Nissan might bring diesels to the US.

[ekool]

Nissan, presumably helped by big brother Renault, might bring diesel versions of its big trucks and SUVs to the U.S. to combat consumer reaction to high gas prices. The automaker would follow the Big 3 in such a move, although the domestics offer diesel engines as an option more for their copious amounts of useful torque than their gas mileage. We’re unclear which angle Nissan would choose to market these diesel-powered vehicles.

Sales of Nissan’s Titan pickup have risen 10 percent so far this year; however, CEO Charles Ghosn cited rising gas prices as a threat to future sales of big trucks and SUVs.

Via: autoblog.com

[Glenn Russell]

diesel is a great idea! torque is great now...but fuel econ could be better...though it's better than toyota now

[ss350z]

Any new info on the upcoming Diesel's?

[hemiquadcab]

I haven't heard any, nope. But I want to.

[TitanBlue]

I hadn't heard of Nissan Diesels before. Today, I was visisting my mechanic and noticed he was working on a small cabover medium duty truck. It was a "UD" brand, and of course, said NISSAN on the engine. My first sighting. They may be all around us and we just don't know it. Could be interesting to look up UD and see what they are offering, even if it wouldn't fit our application.

UPDATE: Current Nissan Diesel Engines for Light Duty and Medium Duty UD Trucks are rated 175HP/347TQ and 230HP/503TQ respectively. Not great numbers for us, but reputation seems good from what my mechanic shop knew of them. I'd been surprised to hear anything less. Probably very common in Japan.

[stnjohnson]

From what I understand, Nissan is one of the largest diesel suppliers worldwide. Just not in the US market usually. I've been hearing about a 3/4 ton and diesel engine from both Nissan and Toyota both. I will certainly get back into diesels when they come out with one.

As for what angle Nissan will take with that segment, remember how they introduced the Titan? Biggest, baddest, most powerful. As a japanese truck manufacturer they would be laughed at if they did the small diesel thing like VW.

[TitanBlue]

Originally Posted by stnjohnson

From what I understand, Nissan is one of the largest diesel suppliers worldwide. Just not in the US market usually. I've been hearing about a 3/4 ton and diesel engine from both Nissan and Toyota both. I will certainly get back into diesels when they come out with one.

As for what angle Nissan will take with that segment, remember how they introduced the Titan? Biggest, baddest, most powerful. As a japanese truck manufacturer they would be laughed at if they did the small diesel thing like VW.

That was my thought too, concerning the UD diesels. Too low HP to make a splash, adequete TQ, but still low IMO. Interesting topic to explore though.

[[SC]Titan]

the diesels they do offer better be powerful...if i remember right, chevy's duramax for 07 is up to 650 TQ

[dkmura]

I suspect Nissan is looking at a partnership with an established diesel supplier (ie. Catapiller, Cummings, etc.) to produce the next Titan powerplant. Why? While Renault has taken the lead in diesel development for the E.U., U.S. production has different requirements and gaining EPA certification is costly. If an established domestic supplier can build a diesel powerplant to Nissan specs, it frees Nissan up to do what it does best: chassis development.

There are rumours that the mid-model freshening for the current Titan will feature few changes (perhaps a full-size bed on a crewcab?). But look for any diesel varients to be introduced with the next gen Titan a few years off. As always, Nissan Sport Magazine will try to be the first to report any developments!

David Muramoto
Senior Editor
Nissan Sport Magazine

[chieflikalotapus]

word on the street is that nissan is looking to put a cat engine in there new trucks with enough power to hold up to the big 3. i have a friend with nissan he's gone through training and meetings about future models and as expected they are trying to push for 650-700 ftlbs of torque and 320-370 horspower.

[stnjohnson]

I've heard rumors about Cat providing a small diesel for every all of the big threes trucks. I wish someone would use one. I use Cat everyday at work, they make a great product and their name would drive huge sales. Nissan better hurry though. After my 06 Titan, I'm definitely going back to diesel by 09' or 10'. The gas is nice for the pullout, but nothing roars up a hill and pulls a trailer like an oil burner.

[royr]

I would love to see a deisel solution that was not so heavy that it would have a negative effect on handling. The fact that oil has more heat energy potential than gasoline makes for a more efficient power plant. If thermal composit materials were used in place of cast iron, and forced induction was employed to full potential a 300 lb deisel engine capable of 750 Hp and 1100 ft/lbs of torque is well within reason. Coupled with a efficient drive train this may well be the future for our Titan's replacment in the next decade.

[adavis99]

uhhh yeah, what he said ^^^

[redneckpapa1996]

I am good friends with a production engineer at the nissan plant in Smyrna, Tenn. who has been there 25 years and he is telling me that international will be making the diesel engines for the Titans...

[Birddog32]

yea from what i have been hearing they are gonna either go with cat or international but have not heard a definite answer just yet. Diesel should be coming out in '09 and long beds for the titan on the '07 models.