Nissan to Introduce Tier 2 Bin 5 Diesel in US in Maxima in 2010
18 April 2007
Nissan plans to introduce a 50-state, Tier 2 Bin 5 diesel engine in the United States for use in the Nissan Maxima in 2010. The passenger car will be powered by an all-new Alliance engine co-developed with its partner Renault.
Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn made the announcement during a speech at the US Council on Foreign Relations. Further details about the car, including its launch date, will be announced later.
Nissan is fully engaged in reducing emissions and improving fuel economy and efficiency. Launching a clean diesel engine in the US will offer customers the benefits of fuel economy, CO2 reduction and a satisfying, fun-to-drive performance vehicle that is a hallmark of the Nissan brand. You can expect to see more diesel engines in our product lineup in Europe, Japan, North America and China by fiscal year 2010.
—Carlos Ghosn
This initiative is part of Nissan’s plan to reduce CO2 emissions for the future as outlined in Nissan Green Program 2010, the company’s mid-term environmental strategy. (Earlier post.) Nissan will be investing in a variety of technologies including fuel cell cars, hybrid cars, biofuel-based cars, electric vehicles, and improvements in gasoline engines and clean diesels.
Nissan already has diesel engines deployed in Europe, and will soon introduce a new Euro 4-compliant, 2.0-liter diesel engine in Europe for the Qashqai crossover.
The 2.0 dCi is fitted with a Bosch piezoelectric-controlled injection system to develop 148 hp (110 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. The injection system uses a five-squirt injection cycle: two pre-squirts, one main squirt and two post-squirts.
The pre-squirts improve engine acoustics by minimizing the characteristic diesel clatter. The post-squirts sustain the main injection combustion, to burn off soot and thus bring down pollutant emissions before the exhaust gases have left the combustion chamber.
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) produces a controlled temperature rise in the combustion chamber to reduce pollutant emission levels (NOx) and thus enhance the engine’s overall environmental performance, ensuring it complies with Euro 4 legislation.
The 2.0 dCi is equipped as standard with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) with a periodic regeneration system. When the particulates that have been collected from the engine emissions reach a specified level, the engine runs a process called thermal regeneration to perform a second post-injection to overheat the exhaust gas. Above a certain temperature, the soot in the filter oxidizes off, and the filter can continue trapping particulates.
Meeting Tier 2 Bin 5 regulations requires an additional 83% reduction in NOx emissions from Euro 4 levels, and a 75% reduction in PM.
The 2.0-liter diesel for the Qashqai has projected fuel consumption of 6.9 l/100km (34 mpg US).
While the engine may be adequate for the car (150hp might not make for a "4 door sports car" as the maxima was originally called, but with the 236lb-ft of torque it shouldn't feel too slow off the line), I doubt very many people in the US will opt for the diesel over the 280+hp VQ35 considering both are probably at the same cost.
Posted by: Patrick | 18 April 2007 at 08:27 AM
Great idea, but I question their meeting the T2B5 compliance, with this "five squirt" concept. I dont see the timing of "five squirts" at 5000-6000 rpm working correctly, and in so, meeting T2B5. Thats micro-micro-mini timing events. Too many things to go wrong.
But I have been proven wrong before, and perhaps here also. With the Nissan, Ghosn, Bosch, and Renault names on it, perhaps theres a chance it will work. I will wait and see.
Posted by: Mark A | 18 April 2007 at 08:42 AM
Where in the US emissions test cycle does the engine run at 5-6000rpm? How many diesels run at 5-6000rpm? The engine will not be performing multiple injections at high engine speeds of course! Why are multiple injections more to go wrong anyway? These multi event Common rail diesel injection systems have been in service in Europe for quite a substantial period of time and are very well proven.
Why would they buy a diesel over a VQ? Hmm, cost of fuel? Economy? All these things will matter even more than they do now in 2010!!
Posted by: Ruaraidh | 18 April 2007 at 08:51 AM
I disagree. I am a mechanical engineering student, and among my plans for after graduation in 2008, is the thought of purchasing a new car. My qualifications for any vehicle I might purchase: <2.0 liter displacement, biofuel compatible, with at least 35-40mpg in extra-urban driving. So far, the only vehicles that have my attention are Honda's clean diesel Civic, VW's BlueTec diesels, or a BMW 120d (if available). All of those cars would be considered compact/economy cars. If Nissan produced a mid sized sedan or wagon, with an economical and clean diesel, it would be catapulted to the top of the list.
As an alternative to the VQ35, or the future VQ37, the diesel would pale in comparison. As compared to the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder that is used in the Altima, the diesel would be much more competitive.
Either way, Nissan + T2B5 diesel = a car I'd love to own!
Posted by: Bike Commuter Dude | 18 April 2007 at 08:52 AM
Mark A. -
diesels are limited to ~4500 RPM by the need for adequate mixture formation and the inherent ignition delay of diesel fuel. Only a select few engines can already go as high as 5000.
Also, third-generation piezo injectors such as those already used in the latest engines from German manufacturers can manage up to 7 injections per cycle very reliably, though most still make do with 2 or 3. Note that late injections are only performed if the exhaust gas aftertreatment systems need extra enthalpy to function properly. This applies during initial catalyst heating, DPF recuperation and NOx store catalyst purge events.
Like everyone else, Nissan will probably need to deploy multiple injections, mild EGR, an oxidation cat, a DPF plus either an NOx store cat, an SCR system or an in-situ ammonia generator (cp. Honda). T2B5 is extremely strict and HCCI combustion is not yet viable for series production.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 18 April 2007 at 01:26 PM
How many people consider fuel economy and the price of fuel when purchasing a vehicle like the Maxima...not nearly as many as would for the Altima.
Your anecodotal evidence ("I'd buy one") is far from representative of the market or we'd have more geo metros, honda crx hf's, honda civic vx's, and similar cars here.
Posted by: Patrick | 18 April 2007 at 02:27 PM
Patrick,
Sales of SUVs are falling in the US (an old link, but the latest I could find on GCC for SUV sales is http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/10/sales_of_fullsi.html).
Sales of hybrid vehicles like the Prius are at record levels (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/04/reported_us_sal.html#more).
Tell me that those events aren't related to at least some of the market waking up. How many diesl models can you buy in the US today? Only one, I think, due to the new regulations. VW reported 15% of their US sales were for TDI models in the 45 states where they used to sell them, so there is SOME demand out there beyond this forum.
Meantime gasoline sales levels are "inelastic" (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/04/us_gasoline_con.html) meaning not everyone has seen the light and traded in their old gaz-guzzlers!
I look forward to seeing the new diesel Maxima on the streets.
Posted by: Floatplane | 18 April 2007 at 04:45 PM
That is not what "inelastic" means in an economic context.
Posted by: Joff Pentz | 18 April 2007 at 10:24 PM
Limit USA VW TDI sales to JUST the Passat and see if it is still 15% market share. The Passat is a competitor to the customers of the Maxima. The Jetta, Rabbit/Golf, Beetle are not.
Posted by: Patrick | 19 April 2007 at 10:18 AM
Why Maxima? Is it on account of an hoped-for attainable higher price premium?
I would personally like to see an Altima 4-cyl TDI so that folks can do an apples-to-apples comparison with the Altima Hybrid. Guess who would win...
Then I would like to see a TDI version of the Sentra (or similar-sized vehicle) to go head-to-head with the likes of the Prius and Civic Hybrids. Again, so folks can compare the real-world benefits of clean diesel technology.
Stage two would be to run them on 100% biio-diesel. Stage 3 would be when someone is brave enough to offer an +80mpg Diesel-Electric Hybrid. Stage 4 would be to run it on 100% bio-diesel.
Bring it on!
Posted by: DieselHybrid | 23 April 2007 at 07:28 AM
The latest European diesels are getting 170-200ps from 2litres, so 150ps (~150hp) will likely be the base specification. With either SCR or a NOx reduction catalyst and DPF it will be very clean as well. Multiple injections are necessary to reduce emissions as well as refinement and are not a reliability issue.
Posted by: Alex Woodrow | 23 April 2007 at 09:12 AM
The article never said what the displacement would be. I would think 3.0 l.
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Posted by: John Chen | 27 December 2007 at 03:38 AM
This great. Nissan is joining the race to green cars. The new engine that Nissan have should be build in all cars.
Posted by: kustomatic | 10 December 2008 at 10:23 PM