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| PSA ES/L engine | |
|---|---|
 ES9 J4S engine in a Peugeot 406 coupé | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroën) & Renault |
| Also called | PSA ES, Renault L |
| Production | 1997–2010 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | 60° V6 |
| Displacement | 2.9 L (2,946 cc) |
| Cylinder bore | 87 mm (3.43 in) |
| Piston stroke | 82.6 mm (3.25 in) |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum alloy |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminum alloy |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves x cyl. |
| Combustion | |
| Turbocharger | In Venturi Atlantique 300 Bi-turbo |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection |
| Fuel type | Petrol |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled |
| Output | |
| Power output | 140–228 kW (190–310 PS; 188–306 bhp) |
| Emissions | |
| Emissions control systems | Catalytic converter |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | V6 PRV engine |
The PSA ES/L engine is a V6 petrol engine used in automotive applications. It was co-developed by the PSA Group (Peugeot and Citroën) and Renault to replace the outdated V6 PRV engine. It was introduced in 1997 with the Peugeot 406 Coupé. It is designed and manufactured by the company "Française de Mécanique" for PSA and Renault. In PSA, the engine is known as the ES engine, in Renaults, the engine is known as the L engine.
Unlike the PRV V6, which was a 90° engine because it was developed from a V8 project, the ES/L has a traditional 60° V-angle. It is constructed entirely in aluminum, and available only in DOHC 24-valve format. Its sole iteration, the ES9 (PSA) or L7X (Renault), has a displacement of 2,946 cc (2.9 L), slightly less than the 3.0 L variant of the PRV. Bore and stroke is 87 mm × 82.6 mm (3.43 in × 3.25 in). A 3.3 L version was initially planned as well, but did not see production due to decreasing demand in V6 petrol engines in Europe and Renault's switch to Nissan-sourced V6 after its alliance with the Japanese carmaker.
Initially, the ESL produced 140 kW (190 PS; 188 bhp) in accordance with German and French insurance category limits in force at the time for engines under 3 litres. (The BMW 2.8 and Audi 2.8 produced the same figure circa 194 PS (143 kW; 191 bhp)) In 2000, Porsche retuned the Peugeot/Citroën version of the engine introducing variable valve timing on the intake camshafts varying between 0 and 40 degrees, improving fuel consumption, low engine speed flexibility for the introduction of the Peugeot 607 and Citroën C5. This iteration, called ES9 J4S, can now achieve 152 kW (207 PS; 204 bhp). In 2005, Peugeot/Citroën slightly upgraded the power to 155 kW (211 PS; 208 bhp). This version was not used by Renault who was by then focusing on Nissan-developed V6.
In 2000, Tom Walkinshaw Racing created a competition version for use in the Renault Clio V6. It could achieve a maximum of 206 kW (280 PS; 276 bhp) in racing trim, with a version detuned to 169 kW (230 PS; 227 bhp) for the road car. The road version's power was improved to 187 kW (254 PS; 251 bhp) by Renault Sport in 2004.