Nissan to Showcase X-TRAIL Diesel Prototype at 2008 G8 Summit
09 June 2008
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| The M9R diesel. |
Nissan Motor will showcase an X-TRAIL diesel prototype featuring the 2.0-liter M9R diesel engine at the 2008 Integrated Exhibition of the Environment in Hokkaido (19-21 June) as well at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit’s International Media Center (7-9 July).
Japan is slated to introduce its new emission regulatory standards—“Post New Long-term Regulations”—for all new vehicles starting in October 2009, and all replacement / imported models in September, 2010. Nissan plans to introduce the X-TRAIL diesel, which will comply with the more stringent standards, in September—ahead of the regulations’ implementation.
The 2009 diesel regulations, while maintaining the current requirements for CO and HC, further reduce the NOx and PM standards. The permitted NOx level drops from 0.15 g/km under the New Long Term regulations to 0.08 g/km under the Post New Long Term regime. Acceptable PM levels decrease from 0.014 g/km to 0.005 g/km. These levels for 2009 in Japan are equivalent to the coming Euro 6 levels targeted for 2014. (The permitted NOx levels remain higher than that of US BIN 5/ LEV2.)
The new diesel is based on the M9R diesel engine co-developed with Alliance-partner Renault (the Renault version is the 2.0 dCi, as applied in the new Laguna, Scénic II, Mégane II, Vel Satis and Espace). Technology applied on the engine includes:
- Piezo-electric-controlled injectors;
- Common rail system (1,600 bar);
- Variable nozzle turbos;
- Double swirl ports to allow better efficient mixture of air and fuel;
- Diesel particulate filters (DPF);
- Lean NOx-trap catalysts; and
- Control-system for precise modulation of the DPF and catalysts in tandem with the driving conditions.
Nissan is also developing an advanced diesel powertrain that includes a new HC-NOx trap for emissions control that may be able to meet California’s standard for super-ultra-low emission vehicles (SULEVs). To meet the SULEV standards, hydrocarbons (NMOG) in vehicle emissions must be exhaust reduced by about 90% and NOx levels must be reduced by 70% versus US Tier2 Bin5 and California LEV standards. (Earlier post.)
Does this favorably compare to current or pending US EPA or CARB emissions requirements? I would hope that this would offer an improvement in fuel efficiency + emissions that we can expect to see on US roads in the near future.
Posted by: DieselHybrid | 09 June 2008 at 06:48 AM
FTA
Does Not meet T2Bin5 = Not for US
Posted by: Joseph | 09 June 2008 at 09:13 AM
Call me crazy, but...
Why does Nissan qualify this "prototype" engine as showcase technology worthy of the G8 summit? What is newsworthy or significant about yet another dirty, non-compliant diesel ICE? (This coming from a strong clean diesel advocate.)
Posted by: | 09 June 2008 at 10:08 AM
oooopps, that was me...
Posted by: DieselHybrid | 09 June 2008 at 10:08 AM
It is not even close to T2 B5 that the foreign automakers now know how to, and will build, for the US market.
Even as they vend vehicles with much more pollution to their own citizens. All with the help, and cooperation of their concerned, green governments.
Posted by: | 09 June 2008 at 10:08 AM
DieselHybrid:
I'm with you. Another diesel vehicle is not really good news.
Is a Nissan X-trail diesel hybrid coming out soon?
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 June 2008 at 12:03 PM
if you think 0.08 g/km of NOx is "dirty", I suggest you need a little reality check. the fact that it meets Euro VI standards 5 years early is newsworthy in itself. your beloved BEVs only push pollution back to the power station, you are only as clean as whatever goes up the smokestacks.
Posted by: eric | 09 June 2008 at 04:48 PM
Who cares, at this point if the US market is not going to get better high mileage cars near future, who cares.
Stupid not to make it T2B5. Money or not.
Posted by: Paul | 09 June 2008 at 05:29 PM
"Nissan is also developing an advanced diesel powertrain that includes a new HC-NOx trap for emissions control that may be able to meet California’s standard for super-ultra-low emission vehicles (SULEVs). To meet the SULEV standards, hydrocarbons (NMOG) in vehicle emissions must be exhaust reduced by about 90% and NOx levels must be reduced by 70% versus US Tier2 Bin5 and California LEV standards. (Earlier post.)"
Did you simply not see this entire paragraph or are you choosing to ignore it? No, it won't hit T2B5 in its current iteration for foreign markets, hence the above... What they send us probably won't be valid for export to those same foreign markets, as we don't concern ourselves with CO2 output.
At least bash in a meaningful fashion...
Posted by: Joe | 09 June 2008 at 06:36 PM
Joe;
OK while I prefer not to bash at all, if you want meaningful bashing
"Nissan is also developing... that MAY be able to meet California’s standard for super-ultra-low emission vehicles (SULEVs)."
The word MAY should be read to mean "might be" or "possibly will be" or "could hopefully be" as portrayed in this sentence. This indicates possibility and not certainty. I count nothing till it is.
As the engine exists and has been tested it doesn't meet even the announced US standard and so Joseph and the others rightly pointed out. I, of course, hope for the best in this regard and will hope that Nissan can make a working filter, but your defense of them is misplaced until this is accomplished.
Further as I see the point of this news item the folks at Nissan are introducing this as a major innovation, which it might be, I lack the engineering credentials to comment, but they are not doing so on its efficiency improvements (at least in this article) but on its pollution control characteristics, which are not astounding on an international basis, as is being pointed out by the other posters. I am sure that they read the paragraph you point out, as did I, but they weighted it differently then did you. That future hypothetical engine and emissions control system may be noteworthy indeed, but that is not what is being exhibited.
Also I note you make mention of our lack of regulation of CO2. I point out that the article doesn't mention any regulation on CO2 within Japan either. It does mention Carbon Monoxide (CO) but not Carbon Dioxide (CO2) I am not sure but I believe American regulations also limit Carbon Monoxide outputs. In doing a brief search I can find no mention of regulation of Carbon Dioxide emissions on a per vehicle basis in either country, only vague statements about changing transportation habits and firm commitments to goals which are fine, but are not actual regulations. Europe seems to have set actual CO2 limits on an industry wide basis, and even introduced a per kilometer driven standard, but has sadly postponed its implementation, or at least the articles I can find so indicate.
I understand that progress in improving standards can never go fast enough for some folks, but the fact is that the US does in fact have some very good standards and is constantly improving them. I have no doubt that you will see CO2 standards very soon, if the results of the federal suit instituted by California and others is successful. The Supreme Courts ruling on this and the pending change in administrations whoever is elected(both McCain and Obama agree on the need to combat global warming) as well as congressional pressure, almost insure it. Indeed while its round about, the current and proposed changes to CAFE do constitute a sort of CO2 regulation, as CO2 emissions can be linked directly to engine efficiencies. There is therefore no need to sneer at Americas regulatory efforts, we are as bound up in red tape as one might wish and it will only increase in the future.
My regards sir.
Larry
Posted by: Larry | 09 June 2008 at 09:51 PM
Larry,
It said "may" meet SULEV. It did not say "may" meet T2B5.
Posted by: Patrick | 10 June 2008 at 11:23 AM
interesting european opinion for anyone to peruse if they wish about the benefits of engines like the Nissan 2.0 DCi.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/222471/mike_rutherfords_column.html
Posted by: | 10 June 2008 at 02:31 PM
I'm amazed that Nissan could attempt to develop a turbodiesel engine that could meet CARB SULEV standard, which is equivalent of EPA Tier 2 Bin 3 standard for exhaust emissions. If Nissan succeeds, they could have their entire car line 28-33% more fuel efficient than now but still meet extremely stringent emission standards by 2012-2013 time frame.
Posted by: Raymond | 11 June 2008 at 01:19 PM
Diesel engines are the most efficient engines available for cars or trucks. Diesel fuel is cheaper to make than gasoline. All new vehicles should be built as diesel, especially diesel hybrids. There are filters and catalysts and methods to remove all types of particles and contaminants. A version of the Capstone turbine that burns diesel needs no catalysts or filters to meet current diesel standards. If you really want low pollution, use a TH!NK or other electric car. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 12 June 2008 at 10:57 AM