Diesel Nissan Maxima on the Way
Today, Nissan announced it will sell a clean-diesel version of its new Maxima sedan in the U.S. starting in 2010. This is one of the first Japanese models announced for the U.S. to feature a diesel engine. Honda previously announced a diesel Acura TSX would go on sale in 2009. With regular gasoline prices rising, more diesels may be introduced, even though diesel prices are skyrocketing even higher than normal gas right now.
Nissan’s diesel — developed with French manufacturer Renault — is said to be 30% more efficient than Nissan’s popular 3.5-liter V-6 which in the 2009 Maxima returns 19/26 mpg city/highway. The current price of diesel is roughly 18% higher than gasoline, at $4.77 a gallon. New diesel versions of Mercedes-Benz vehicles are selling briskly, and a new TDI Jetta is slated to go on sale later this summer.
Nissan announces 'clean diesel' SUV and Maxima (USA Today)
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Why did Nissan have to uglify the Maxima? Anyway diesel sounds good, but what's going to happen when diesel cost $6 and gas "only" cost $4.50. All the mileage benefits of diesel would be negated by the price of the fuel. Dave T. do you have any guesses or estimates on when diesel will hit $5 (or even $6) nationally?
engine specs plzzzzz
Sam,
for a 2010 engine, they're not releasing specs this early.
We've always talked 'bou when Hybrids will break even...maybe there are websites out there that compares diesel vehicles (with high vehicle cost and higher diesel price vs the same gasoline model). Sthg that cars.com can actually have like its hybrid section!
I just realized my hypothetical scenario on diesel prices isn't so hypothetical. One Manhattan gas station is selling regular for $4.60 and diesel for $5.90. With prices like that diesel saves you nothing.
AR,
Depending on how new the model is the 5-year cost of ownership we list with each model's research page should be a good gauge. When there are more diesels for us to look at I think we can put together something more in depth. But right now it's very limited. The Jetta would probably be the tipping point when they announce pricing.
More diesel vehicles increases demand for diesel which will increase the cost gap even further. Manufacturers are a bit too little too late in this regard.
Plus the cost of everything shipped by truck will go up with diesel prices. That said, if anyone can build a good Diesel engine it's Nissan. Some of their diesel Maximas from the 80s are still going, and periodically sell on e-bay. The diesel maxima will be a much better car than the Mercedes or VW diesels.
Red, did you read the post? Nissan's diesel is being developed by Renault. If you want a really good diesel wait for the Acura TSX diesel. NYT tested a Euro Accord diesel (Acura TSX) and got 53 mpg highway:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/automobiles/autoreviews/18DRIVE.html?em&ex=1211169600&en=9835cd9226b91f7f&ei=5087%0A
CJ, the engine is being developed WITH Renault. Anyone with any sense there will let the Nissan people take the lead on that. Honda/Acura may also build a good diesel, but that frankly remains to be seen.
Red, what remains to be seen, when Honda already sells their diesels in Europe. Likewise Renault already sells diesels in Europe. I'm not trying to say that Renault's diesels are bad, it's just that these are the same diesel engines Nissan had decades ago.
^Oops I meant to say these are NOT the same diesels that were in Nissan decades ago.