- Mokka with all-new 1.6-litre ‘Whisper Diesel’ makes world debut
- Frugal new-generation all-aluminium diesel unit
- Achieves 58.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 109g/km
- Exemplary running refinement and lightweight design
Vauxhall’s Mokka compact SUV was the latest model to get the 1.6-litre (136PS) ‘Whisper Diesel’ engine when it was unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show today.
Already available on Astra, Meriva and Zafira Tourer, the compact four-cylinder unit will replace the current 1.7-litre diesel in the Mokka line-up. The Mokka has been a sales sensation with over 270,000 sold of which more than 35,000 have been registered in the UK.
The new unit gives more power and torque – up 6PS and 20Nm – from a smaller displacement, as well as significantly lower fuel consumption. Part of a new family of Vauxhall all-aluminium diesel engines, the Euro 6 compliant 136PS unit reaches 85PS per litre, delivering 320Nm of torque.
Performance isn’t compromised with the Mokka 1.6-litre CDTi accelerating from 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds and making the transition from 50-75mph in fifth gear in just 10.3 seconds. Maximum speed is 118mph.
The Whisper Diesel is also extremely economical and benefits from Vauxhall’s all-new six-speed manual transmission and Start/Stop as standard. Fuel economy is 58.9mpg combined and emissions are low at 109g/km CO2.
New benchmark in running refinement
Engineers have achieved best-in-class values for noise generation, vibration and running refinement, the result of a clear focus on quietness and smoothness that characterised the engine’s entire concept, design and development process. State-of-the-art computer aided engineering simulations and scores of optimisation loops were used to assess the noise characteristics of each component and sub-system even before the first prototype engine was built. This makes the new 1.6 CDTi one of the quietest engines in its class with exceptional running smoothness.
In addition to numerous measures to improve running refinement, engineers also focused on saving weight, using aluminium instead of cast iron for the engine block – a first for diesel engine production at Vauxhall. The crankshaft bedplate and cylinder head are also in aluminium, giving a total weight saving of 20kg.
State-of-the-art components for high performance with low environmental impact
Other contributors to its strong and clean performance are the variable turbine geometry turbocharger and high-pressure, common-rail fuel injection system. Injector nozzle pressures of 2,000 bar, a 25 per cent increase over previous Vauxhall diesel engines, enables up to 10 injection pulses per cylinder cycle.
This ensures high power, improved fuel atomisation and efficient mixing with the air intake charge. To comply with the Euro 6 emissions standard in the Mokka, the 1.6 CDTi requires a lean NOx trap, an exhaust after-treatment process upstream of the diesel particulate filter that captures and reduces nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gases.
The all-new 1.6 CDTi in the Mokka is fitted as standard with Start/Stop, braking energy recuperation and a low-friction, six-speed manual gearbox, which ensures silky smooth and more precise gear shifting. Numerous changes to internal components and shifting mechanisms, as well as the transmission’s integration in the vehicle, give a noticeable improvement in driving comfort.
The combination of the new turbo diesel and manual transmission is offered for both front- and all-wheel drive, while a six-speed automatic is also available with front-wheel drive.
The new Mokka engine will be available at Vauxhall retailers from early 2015.
