Production Version of the Renault-Nissan 3.0L V6 dCi Diesel; Targeted for the Maxima in the US
19 November 2008
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| The 3.0-liter V6 dCi 235. Click to enlarge. |
The Renault-Nissan Alliance unveiled the production version of its new 3.0-liter V6 dCi Diesel engine on the Laguna Coupé at the Paris motorshow in October 2008. In 2007, the Alliance had shown a concept version of the engine. (Earlier post.)
This is the first diesel V6 developed and produced by the Alliance, and will equip upper-range vehicles to meet the demand for engines that are powerful and yet fuel- and CO2-efficient. The engine will be used in the upcoming US Tier 2 Bin 5 compliant Nissan Maxima in 2010.
The Alliance decided to use a V architecture to enable the engine to be either fitted longitudinally, as it is often the case in Nissan/Infiniti vehicles or transversally, as in a Laguna.
The new V6 dCi engine is derived from the 2.0 dCi, and benefited from the know-how acquired during this 4-cylinder engine development. As the upper parts of the V6 dCi are very similar to these of the 2.0 dCi, the development of the new engine was faster and less expensive, according to the companies. Nissan engineers were fully involved in the engine development to make it sure that the engine will fully adapt to Nissanâs vehicles.
In addition to its application Laguna Coupé, the new engine will be offered on Laguna Sedan and Laguna Estate, in early 2009. Nissan will apply the engine on the new version of Maxima in the US and on Pathfinder and Navarra in Europe. It will also be available on Infiniti EX, FX and M models in Europe.
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| Performance of the V6 dCi 235. Click to enlarge. |
The new V6 Diesel engine is a high-displacement multi-valve V powertrain, and offers the highest level of torque in the Renault lineup with 450 Nm (332 lb-ft). It supports quick acceleration (7.3 seconds 0-100 kph on Laguna Coupé dCi 235). On Laguna Coupé, the new V6 delivers 235 hp (175 kW), which makes it Renaultâs second most powerful engine offering, after the 3.5L gas engine (245 hp). Future versions of this engine will be commercialized with more power and more torque—it can generate up to 265 hp (198 kW) and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) when put longitudinally on a car.
While the V6 dCi derives from the 4-cylinder in-line 2.0 dCi launched in 2005, Alliance engineers optimized the combustion chamber design to improve the trade-off between emission levels and fuel efficiency.
The Laguna Coupé dCi 235 uses a 1,600-bar double common rail, with 7-hole piezo injectors. Compression ratio is 16:1. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 7.2L/100km (33 mpg US), with 192 g/km of CO2.
The new 3.0L dCi 235 V6 engine will be produced at the Cléon plant, 80 miles west of Paris. This plant, which celebrates its 50th birthday in 2008, produces the upper range gasoline and diesel engines of the Renault group.
Renault-Cléon produces about one-third of Renaultâs engines and sells part of its production to Nissan and Suzuki. Cléon also produces 5- and 6-speed gearboxes. Cléon was chosen by the Alliance to produce the new engine because it favors economies of scale. The new V6 dCi derives from the 2.0 dCi, which is also produced at Cléon. Producing the two engines in the same plant makes it possible to reduce logistics costs and to benefit from a volume effect.
In France, the 2.0dCi engine powers the Vel Satis, a relatively large luxury car. Why do we need the six cylinder here? We're never going to get to where we should be in terms of fuel economy if we don't stop buying overpowered cars. I would also love to see Renaults (and Peugeots and Citroens) back in the US, instead of having their engines power Nissans. Sure, 15 years ago, their cars were junk, but they're not anymore and we're missing out.
Posted by: Peter | 19 November 2008 at 08:44 AM
I agree that we do not NEED the 3.0 liter version, and that the 2.0 would be good for most people. However, most people in the USA still envisage old, slow, stinky diesels. The new engines from M-B, BMW, Honda, Subaru, and now Nissan/Renault are acting to break that stereotype. By giving us only the big, fat, performance versions of these euro-diesels, American's reintroduction to diesel will be one of megatorque and great gas mileage.
If we were to get the 2.0 liter diesel, as you and I would like, the new first impression to the average driver would be mega-mileage and great torque, but it would be kinda sluggish on our fast-accelerating freeways.
Posted by: Bike Commuter Dude | 19 November 2008 at 10:10 AM
Americans have been able to get a 2.0 diesel since 1997. It's called a Jetta TDI. Mine gets 46mpg combined.
Posted by: Joseph | 19 November 2008 at 10:15 AM
Way over powered! Most people will NEVER use all that extra power. Some are even a bit startled by it. It is in fact dangerous for some with limited driving skill.
Posted by: | 19 November 2008 at 11:18 AM
Damn those cheese eating surrender monkeys ;-)
Posted by: DS | 19 November 2008 at 11:57 AM
How are you going to put 550Nm of torque through 2 wheels onto the road?
Posted by: | 19 November 2008 at 12:57 PM
Its called traction control.
265 hp and 400 lb-ft is no joke, I wonder what GVW vehicle this engine is designed for. The most substantial savings in fuel should be from sticking this lump in all the large stuff they make. The V8 market share, in North America at least, was begging to be taken by V6 diesels...until diesel prices went up.
Posted by: DC | 19 November 2008 at 02:42 PM
"Way over powered! Most people will NEVER use all that extra power."
LOL!!! Just like most humans. WAY overfed. Most people will NEVER use the quantity of energy that they have available and consume. Therefore the get fat. We also need people to rant and whine about this terrible waste of resources. The government MUST tax people on this excess. Lets say $1000 per pound, annually, that each person is overweight (over 7% body fat for men, 10% for women). This is so cool playing along with the people who tell others what they do and don't need and how Big Government should pass laws to stop it!!!
Posted by: | 02 December 2008 at 05:14 PM