Nissan Reveals Upcoming Fuel Saving Tech Including New CVT

[kerrton]

Nissan today released information on major technology advances in upcoming vehicles (some as early as next month in the case of the Nissan "March" subcompact), including the release of the next generation CVT, engine idle stop/start system, in-house hybrid techology that they claim will vastly outperform Toyots's system, clean diesel and advanced small displacement 3 and 4 cylinder engines.

I expect some of this technology will make it's way into the Rogue when it's redesigned in the coming years, definately the new CVT, perhaps a redesigned 4-banger, and maybe even start/stop idle. The new CVT sounds impressive with a 30% friction reduction:

"The new XTRONIC CVT utilizes a one-piece structure equipped with a sub-planetary gear. Its compact, lightweight design is 10% smaller and 13% lighter than previous CVT designs, while also achieving a 30% friction reduction for powerful acceleration performance, quiet operation and improved fuel economy. Its gear ratio of 7.3 (versus a conventional CVT's 6.0) is the world's largest among automatic transmissions equipped passenger cars."

Check out all the details here: http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/08/ni ... in-future/

[philipa_240sx]

The new compact CVT was announced in July 2009. I believe it's primarily targeted for Nissan's smaller less powerful engines that need wider gear ratio's to provide good acceleration yet maintain good highway fuel economy.

You can read more about this new CVT here:

post4941015.html

The official press release from Nissan about their new fuel saving technologies along with photos and further information can be found here:

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/20 ... -01-e.html

[kerrton]

Relative to the Rogue, I think the new 1.6 L Turbo is interesting, as it produces horsepower equal to that of the 2.5 L engine and fuel efficiency of a 1.8 L - could this be the future powerplant for the Rogue?

A Newly Developed 1.6-liter Direct Injection Gasoline Turbocharged Engine
Based on the downsizing concept, a new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder MR16DDT engine with Direct Injection Gasoline technology has been developed - combining a turbocharger with a low displacement engine to achieve both higher power output and lower fuel consumption. It also adopts inlet and exhaustion CVTC and hydrogen-free DLC(Diamond Like Carbon) coating, as well as other new technologies such as the new friction-reduced valve spring.
MR16DDT engine
The MR16DDT engine achieves power equivalent to that of a 2.5-liter engine, along with the fuel efficiency equivalent to a 1.8-liter engine. The new engine will be available in the Nissan JUKE in the second half of FY2010.

[kerrton]

Check out the leader in super clean diesel technology, the Nissan Xtrail which received a full re-design recently (why can't they bring this vehicle back to Canada, and introduce it North America wide?):

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/13/ni ... pans-post/

Following its full model change in August 2007, X-TRAIL has held the top position in the annual SUV sales ranking for three consecutive years (from FY2007 through FY2009*1). X-TRAIL's popularity is attributed to customers' high evaluations of its interior with high functionality (such as water repellant seats), spacious luggage area where items can be loaded efficiently, a high level of driving stability, and superior off-road capability delivered by the advanced "ALL MODE 4X4-i" 4WD system. Consumers also enjoy the excellent environmental performance of the Clean Diesel "GT20," which meets Japan's stringent "Post New Long-term Regulations."*2 X-TRAIL is the first vehicle in the world to do so.

Post New Long-term Regulations (Japan's 2009 motor vehicle exhaust emission standards) stipulate that NOx is to be reduced by 47% and PM (particulate matter) by 64% from the levels required by the "New Long-term Regulations" (exhaust emission standards) which have been in effect in Japan since 2005 (applicable to vehicles weighing more than 1,265kg).

[philipa_240sx]

why can't they bring this vehicle back to Canada, and introduce it North America wide?

Likely because it's in the same size class as the Rogue. Actually, the X-trail is even built on the same C-segment platform as the Rogue and Sentra. It's just comes in a different shape. I doubt we'll ever see it here.

[Pescakl1]

They won't bring the X-trail back, but if, at least, they could bring the diesel engines here, that would be nice.

I know, I know, I am dreaming: We are too good for diesel engines in North America (I don't know if we are not diesel worthy or if we are considered too good for this "truck technology"). We seem to only be allowed hybrid cars here, no diesel.

Subaru sells a diesel forester everywhere... except in N.A.,... like all the other manufacturers.

OK, the first manufacturer selling a CUV with a diesel engine will get my money. Ready? Go... I am waiting... still waiting.

[kerrton]

Yes I agree, I should've rephrased my statement, I don't necessarily want the XTrail here but the powertrain definately is impressive so whether it's packaged into the Rogue or Xtrail I don't really care. It's also Interesting how they use a 6-speed trans rather than the CVT like we get in NA.