Nissan today announced it would launch its first clean diesel vehicle in Japan later on this fall. A prototype of the vehicle will be shown at July’s Goup of Eight summit in Toyako, Japan. The prototype will be available for test drives, giving attendees a chance to sample the diesel powerplant co-developed with parent company Renault.
The engine, codenamed M9R, will meet Japan’s emissions regulations that are due to come into effect on October 2009. The X-Trail will get up to 30 percent better fuel economy than its gasoline counterparts, while providing torque numbers similar to Nissan ’s 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine.
While diesel vehicles make up less than 1 percent of the Japanese passenger vehicle market, German competitors are investing heavily into the technology, and Nissan doesn’t want to be caught empty handed when consumer perception of diesels changes in the U.S. At the same time, Nissan announced it will bring a diesel-powered version of its Maxima sedan Stateside in 2010, according to The Detroit News.
Before the G-8 summit, the X-Trail will be on display on June 19-21 at the Integrated Exhibition of the Environment in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
