Nissan to release New Clean Diesel X-TRAIL “20GT”

06/09/2008 - 17:18 ,  ,  ,  ,   Shrawan Raja

Not many of us Indians know that the Nissan X-Trail SUV is sold in this place. Causes for that are the absence of many dealerships and any type of aggressive marketing. Besides, Nissan has recently entered India, and they don't have lots of products on offer, the Teana being the only car sold alongside but a bright future lies ahead of them, no doubt.

Things are different elsewhere though. In Japan, the new X-Trail is just about to enter the market, and there are vital changes in comparison to the existing one. The 2.0-liter diesel engine in the latest car boasts of an amazing 173 PS and far lower CO2 than a comparable 3.5-liter gasoline V6 engine. Nissan also informs us that the new engine would be a lot more refined as a consequence of advanced design and engineering.

However, what catches our attention, is the self-healing clear coat on its body which can nurse and heal minor scratches by itself. Neat!

Entire press release after the jump.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of a new clean diesel X-TRAIL “20GT,” which goes on sale September 18 at Nissan dealers nationwide. The new X-TRAIL 20GT has met Japan’s stringent “Post New Long-term Regulations”*1 – the first vehicle in the world to do so*2.

Setting New Standards
The X-TRAIL 20GT achieves high fuel-efficiency of 15.2km/L under Japan’s 10-15 test mode operation, representing an increase of approximately 30% in fuel economy over a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with the same power output. In addition to its low fuel consumption, the X-TRAIL’s new “M9R” clean diesel engine is more economical to operate, due to the lower price of diesel versus standard gasoline in the Japan market.

In addition to complying with Japan’s stringent “Post New Long-term Regulations” emission standards which stresses high environmental performance, the new M9R clean diesel engine also achieves high levels of driving performance demanded by X-TRAIL owners.

The 2.0-liter M9R engine has the power equivalency of a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, generating maximum power of 127kW(173PS)/3750rpm and maximum torque of 360N?m(36?7kgf?m)/2000rpm. The engine provides high torque at low rpm and delivers ample performance in any driving situation. At the same time, the environmentally–friendly and fuel-efficient M9R engine emits far lower CO2 than a comparable 3.5-liter gasoline V6 engine, achieving excellent emissions performance. The engine design also emphasizes smooth, quiet operation, eliminating unpleasant noise and vibration associated with current diesel powerplants.

New technologies utilized in the M9R engine which reduce emissions, noise and vibrations include:
Emissions Reduction Measures

* Common rail system
* EGR cooler
* Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
* Lean NOx Trap catalysts (LNT)
* Double swirl port

Noise and Vibration Reduction Measures

* Piezo injector
* Balancer shaft
* Highly Rigid Chassis
* Highly Rigid Engine Mount Brackets
* Sound insulation glass

Distinctive Styling and Comfortable Interior
The X-TRAIL 20GT offers versatility, convenience and high levels of dynamic driving pleasure. The front grille was redesigned to the same design found on the popular European version of the X-TRAIL. The new X-TRAIL 20GT also adds Nissan’s advanced Scratch Guard paint (offered as standard equipment in six colors), which self-repairs minor scratches in the paint’s clearcoat surface.

Inside, the comfortable, high utility X-TRAIL interior adds a number of new features for the 20GT model, including new sporty seat fabric, step lamps, Intelligent Key and additional audio speakers (6 speakers total).

The new clean diesel X-TRAIL 20GT is offered with ALL MODE 4×4i and 5-speed manual transmission. It is priced at 2,999,850 yen (including consumption tax).

*1: In Post New Long-Term Regulation, regulation values of NOx is reduced by 47% and the values of PM (particulate matter) by 64% from those of “New long-term regulation” which has been in effect since 2005 (applicable to vehicles weighing more than 1,265kg). Post New Long-Term Regulation is effective for new model vehicles beginning Oct. 2009, and for existing models and imported vehicles, starting Sept. 2010.

*2: As of 4, Sept. 2008.


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