2458
CM³
The Z7U is the turbocharged 2,458 cc version of the PRV V6 — the very first turbo PRV, launched by the Renault 25 V6 Turbo at the end of 1985, and the engine of the Alpine GTA and Venturi 200.
At the end of 1985, the Renault 25 V6 Turbo introduced the Z7U — and with it the second generation of the PRV V6: offset crankpins for even firing at last, electronic injection, and turbocharging. A far cry from the first-generation units and their uneven beat.
The “magic turbo” quickly reached the flagship versions of several marques — Alpine and Venturi first — making the 2.5 turbo the sporting heart of the PRV family. The full story is told in our History section.
Six factory or network-approved variants of the Z7U are documented — the full engine-code table is on the main Engines page.
The launch car — first turbocharged PRV, 182 then 205 bhp. Its stretched Heuliez limousine, in the 182 bhp 2.5 turbo, served president François Mitterrand.
200 bhp uncatalysed, 185 bhp catalysed — and back up to 210 bhp with the network-approved Danielson kit, detailed in our Tuners section.
The French hand-built sports car took the 200 bhp Z7U as its entry engine — all Venturi's PRV cars are in the Vehicles section.
In the late 1980s the independent tuner HAS pushed the Renault 25's Z7U to around 240 bhp — roughly ten cars, one of the great confidential PRVs.
Architecture, generations and every known engine code of the PRV V6 — on the main Engines page.