Return of the Diesel Maxima!

[AZhitman]

Nissan Motor Co. Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said Wednesday the Japanese automaker would introduce a diesel version of the Nissan Maxima in the United States in 2010.

Ghosn, in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, said the vehicle would comply with emissions standards in all 50 states and provide improved fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

"The launch of the Maxima will mark the start of a broader diesel strategy in the United States," Ghosn said, adding the company was studying diesel vehicles in other markets.

Ghosn, who also serves as chief executive of Nissan's French partner, Renault SA, said the automaker was developing alternative vehicles to be "part of the solution" as industries attempt to reduce emissions.

"It is difficult to say which technologies will prove to be the most popular among consumers, and preferences vary from one world market to another. ... When a clear market trend emerges, we will be ready to offer customers what they want," Ghosn said.

The government has implemented tighter emissions standards for diesel engines while requiring new ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. The fuel and clean diesel technology work in tandem to reduce emissions. In 2010, diesel engines will be required to emit about 90 percent less nitrogen oxide.

Automakers have been turning to diesels amid projections of increased interest in the vehicles, which are popular in Europe. J.D. Power and Associates has estimated that diesels will grow from 3.6 percent of the U.S. market to about 9 percent by 2013.

Ghosn, speaking to reporters, declined to provide a new estimate for when the automaker will meet a key sales target. Nissan said earlier this week that it may need to push back its goal of selling 4.2 million vehicles worldwide in the fiscal year ending March 2009.

Nissan, Japan's third-largest automaker, faced weakened performance last year because of a lack of new models in North America and sluggish sales in Japan.

Asked whether he was interested in seeking an alliance with DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group, Ghosn said his two companies were focused on their own results. Ghosn unsuccessfully sought an alliance with General Motors Corp. last year, and billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, who encouraged a Nissan-Renault-GM alliance, is among the potential buyers for Chrysler.

"You don't want to engage in anything like this if any of your stakeholders are worried about your own company. You want to make sure your company is on track for growth and profitability before envisioning something else," he said.

"I still believe in the power of alliances. But it has to happen at the right moment, and I don't think for us it's the right moment," Ghosn said.

[MinisterofDOOM]

This is really cool news.

With Nissan late to the hybrid game and their CVT not producing the hybrid-fighting results they were hoping for (though that will likely change as the the technology progresses), diesel is a great alternative.

My dad and I were actually talking about this a couple days ago. We were saying that we wished more automakers would offer diesel engine options in US models, and how they would become a lot more popular today than they were in the 80s since the technology for diesel engines has come a long way toward cleaning up. They don't stink or throw clouds of soot anymore, and they've always been cleaner than gasoline engines from a noxious emissions standpoint.I also think that diesel engines are a lot more commuter-friendly than any of the other alternatives around today. Diesel engines make tons of torque, which is perfect for stop-and-go traffic. To me that's a far better option than the convoluted on-off-on gas engine with electric assist that Toyota has popularized.

The biggest problem I see for diesel engines in the US is that unlike Europe, our diesel fuel is often more expensive than gasoline. In Europe, diesel fuel is cheaper than petrol, which helps fuel the diesel-love there. That's not the case here, which means diesels must offer fuel economy that much better if they want to remain cost-effective and keep their appeal.

For me, though, diesels offer another benefit: power. BMW's latest 3 series in diesel guise makes 286 hp and a blissful 428 lb ft of torque--at 2000 rpm. That torque number alone is enough to make me seriously consider the diesel over the gasoline version. The 335d Touring (wagon) is the ideal 3 series in my eyes. Boost-hounds should love the car, too: max boost is 42 pounds.

Nissan could do a lot with a diesel Maxima.

I hope the next step in their diesel lineup progression is a diesel Titan, even if it's still only a half-ton.

[hannibal]

Awesome! +1 for Nissan...

[A.Tech]

Diesel would be awesome but yea, the price and Gas stations that carry it could be an issue. Only major gas Stations carry diesel fuel most of the time. The only other con I can think of is some Diesel engines making that nice Diesel sound that they are known for making. you know that tough rough running sound were you know it is the true power of a diesel. If Nissan cannot stop or reduce that sound that the engine naturally makes, There will not be too many business executives that will get the Maxima I bet.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I think diesel availability must vary from region to region. I don't think there's a single gas station in the entire state of Utah that doesn't have at least two diesel pumps. At least not one that I've seen.Of course, if more manufacturers made diesel models, more stations would start selling diesel.

I'm curious what the motor will be. Last time Nissan offered a diesel in the US was in the '83 Maxima, and it's engine was a just a converted L28 (280Z motor).

[maxhopper]

Another thing to consider is that a diesel engine making gobs more torque would not be very feasilbe in a fwd configuration. Could that signal a change back to rwd for the Max?

As for the diesel engine noise noted above: the new Ford 6.4 diesel, is surpisingly quiet. From what I've read, Ford used a lot of the European diesel technology for the new engine.

[A.Tech]

or hopefully AWD!!!

[mtcookson]

and it's engine was a just a converted L28 (280Z motor).

I was always under the impression the LD28 was specifically designed as a diesel engine whereas GM and some other manufacturers' diesels at the time were converted from gasoline engines.

[MinisterofDOOM]

It's definitely a much more durable and solid diesel than the crap Oldsmobile diesel was, but it's still the same L-block found in so many other Nissan/Datsun models. Internals are interchangeable with other L-series motors. The fact that it was such a successful and reliable diesel is a testament to the quality of the L-series.

[mtcookson]

Yeah, I know the crank is a popular upgrade. 3.1 L28 stroker FTW!

[audtatious]

All we need are Maxima's that spew smoke like a trucker...

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, I know the crank is a popular upgrade. 3.1 L28 stroker FTW!

If I ever end up buying a first gen, that's on the short list of powerplant options.

[Beancooker]

RWD, with a diesel engine.... 1 word. TURBOCHARGE!!!!

I'd just call dieselman, and have him bring his knowledge to Rain City, and do that **** up right!