Germany: Volkswagen Bin 5 engine announced; Jetta TDI withdrawn from US market
Friday, January 05, 2007, AutomotiveWorld.com
Volkswagen has announced what it claims is its "cleanest ever" TDI engine in a test version of its existing Jetta sedan. The new 2.0 litre common rail I4 turbocharged diesel engine meets the new Tier 2/Bin 5 emission standards of California, considered to be the most stringent in the world. This standard also now applies in four other US states: Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine.
Volkswagen has not been able to import the existing Jetta TDI into the US since the new regulations came into effect on 1 January. It will, however, restart sales of diesel-engined Jettas from spring 2008, by which time a production version of the new engine will be in production. All North American market Jetta production takes place at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico. Sales of diesel Jettas in other markets are not affected: Bin 5 applies only to the US, for now.
The company claims that nitrogen oxide (NOx) levels have been reduced by 90% during tests carried out on the Jetta Concept Car fitted with the new engine. The company says it was able to achieve this goal through development of the engine and the use of new emission post-treatment technology.
The new technology that Volkswagen refers to includes two systems connected to the oxidation catalytic converter and the particle filter in the exhaust system. Refering to the Jetta, the company says the new NOx reservoir catalytic converter technology is currently being tested for car models below the Passat class.
Larger and heavier Volkswagen diesel models will instead feature a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalytic converter. The converter uses an aqueous solution, which is transported in an additional tank made from either stainless steel or plastic. This solution is continuously injected into the exhaust system using a metering valve. The dose of liquid is minimal and the tank will need to be topped up only as part of scheduled servicing by Volkswagen dealers.
Volkswagen is a member of the BlueTec project, which also includes Audi and DaimlerChrysler. The alliance aims to produce cleaner, more efficient diesel engines for mass production. The first (Mercedes-Benz) vehicles that use this system have just gone on sale in the US.
The Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV concept from the recent Los Angeles motor show is highly likely to be sold in the US from 2008 with SCR technology in its exhaust system. The concept version was said to be fitted with a Bluetec engine. As yet, Audi has not announced any plans for diesel SUVs or sedans for the US market but is expected to do so later this year.
Published on Friday, January 05, 2007
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