Mazda to introduce particulate filters on small commercial vehicles
22 May 2003 | updated 28 May 2003
Mazda Motor Corporation announced it developed a new diesel engine that has significantly lower emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The automaker will begin test drives of the new engine, which is aimed at commercial production as the powerplant for small commercial Bongo vans. It is the first application of this type of emission-controlled diesel engine in the small commercial vehicle segment.
Please log in to view the full version of this article (subscription required).
The new engine is a 2.0-liter, inline 4 cylinder, common-rail direct injection turbo diesel. Based on the MZR-CD, mounted in the European specification Mazda 6, the new engine is additionally equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and an improved engine control unit. This has resulted in over 75% reduction of PM and 25% reduction of NOx emissions, compared to diesel engines used in the current Bongo.
As part of the development process, the engine’s performance will be monitored in tests conducted on public roads using a small commercial Bongo van. Mazda will test one van itself, while enlisting the help of business partners to monitor additional vehicles. This will allow to collect a variety of data under different driving conditions.
According to Mazda, the new van will meet the Japanese emission standards of October 2003, the “Automobile NOx/PM Law” covering metropolitan areas, and the diesel vehicle regulations by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Source: Mazda , NGK