A new-look Primera and a brand new engine will take Nissan back in to the 1.8-litre fleet market this year.
Nissan’s new 1.8-litre engine is one of the cleanest petrol engines in its class. Economical, refined and eager, the new lightweight engine will extend the Primera’s undisputed driver appeal to a significantly wider audience — nearly one in three D-segment cars sold in the UK are 1.8-litre derivatives.
The all-new four-cylinder, 16-valve unit will appear alongside a substantially revised 2.0-litre version, 1.6 litre petrol unit and the existing 2.0-litre turbo diesel in a dramatically redesigned Primera, on sale later this summer.
The new engine is designed to enhance the driving appeal of the Primera with the lowest possible impact on the environment. The new QG18DE engine not only exceeds European legislation level emissions due to come into effect in 2001, but even tougher environmental legislation not due until 2005.
The key to the new engine’s low emissions — low enough to qualify for environmental tax credits in Germany — and class leading fuel economy is a series of high-tech features including variable valve timing and direct ignition. The new engine is among the first petrol engines to feature swirl control valve technology.
Together with powerful new 32-bit engine management systems the UK-developed new technologies ensure the 1.8-litre engine does not dilute the Primera’s sporting appeal. The new engine develops 97 per cent of its maximum torque at low engine speeds between 2400-4800rpm. Peak torque of 151Nm is generated at just 2800rpm, peak power of 113PS at 5600rpm. In European mixed-use economy tests, the new Primera four-door returned over 38mpg.
The 1769cc engine is based around a new iron block, with an aluminium cylinder head and lightweight plastic rocker cover. It was developed to meet the most stringent emission regulations yet published in Europe — the CED IV or E4.
The engine features both Nissan Valve Timing Control System (NVCS) and Nissan Direct Ignition System (NDIS) for the first time in Europe. NVCS offers full variable inlet valve timing for better response and improved mid-range torque, inspiring greater confidence and reducing time spent in the overtaking lane.
The NDIS coil-on-plug system is more precise and more reliable than traditional distributors improving economy and improving emissions while reducing time in the service bay.
A major innovation is the inclusion of a swirl control valve in the engine’s inlet tract. The new QG18DE is one of the first petrol engines to adopt the system. The valve is closed during warm-up and at low engine speeds redirecting air flowing into the inlet ports. The re-routed airway increases tumble swirl in the combustion chamber enhancing combustion for reduced fuel consumption and for improved emissions.
The swirl control valve is one of four new features specifically designed to reduce the production of harmful hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (HC and NOx) in the new Primera.
A new high-ring piston design also works to reduce hydrocarbon emissions; control of exhaust gas recirculation is improved with the switch to an electronically-controlled stepper motor; and a smaller, high-density exhaust catalyst with a 50 per cent greater internal surface area improves emissions control with no gain in weight. In fact the new unit is lighter.
The new engine also includes a series of innovations designed to further reduce noise and harshness. A new inverted tooth design of timing chain dramatically reduces friction and is almost silent.
Durability testing of the new engine design is exhaustive and includes Nissan’s unmatched over-speed durability test. The test involves running the engine on a dynamometer at speeds 15 per cent over the red line for 40 hours continuously.
On road testing and fine-tuning of the engine and new transmissions were carried out at NETC’s bases in Cranfield and Washington, Tyne and Wear. In addition Nissan engineers in Barcelona, Spain were also involved in durability testing. The new engine will be cast and assembled at Nissan’s standard-setting Washington factory ready for introduction in the new Primera later this year.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Roberts Manager, Product Affairs 01923 899930
E-mail: andrew.roberts@nissan.co.uk
Linda Robinson Product Press Officer 01923 899930
E-mail: linda.robinson@nissan.co.uk
24628/270499