FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 August 2006
Nissan begins product charge at Hanover Motor Show
· Brand new Cabstar makes World Premiere
· Cabstar: first product on new global LCV platform
· Unique Cabstar Hybrid Concept
· New Atleon features new engine range
· Updated Primastar and Interstar
Nissan’s participation at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA) in Hanover, Germany, will see the World Premiere of the all-new Cabstar light duty truck, as well as a display of a hybrid-powered Cabstar concept vehicle, a new range of engines on the new Atleon light truck, plus enhancements to Primastar and Interstar.
Nissan has set ambitious commitments for its global LCV business, one of four breakthrough areas identified under the company’s Value-Up business plan. By fiscal year 2007, the company plans to double operating profit margin to 8% and increase volumes by 40% to 434,000 units worldwide compared with fiscal 2004.
This ambitious product offensive will form the backbone of those objectives.
New Cabstar
The new Cabstar has been developed on a brand new platform which will be used globally and the configuration of Cabstar remains true to its predecessor, using a Cabin-Over-Engine (COE) arrangement.
Designed and developed in Europe and Japan by Nissan as a global product, the new Cabstar will provide best in class payload combined with compactness, impressive manoeuvrability and best in class cargo length.
The most obvious external change to the new Cabstar is its dramatically restyled cabin, available in Single Tilt Cab and fixed Double Cab versions. Offering a substantial improvement in internal dimensions over the outgoing Cabstar, the new cabin is 80mm taller, 100mm longer and 70mm wider than before.
Designed to build on the Cabstar’s already well-known strengths of economical running costs, all-round comfort, ease-of-use, efficient load-carrying capability, as well as strong and safe performance, the new Cabstar will offer an even more attractive proposition in the competitive 2.8 up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight category.
In terms of engine line-up, three new engine options are available. A 2.5-litre common rail diesel engine in two levels of tune provides 110 and 130PS (81 and 96kW respectively) and 250 and 270Nm of torque. The third new engine option is the ZD30 3.0-litre. Power is 150PS (110kW) and torque is 350Nm. All engines meet Euro IV regulations.
Cabstar Hybrid Concept
Nissan and ZF, the German driveline technology specialists, have collaborated to demonstrate the potential of hybrid engine technology application on a commercial vehicle.
Promising improved fuel consumption, reduced emissions and lower running costs, the key to this special Cabstar prototype is its hybrid powertrain which uses ZF prototype products featuring a powerful electric motor to supplement the conventional 3.0-litre diesel engine.
Nissan’s brief to ZF was to develop a state-of-the-art hybrid vehicle without compromising performance, comfort and ability.
ZF’s solution has been to develop a parallel
hybrid powertrain with a powerful electric motor (eMotor powered by an
ion-lithium battery) supplementing the Cabstar’s conventional diesel engine:
the concept is based on a truck powered by Nissan’s
3.0-litre common-rail diesel
developing 150PS (110kW). The Hybrid Cabstar is expected to cut fuel bills by
up to 30 per cent as well as removing polluting emissions in city centres.
Enhanced Atleon
The Atleon has been extensively enhanced with a new look, new equipment and, most significantly, a range of new engines to meet Euro IV regulations. GVW ranges from 3.5 to 15 tons.
The adoption of the new Nissan ZD30 and Cummins ISBe engines is arguably the most significant aspect of the new Atleon.
At the entry end of the Atleon range can be found a version of Nissan’s ZD30 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel that powers the top end of the Cabstar range. The ZD unit develops 150PS (110kW) and 350Nm of constant torque from 1600 to 3000rpm.
The highly acclaimed Cummins ISBe range of four- and six-cylinder common rail diesel engines can be found on the higher end versions, giving the new Atleon better performance and lower operating costs thanks to its impressive fuel economy, long service intervals and even better durability.
For its application in Atleon, Nissan has chosen four variations on the ISBe theme. The two four-cylinder units produce 140 and 185PS of power and 550 and 700Nm of torque respectively. The two six-cylinder units produce 221 and 250PS, while in terms of torque develop 850 and 970Nm respectively.
New seat fabrics and revised combi dials complete the interior enhancements.
Styling changes echo elements found on the new Cabstar and include a full width black grille, and new front deflectors beneath the turn indicators, which enhance the truck image of the vehicle.
Primastar and Interstar
The Primastar’s engine range has been updated with one petrol and three diesel engines being offered, all developed with Alliance partner Renault. The newest unit is a 2.0litre dCi turbocharged diesel, which is available in two levels of tune. Developing 90PS and 115PS (66kW and 84kW) respectively, both engines are fully Euro 4 compliant.
As well as improved power outputs, torque figures are also increased: the 90PS version develops 240Nm of torque while the 115PS version develops 290Nm.
A third diesel offering is a 2.5-litre dCi unit developing 150PS (107kW) and 320Nm of torque at 1500rpm. The engine employs a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to achieve Euro 4 compliance.
Finally, a Euro 4 compliant petrol engine is also available. The 2.0-litre 16 valve unit is derived from the engine found in many Renault passenger cars and develops 120PS (88kW) and 190Nm of torque.
These new engines are mated to a new six-speed gearbox. The new gearbox is available either as a conventional manual or, as an option on the 150PS diesel, in semi-automatic form.
Inside a revised dashboard incorporates new instruments as well as various coloured accents to differentiate between the models. The minibus, for example, has a strong passenger car feel thanks to its new trim, deep carpets and chromed colour panels and switches in place of the simple black switches and panels of the van.
To add convenience, other features traditionally found on passenger cars have been added. Among those new options are speed adaptive intelligent wiping, rain sensing wipers, one-touch electric windows, automatic headlights and “friendly lighting”.
The most significant change for the 2007 Interstar is a revised engine range based on the Alliance-developed 2.5-litre dCi unit that also serves in Primastar. For Interstar it is available in three levels of tune to give a broad range of capability versus low running costs.
Based closely on the 2.5-litre dCi engine used previously, the engines in the new Interstar have been reworked to ensure compliance with Euro 4 emissions legislation.
Power and torque figures for the entry level version remain at 100PS and 260Nm, but there’s an improvement in torque for the 120PS version, which rises to 300Nm.
Power in the top model rises from 136PS to 150PS, though torque remains at 320Nm, with DPF as standard.
Nissan can be found at stand B20 in Hall 16 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Hanover. There will be a press conference at 10am on Wednesday 20th September given by Andy Palmer, Corporate Vice President, Light Commercial Vehicles, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
ends…
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
|
Gloria Maydew Email: |
Press Communications Manager |
01923 899937 |
|
Wayne Bruce Email: |
Communications Director |
01923 899930 |
All news releases and pictures can be downloaded from the Newspress website at www.newspress.co.uk
51104/300806
