Back in 2010 Cummins released a U.S. Department of Energy proposal outlining their plans for developing a 2.8L light-duty diesel pickup engine partnering with Nissan.
The engine code name: Atlas. The timeline was to have a Nissan test mule running Atlas by 2013.
Seemingly on track, Nissan showed off a “prototype” diesel-powered Frontier at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show with a Cummins 2.8L. No engine details or production time lines were released at the time.
But if it’s the same Atlas diesel as Cummins proposed, it’s a 210hp, direct-injected model with CGI block backed by a ZF 8-speed automatic.
The early goal was getting 26-plus mpg and making 385 lbs.-ft. torque at 1800rpm.
Small-engine diesel technology has advanced a lot at Cummins the last couple years, so both mpg and power could be higher if this comes out in future Nissan Frontiers
Cummins 5.0L V-8 Turbo-Diesel
Cummins 5.0L V-8 planned for use in the next-generation Nissan Titans coming in 2015. The 2016 Toyota Tundras could get the same engine.
Ten years Cummins embarked on getting a bigger bite of the automotive diesel engine pie and being a big part of the 2009 ½-ton diesel pickup market.
Their product: a 5.0L V-8 turbo-diesel for the ½-ton Dodge Ram pickups. Fate changed the recipient vehicle, but not the engine.
The 5.0L going in the 2015 Nissan Titan, and possibly the 2016 Toyota Tundra, is expected to make between 310-325hp and more than 550 lbs.-ft. torque, with 30- to 40-percent better mpg than the current 5.7L Titan gas engine.
As we reported last year, here’re the engine details: aluminum heads; CGI block, 90-deg V; forged steel crank; dual overhead cams; chain driven cams and pump; centered injectors; highest speed range in Cummins portfolio; VGT turbo scaled down for the V8; Bosch High pressure common rail
Cummins 5.0L V-8 planned for use in the next-generation Nissan Titans coming in 2015. The 2016 Toyota Tundras could get the same engine.
