Nissan planning DI petrol engine

NISSAN has launched a 1.8-litre direct injection petrol engine which could be running in UK cars by the year 2000. The new engine has been matched to Nissan's latest continuously variable transmission.

And as a result the Japanese manufacturer claims the new technology gives a 50% improvement in fuel economy and a 35% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over a conventional engine of the same capacity, while also improving on driving performance. The first time the engine will take to roads in the UK is expected to be in the next generation of Primera in 2000.

Nissan says that the engine should be widely used in vehicles during the next two to three years. Also in 2000 Nissan will manufacturer a new direct-injection diesel engine and a transmission at its operations in Barcelona and Madrid.