Volkswagen’s Touareg has one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world. Its BlueTDI engine with SCR catalytic converter reduces nitrogen dioxide (NOx) emissions by up to 90 percent. Touareg BlueTDI delivers 165kW/225 PS and meets even the strictest “Tier2 Bin5” exhaust emissions standards implemented in the US states particularly in California, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Maine.

In the USA economical turbo-diesels like the V6 BlueTDI more than any present day powertrain technology can help in reducing oil consumption and the generation of climate-impacting greenhouse gases. Volkswagen will offer the Touareg with the SCR catalytic converter starting 2008 first in the US as part of its BlueTec alliance with DaimlerChrysler and Audi. The BlueTec alliance was started by the three carmakers last year.

Volkswagen has also scheduled the launching of a smaller Jetta in America in 2008. It will also be equipped with NOx storage catalytic converter that eliminates up to 90 percent of nitrogen oxides. Both the Touareg BlueTDI and Jetta are scheduled to debut in Europe. The Euro 4 standard currently specifies a NOx limit of 0.25 g/km while the US standard which Volkswagen Touareg BlueTDI satisfies specifies a NOx limit of 0.043 g/km or 0.07 g/mile. Aside from the remarkable NOx catalytic converters that Touareg and Jetta have, they are also equipped with heavy duty VW axles.

It should be noted that the Touareg TDI had successfully towed a Boeing 747 and was made possible by its especially modified VW axle. By towing the 155 ton Boeing 747, Volkswagen Touareg has displayed not only the prowess of its engine but also the durability and power of every component.

The SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) Catalytic Converter
SCR is short for “Selective Catalytic Reduction”. Its main function is to selectively convert the nitrogen oxide or NOx exhaust components to nitrogen and water without producing any undesirable byproducts. Volkswagen’s Touareg BlueTDI which will debut at the Geneva Motor show will also feature an oxidation catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter.