Renault Samsung Motors has added a new vehicle with a 1.6-liter engine to the mid-sized model lineup for the SM5.

Company officials said it will start the sales of the new SM5 TCE (Turbo Charged Efficiency) on June 3.

SM5 TCE features the MR190DDT, Nissan’s 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection turbo-charged engine with GETRAG’s six-speed dual clutch transmission. 

The officials said the MR109DDT engine has good fuel efficiency and high performance based on the GDI technology and turbocharged intercooler.

“SM5 TCE added new DNA with high performance to the new SM5 Platinum value. I’m sure it will stand as the best in the mid-sized vehicle market,” said Renault Samsung CEO Francois Provost.

The SM5 Platinum has four types, and all of them use a 2.0-liter engine

The SM5 TCE has a smaller engine capacity but uses a direct-injection turbo-charged engine. Company officials said the new engine has less power loss than other engines and improves the fuel efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Besides the new engine, SM5 TCE displays a dynamic look with two-toned 17-inch aluminum wheels and a dual muffler.

Its basic price is around 27 million won ($24,000).

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)