Diesel Nissan Maxima on the Way

Today, Nissan announced it will sell a clean-diesel version of its new Maxima sedan in the U.S. starting in 2010. This is one of the first Japanese models announced for the U.S. to feature a diesel engine. Honda previously announced a diesel Acura TSX would go on sale in 2009. With regular gasoline prices rising, more diesels may be introduced, even though diesel prices are skyrocketing even higher than normal gas right now.

Nissan’s diesel — developed with French manufacturer Renault — is said to be 30% more efficient than Nissan’s popular 3.5-liter V-6 which in the 2009 Maxima returns 19/26 mpg city/highway. The current price of diesel is roughly 18% higher than gasoline, at $4.77 a gallon. New diesel versions of Mercedes-Benz vehicles are selling briskly, and a new TDI Jetta is slated to go on sale later this summer. 

Nissan announces ‘clean diesel’ SUV and Maxima (USA Today)