But now Renault are changing the game with their new generation direct injection turbo petrol engine, co-developed with Daimler.
This new 1300 petrol engine makes the power of a 1.8, the torque of a 2.0 & the fuel economy of a 1.6!
For comparison, my Duster 1.5 turbo diesel makes 80 kw & 240 Nm.
But this new 1.3 petrol engine makes 112 kw & 250 Nm, which is very impressive.
That’s a lot of power in a vehicle weighing 1250 kg.
The new engine makes higher torque at low rpm (from 1500 rpm), plus higher, more consistent torque at higher revs and lower fuel consumption.
The new TCe engine has a cylinder coating used for the Nissan GT-R engine to improve energy efficiency by reducing friction and optimising heat.
Other aspects such as direct injection has fuel pressure increased to 250 bar and a special combustion chamber design to optimise the air-fuel mixture.
It also has Double cam-phasing Variable Valve Timing (VVT) for higher torque at low revs.
These engines aren’t available in our South Africa Dusters yet but Dacia already have them on sale in the UK.

