Renault to run bioethanol Megane

Date: 11 July 2007   |   Author: John Mahoney

Renault has confirmed that come the end of 2007 it too will join a growing band of manufacturers selling E85 bioethanol-powered vehicles.

The first to run E85 will be the Focus-rivalling Megane hatchback with a 105PS 1.6-litre engine especially converted to run either 100% petrol or a 15% petrol/85% bioethanol mix.

The availability of bioethanol vehicle will appeal to drivers set to capitalise on the forthcoming 2% benefit-in-kind tax discount announced in the 2007 Budget.

Bioethanol-powered vehicles reduce the UK's continued heavy reliance on Middle East crude oil while substantially reducing a vehicle's well-to-wheel emissions when the amount of CO2 absorbed in the crop growing cycle is included.

Prices will be announced closer to the Megane on-sale date.

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