Renault has chosen the Mégane range to introduce its first bioethanol (E85) cars on the European market. The new ecological and economic alternative is available on Mégane hatchback and estate cars with 1.6 16v engines, from the Authentique trim upwards. Prices start at €18,550 for Mégane Hatch and €19,150 for Mégane Sport Tourer, just €200 more than for the standard 1.6 16v versions.

French release for the E85 versions of Mégane Hatch and Mégane Sport Tourer is scheduled for late June 2007, though dealer orderbooks opened on June 11. At the end of June 2007, Renault will be releasing its first bioethanol-compatible vehicles in Europe, in the form of Méganes powered by a 105 hp 1.6 16v engine running on E85 fuel.

The existing 1.6 16v petrol engine underwent a number of modifications so that it could adapt automatically to the type of fuel. Main upgrades were to the fuel tank, injection system and combustion chamber. The new vehicles were developed with input from expertise developed in Brazil, where Renault has been selling FlexFuel versions of Clio and Mégane, running on bioethanol E100, since 2004.

The new releases should be seen against a backdrop of French tax incentives for clean vehicles,with full exemption from company car tax over eight quarters for passenger cars registered after January 2007, and partial or total exemption (depending on the region) from regional vehicle registration taxes for cars running on bioethanol E85.

Renault considers biofuels to be one of the most effective solutions in the long-term quest for control over CO2 emissions. Biofuels are ecologically effective, as a diversified, renewable, plantbased energy source. And they are economically effective because the cost of developing compatible engines is reasonable, and the cars therefore affordable. Biofuels will also be helping to cut down energy dependency on fossil fuels.

Biofuel-compatibility is one of the criteria behind the Renault Eco2 signature. With a Mégane running on bioethanol (E85) alongside other vehicles running on biodiesel (B30), Renault confirms its commitment to this technology, as one of the few carmakers to offer its European customers cars running on both types of biofuel.

Bioethanol is made by distilling fermented vegetable matter, typically in the form of wheat or beet in Europe, sugarcane in Brazil, or maize in the USA. The resulting fuel is then mixed with petrol in varying proportions: 5% for E5, 10% for E10, 85% for E85, and up to 100% for the Hi-Flex Clio 1.6 16v sold in Brazil.