The new four-cylinder unit adopted an overhead camshaft driven by a toothed belt that also controls the diesel injection pump.

The cast iron block is topped by a light alloy cylinder head featuring Ricardo Comet prechambers.

A version with a single-barrel carburetor was installed in some early Renault Trafic models and some R21, called the F1N.

Production is centered on Renault's engine manufacturing facility at Cléon, near Rouen in Normandy.

The preceding F8M 1.6 D diesel engine developed 55 bhp (41 kW; 56 PS), but since it was not powerful enough to power the heavier Renault 19, Renault changed the stroke and bore of the 1.6 D, to obtain 1,870 cc (1.9 L) (1.9 D) which gave rise to F8Q which was developing 65 bhp (48 kW; 66 PS).

This engine would also eventually be used in the Clio 1, Clio-based Express (Rapid / Extra), Renault 21, Kangoo, Mégane 1 and Trafic 1.

A lower powered version producing 55 PS (40 kW; 54 bhp) DIN was introduced in the 1990s.

The 1.9 dCi was also used in the Mégane 1 Phase 2, Scénic 1 Phase 2, Laguna 2, Mégane 2, Scénic 2, Espace 3, Espace 4, Trafic 2, Master 2, Volvo S40, Volvo V40, Mitsubishi Carisma, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Nissan Primera and so on.

[5] This, the F7P engine, had 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and was also used in the Clio 16S from February 1991, replacing the Super 5 GT Turbo.

This was not only meant to celebrate titles gleaned in Formula 1 with Frank Williams' team, but also to be homologated for competition (requiring a minimum production of 2,500).

Starting from 1 January 1993, all car models would be equipped with a fuel injection system and a catalytic converter.

Version 8 valves engine F7R 115 PS (85 kW; 113 bhp) would appear on Laguna 1, it was also used in the Mégane 1 and Scenic Area 1 and 3, and was there known as the "F3R."

At the same time, the bigger F4R was used in the Laguna and Espace (third generation), with the same engine size as the F7R 1,998 cc (2.0 L) from the Clio Williams.

[citation needed] In 1999, Renault launched the Clio 2 RS, powered by the 1,998 cc (2.0 L) F4R 16 valve engine with 172 PS (127 kW; 170 bhp).

In 2004, the Phase 3 version of the Clio 2 RS gained 10 PS (7 kW; 10 bhp) for a total of 182 PS (134 kW; 180 bhp) using 4-2-1 exhaust headers, changes to the intake manifold and exhaust system (the new twin rear mufflers requiring the removal of the spare wheel well in the boot).

It was equipped with the 2.0 16V Turbo block F4Rt the Mégane 2 RS with variable valve timing, increased to 250 PS (184 kW; 247 bhp).

Applications: The F5x resembles the F4x mechanically with an architecture of 16 indirect actuated valves and DOHC, but used a "direct injection IDE" fuel system.

Applications: The F7x was the first of the F-type engine family with a 16-valve DOHC configuration, the valves were directly actuated by Hydraulic tappets.

Applications: The F8x is the indirect injected Diesel version and has an 8-valve SOHC architecture, it uses precombustion chambers to achieve the required air/fuel mixing.

Applications: The F9x is the direct injected Diesel version and also features an 8-valve SOHC configuration, it has swirl generating intake ports to create swirling (vortex) of the aspirated air, and either a toroidal- or an elsbett-shaped piston bowl to twist the injected fuel vapour, also to achieve the required air/fuel mixing.