, this one is gonna be a thinker for me...

lol likewise. I will just read, and not comment.
 
Poverty
lol likewise. I will just read, and not comment.

But you live in London? - last time i was down there, there were plenty of french cars running around?
 
don't forget all those pimped clios and saxos with 19" rims, stereo system that adds about a ton into their weight and bodykits that add another ton. into a car, that has 1.2l engine :D
 
Oh Gawd I can't believe I missed this thread I looove french cars I might have to limit my choice,

94renault_espace_f1_12.jpg

Renault%20Espace%20F1.jpg

Espace F1 engine, a Formula One engine that's been nicked and shoehorned into an espace shaped body.

laguna_v6.jpg

Renault 3.0l V6

hdi_04.jpg

Peugeot/Citroen HDi. More economical than a Prius, apparently.

espace02.jpg

Renault 3.5L V6 as seen in the Espace and Vel Satis

R01SE0368b.jpg

Renault 2.0 unit
 
Not to me!

I've been reminising (sp?) over past french engines!
Mind if I live in this thread High-Test?
 
Go ahead! I was hoping for disccussion, but most of us haven't a clue about French cars.

Je pense que la meilleure voiture française est l'Alpine A110.
 
JCE3000GT
Best french engine of all time? What ever Renault engine the Nissan VQ was based off of. :sly: And the Renault V6 (3.0L?) from the Clio MR hatch.

the VQ first appeared as a VQ30 in nissan maximas in the early/ mid nineties. totally nissan affiar.
 
I'm not sure if it is that no one knows about French cars, or if it is really that no one cares... Not to rain on this thread's Parade, but we have not had a major French automaker here in the US since Peugeot bailed out in 1991, thus many Americans around our age (figure 15-35) really don't know much about the cars.

I'm surprised that the Europeans haven't chimed in greately on the thread either, but I doubt the majority of the Britons who click around here care much for the French cars either.

...I think it would have been an interesting thread if we all knew more about French car technology, but I think we would have an easier time working with the major automotive countries of the world; US, UK, GER, JP, etc.
 
Oooh I can't help posting more.

2CVENG12.JPG

The 2CV 425 CC 12HP flat-twin air-cooled engine.

Maybe a little small, but perfect for pootling around and avoiding costly fuel bills.

Sol405.jpg

Peugeot 1.9l Diesel- an oddly alluring sound for a 4-pot diesel.

1924%20Hispano-Suiza%20H6C%20Speedster.jpg

Hispano-Suiza J12 9425 cc is huge by any standards.

400gt-v6.jpg

Venturi V6 BiTurbo should be in this thread just for being one of the very few V6's to achieve less than 10mpg and being put into some of the best looking cars ever, such as-
400gt-trophy2.jpg

a01.jpg


psahd2.jpg

Peugeot/Citroen Efficient-C Diesel Hybrid

1446.jpg

Bugatti EB110 engine is often overlooked but a Quad-Turbo V12 woah!

1455.jpg

The Bugatti EB118 Concept earns a place in this thread plainly for having V18!

6703.jpg

Peugeot Oxia Concept- 680hp from a V6!

That's all...for now
 
YSSMAN
I'm not sure if it is that no one knows about French cars, or if it is really that no one cares... Not to rain on this thread's Parade, but we have not had a major French automaker here in the US since Peugeot bailed out in 1991, thus many Americans around our age (figure 15-35) really don't know much about the cars.

I'm surprised that the Europeans haven't chimed in greately on the thread either, but I doubt the majority of the Britons who click around here care much for the French cars either.

...I think it would have been an interesting thread if we all knew more about French car technology, but I think we would have an easier time working with the major automotive countries of the world; US, UK, GER, JP, etc.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Not only do we not know about them here in America but because of that we aren't passionate about them so we can't really have a good discussion. When I read the topic for the week I knew I was out but I was hoping our Euro friends could teach me something.
 
I'm willing to teach if you're willing to learn. ;)

Lesson Number 1-
The Peugeot-Citroen (PSA) HDi engines are rebadged as TDCi engines in Ford vehicles.

Lesson Number 2-
Most French cars are known for shocking reliability, but the engines are fine (so I hear). Just don't mention electricals to a french car owner.

Lesson Number 3-
It's very rare that a french production car has an engine of over 3.5l, and most French cars sold in the UK are diesels. I'm not sure about the rest of europe though.
 
...All I know is that I want a Renaultsport Clio 197...
 
neanderthal
the VQ first appeared as a VQ30 in nissan maximas in the early/ mid nineties. totally nissan affiar.


Are you sure?
The early 300ZX's (The Z31's, which came out in 1981) had a 3.0 V6 that, to my knowledge, was simply not called the VQ but did have very similar engine architecture.
 
Slicks
Are you sure?
The early 300ZX's (The Z31's, which came out in 1981) had a 3.0 V6 that, to my knowledge, was simply not called the VQ but did have very similar engine architecture.

Yes VQ's date back to 1994 in VQ20DE, VQ25DE or VQ30DE form, The V6's originally from the 80's were VG engines.
 
Isn't it only the latest VQ series that's available in a longitudinal layout? It seems most old Nissan rear-drivers I've seen use VGs or RB's.
 
opendriver19a
Does the pescky Judd V-10 count?

If not, I would have to say the Peugeot 407 3L V-6

No. The Judd engine is built by John Judd's Engine Developments in Northamptonshire.

I will let you know in detail when it arrives, but the Renault Grand Espace that I have just ordered has their awesome 2.0 dCi unit. 175bhp from a 2.0 diesel engine... 👍 It's a bit flat under 1,500 rpm, but from there it just pulls and pulls.

The 140bhp 2.0 engine that's co-badged HDi by PSA and TDCi by Ford is a very good unit, that allows you to ride the crest of the torque wave, even in big heavy cars. It's a lot better than the VW PD 130 engine fitted to the old Galaxy.
 
niky
Isn't it only the latest VQ series that's available in a longitudinal layout?

Yeah, I cant think of any 90's longitudinal positioned VQ's.
 
It must be said that the EB110 was about as French as Enzo Ferrari, and that EB118 Cheron was about as French as brautwurst.
 
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