Diesel engines were a mainstay of the truck industry for many years, but as countries tighten emission standards in order to protect the environment, they have begun to fall off in use. While a diesel engine produces less CO2 than a traditional gasoline engine, its emits two potentially more dangerous gases: nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide (commonly abbreviated NOx). As such, car companies have been scrambling to develop alternatives to use in their pickups. Recently, Nissan unveiled a brand new VC-Turbo gasoline engine that could replace older diesel engines in its pickups like the Nissan Titan.
The Paris Auto Show this year was significant because of the sheer number of electric car announcements, but also the first public showcase of the #VCTurbo engine. It has all the power people have come to expect from diesel, but doesn’t emit any harmful NOx gases. The engine matches the performance of turbocharged gas engines, including its torque and fuel economy, but with the low CO2 output of traditional diesel engines. It can even perform on the same level as the latest hybrid powertrain engines that have dominated the fuel efficiency leaderboards.
The VC-Turbo engine is capable of these amazing feats due to the introduction of a variable compression ratio. Engines normally have a set compression ratio that can be great for a certain driving situation but lackluster in others, so being able to change this ratio to adapt to the situation will enhance performance and fuel economy. This is sure to have a major impact on car manufacturing, and Reuters recently commented that it, “…may make some of today’s advanced diesel engines obsolete.”
For a look at the most fuel efficient cars made with forward-thinking design, visit our friendly staff at Coast Nissan. And if you can’t make it into our dealership, check out our extensive inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles at www.coastnissan.com.
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Coast Nissan
12100 Los Osos Valley Road
San Luis Obispo, California 93405
Phone: 877.957.9019
Website: www.coastnissan.com
