Nissan modifies its Sentra to meet Cash-for-Clunkers requirements
By Andrew C., 27 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
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To those who are planning to take advantage of the government's Car Allowance Rebate System ("Cash-for-Clunkers"), Nissan has exactly you in mind when it reportedly ordered its engineers to pinch every last mile out of each gallon of fuel. The program offers a sweeter incentive when consumers choose cars with greater efficiency (based on the difference in fuel economy between the purchased vehicle and the trade-in). Already, the Sentra's four-cylinder powerplant resulted to a 1-mpg improvement after some minor drivetrain tuning.
If the EPA confirms the improvement, the small gain may create the necessary 10-mpg difference Nissan's customers need for the top $4,500 credit. Since the program will expire in November, there isn't enough time for any automaker to make drastic changes. Engineers will be focusing on minor fixes such as using lightweight wheels, subtle engine tuning, and changing option packages to reduce weight. According to Nissan, the lure of trade-in bonuses to attract new customers has promoted the automaker to divert much of its engineering to the cause. [via autoblog]
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