Lemie Pie
February 24th, 2008, 11:09 PM
What Edmunds.com Says:This is the kind of technology that could finally convince U.S. buyers that diesel isn't so bad.
What We Know: Prodded on by California's tough emissions standards that are considered to be the most stringent in the world, Volkswagen is rolling out what it calls its "cleanest ever" TDI diesel engine. The new 2.0-liter common-rail diesel has a sophisticated nitrogen oxide post-treatment system developed by VW. It is fitted in a Jetta, and the automaker says the new technology is currently being tested for its models below the Passat. The technology aims to reduce nitrogen oxide, a product of combustion that is a major component of smog. VW said it developed the technology through internal development of the motor and the use of new emissions post-treatment technology. The company says the technology results in up to 90 percent fewer nitrogen oxide emissions. The VW systems are connected to the oxidation catalytic converter and the particle filter in the exhaust system. Nitrogen oxide is absorbed like a sponge, and the particle filter is regularly cleaned automatically. To achieve this, the engine management system changes operation modes for a few seconds. The technology is squarely aimed to satisfy California's Tier 2/Bin 5 norm, which has also been adopted by Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. Bluetec is a joint effort of VW, Audi and DaimlerChrysler and is aimed at establishing a diesel beachhead in the U.S. market. VW says it has already sold more than 800,000 diesel cars in the United States.
What We Know: Prodded on by California's tough emissions standards that are considered to be the most stringent in the world, Volkswagen is rolling out what it calls its "cleanest ever" TDI diesel engine. The new 2.0-liter common-rail diesel has a sophisticated nitrogen oxide post-treatment system developed by VW. It is fitted in a Jetta, and the automaker says the new technology is currently being tested for its models below the Passat. The technology aims to reduce nitrogen oxide, a product of combustion that is a major component of smog. VW said it developed the technology through internal development of the motor and the use of new emissions post-treatment technology. The company says the technology results in up to 90 percent fewer nitrogen oxide emissions. The VW systems are connected to the oxidation catalytic converter and the particle filter in the exhaust system. Nitrogen oxide is absorbed like a sponge, and the particle filter is regularly cleaned automatically. To achieve this, the engine management system changes operation modes for a few seconds. The technology is squarely aimed to satisfy California's Tier 2/Bin 5 norm, which has also been adopted by Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. Bluetec is a joint effort of VW, Audi and DaimlerChrysler and is aimed at establishing a diesel beachhead in the U.S. market. VW says it has already sold more than 800,000 diesel cars in the United States.