Nissan Launches Efficient New 1.3-Litre Petrol Engine To Further Enhance Qashqai's Appeal

October 9, 2018 by Nissan

• Qashqai – Europe's best-selling crossover – is first Nissan model to use all-new petrol engine
• 1.3-litre capacity, available in 140 PS and 160 PS outputs to replace 1.2 and 1.6-litre engines
• Delivers lower CO₂ emissions, reduced fuel consumption and sets new standard for drivability in Qashqai
• All-new seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) makes debut in Nissan volume model
• New powertrains developed using strength and resources of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance

BARCELONA, Spain (October 08, 2018) – The Nissan Qashqai is now on sale with an all-new 1.3-litre petrol engine. It's the latest chapter in the success story of the Qashqai – Europe's best-selling crossover – and one which further enhances the SUV's appeal with consumers.

The highly efficient new engine – which is available in 140 PS and 160 PS outputs – delivers reduced fuel consumption and lower CO₂ emissions. It draws on the strength and resources of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and has been developed in collaboration with Daimler.

The engine is making its Nissan debut in the Qashqai. It is available linked to a six-speed manual transmission and an all-new seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), both of which are front-wheel drive. It's the first time a DCT has appeared in a volume Nissan model, and provides customers with a sporty and more direct dynamic experience, improved standing-start performance and smooth power delivery.

There are three versions of the new 1.3-litre engine – a 140 PS six-speed manual, a 160 PS six-speed manual and a 160 PS seven-speed DCT. Torque figures are 240 Nm for the low output, 260 Nm for the high output manual and 270 Nm for the DCT.

This enhanced petrol powertrain line-up sets a new standard for drivability in the Qashqai. Customers will notice improved response and acceleration through more power and torque, smoother and more linear power delivery, and a quieter driving experience. Service intervals are also extended.

In the Qashqai, the three new 1.3-litre powertrains directly replace three older ones – the 1.2-litre 115 PS manual and CVT, and the 1.6-litre 163 PS manual. All the new powertrains are compliant with the latest Euro 6d-Temp emissions standard.

NEDC-BT 140PS and 160PS MT	17-inch wheel	18-inch/19-inch wheel
Fuel economy	53.3mpg	49.6mpg
CO2 emissions	121 g/km	130 g/km

NEDC-BT 160PS DCT *	17-inch wheel	18-inch/19-inch wheel
Fuel economy	51.4mpg	48.7mpg
CO2 emissions	122 g/km	131 g/km

*DCT performance data is subject to final homologation

All three powertrains are extremely competitive versus those available from other manufacturers, and in many cases the level of CO₂ emissions is significantly better.

As well as offering reduced fuel consumption and lower CO₂ emissions, the new engine provides a smoother response at low RPM, more vigorous acceleration and quicker / safer overtaking manoeuvres.

Improved efficiency comes thanks to a fundamental reworking of the engine design compared with previous petrol units. A gasoline particulate filter has been added, and areas of improvement include the fuel injection system, combustion chamber design, reduced friction and optimisation of the turbocharger. It also offers a quieter experience for occupants because of the higher torque at low RPM.

Cost of ownership for consumers is reduced thanks to lower maintenance costs over the lifetime of the engine. For example, service intervals have been extended from 12,000 km to 18,000 miles.

Compared to the outgoing 1.2-litre 115 PS manual, the new 1.3-litre 140 PS manual has an extra 25 PS and an extra 50 Nm of torque. In the Qashqai on 17-inch wheels, the CO₂ emissions are 121 g/km (NEDC-BT), which is 8 g/km lower than previously (NEDC).

Comparing the same two powertrains, acceleration has also improved. While the 0-100 kph (0-62mph) time is almost identical (10.6 secs on the 1.2, versus 10.5 secs on the new 1.3) 4th gear acceleration from 80-100kph (50-62mph) has dropped from 5.7 to 4.5 seconds – an 18% improvement. In sixth gear at 100-120 kph (62-75mph) it's even better – a 35% improvement offering much greater flexibility for the driver.

Compared to the outgoing 1.6-litre 163 PS manual, the new 1.3-litre 160 PS manual has an extra 20 Nm of torque. In the Qashqai on 17-inch wheels, the CO₂ emissions are 121 g/km (NEDC-BT), which is 13 g/km lower than previously (NEDC).

The all-new DCT is a wet-clutch system which delivers a refined driving experience. It features electrical on-demand cooling and electro-mechanic gear actuation to improve efficiency. It provides clear benefits to customers – both private and fleet – compared to the outgoing CVT transmission on the Qashqai. The driver experiences an immediate gear shift with no power interruptions, while the absence of a torque converter creates a more direct driving feeling – so it's more fun to drive.

Nissan's new 1.3-litre petrol engine has been developed by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, and has undergone 40,000 hours of tests and simulations. As part of that testing, the engine underwent 300,000km of validation driving in some of the world's most extreme conditions.

By using the strength and resources of the Alliance, Nissan can deliver synergies which push the boundaries of what is possible from a petrol engine. The resulting 1.3-litre powertrain offers the highest levels of performance and refinement to customers, meets the strictest standards of reliability and durability, and reduces CO₂ emissions.

The engine has been developed in collaboration with Daimler who will use on their Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles. The Alliance expects to build up to one million of these engines in the next fiscal year, and it will be fitted to more than 50% of all Qashqais sold.

Customer benefits of new 1.3-litre petrol engine

Overall benefits (all three powertrain combinations)

• Improved performance in terms of better engine response and power / torque delivery
• A quieter experience for occupants as there is less need for higher revolutions (so increasing noise) because of the higher torque at low RPM
• Reduced fuel consumption and lower CO₂ and particulate emissions. This improved efficiency is due to a fundamental reworking of the engine design compared with previous Nissan petrol engines
• Specific areas of improvement include fuel injection, combustion chamber design, reduced friction and optimisation of the turbocharger
• Reduced cost of ownership. The engine design means lower maintenance costs over the lifetime of the engine. Service intervals have been extended from 12,000 miles to 18,000 miles

Customer Benefits – 1.3-litre 140 PS manual

(Compared to 1.2-litre 115 PS)

Increased torque +50Nm (now 240Nm)

Increased power +25PS (now 140PS)

Reduced CO₂ emissions (NEDC-BT) -8 g/km (now 121 g/km) on 17'

Improved fuel economy (NEDC-BT) -5 mpg (now 53.3mpg) on 17'

Customer Benefits – 1.3-litre 160 PS MT

(Compared to outgoing 1.6-litre 163 PS)

Increased torque +20Nm (now 260 Nm)

Very similar power -3PS (now 160 PS)

Reduced CO₂ emissions (NEDC-BT) -13 g/km (now 121 g/km) on 17'

Improved fuel economy (NEDC-BT) - 7mpg (now 53.3mpg) on 17'

Engine technology in detail

Cylinder head

• The new engine's compact form allows for more room under the bonnet, as well as reducing overall vehicle weight
• It features a new triangular-shaped 'delta' cylinder head. The injectors are centrally installed for better combustion
• The exhaust manifold is partially integrated into the cylinder head for more efficient cooling of exhaust gas and more efficient combustion, particularly at low engine speeds and high loads
• A Gasoline Particulate Filter has been added. The filter destroys particles in the exhaust gases by trapping them in a microporous honeycomb structure that regenerates automatically at regular intervals

Bore spray coating

• For the first time the Alliance is applying this technological innovation to a volume model's engine
• Using a plasma torch, a fine film of very hard steel is sprayed on the shafts of the cylinders to enhance heat conductivity during combustion
• Aside from creating significant savings in mass, this technique greatly decreases uncontrolled detonations (clicking) in the engine and increases the compression rate for greater efficiency
• Bore spray coating is responsible for a 1% reduction in consumption and emissions

Turbocharger

• The turbocharger is now equipped with a motor-driven recirculating safety valve (a so-called 'e-waste gate'). This replaces pneumatic valves in older engines
• It means the turbo is more responsive, particularly at low engine speeds
• This waste gate allows for optimum engine mapping without affecting drivability

Injectors

• The injector nozzles features six holes for better fuel atomisation
• They are fed by a common-rail at a high pressure of 250 bars. This compares with the outgoing 1.2-litre engine's 200 bars

Variable valve timing with rocker arm

• The valve train features a finger follower-type rocker arm with hydraulic guidance support, rather than tappets. This helps to reduce the internal friction and improve durability
• The primary benefit is a reduction in internal friction and the promise of greater durability
• The engine is more efficient thanks to twin independent variable camshaft timing for intake and exhaust