Iveco/Nissan diesels
Page 12
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• The first prototype engines from the joint IvecoiNissan medium-duty truck diesel engine research project will break cover before the end of the year, according to the Italian truck builder.
Although few details have been released about the project, the two companies are known to be working on a range of six and eight-litre engines which will have power outputs "of around 30kW (40hp) per litre", according to Iveco's truck marketing deputy Jean Pierre Neveu. "It's a range of between 164 and 239kW (220 and 320hp)".
One of the main goals of the joint engine programme is to obtain higher fuel efficiency but with reduced emissions.
Iveco says: "Both companies will individually retain manufacturing rights on the engines which will be used on trucks and other heavy duty applications in the mid-nineties, the date after which the production stage will begin in respective plants."
The Italian manufacturer cur rently produces about 300,000 diesel engines a year ranging from its 2.5-litre direct injection Sofim engine, used in the TurboDaily, to the 17.2-litre vee-eight diesel in the TurboStar; Nissan Diesel builds around 240,000 diesel engines annually.
CI Sinotrans, one of China's. leading transport companies,
has bought 100 Iveco TurboStar 230.36 tractive units for hauling containers between the main Chinese ports. Iveco says that the order is "further proof of the confidence of the Chinese in Iveco products".
For more details of how 'Western truck makers are faring in China, see this issue, pages 44 and 45.