Renault / Nissan Shared Goals

ELF has developed a new-generation 5W-30 lubricant to meet specifications drawn up jointly by Renault and Nissan. This is the only low-saps lubricant to have been chosen by both carmakers, and will be delivered in industrial quantities from April 2005.

From a technical standpoint, the alliance sealed between Renault and Nissan in March 1999 involves increasingly close cooperation between both partner firms in efforts to develop, use and share mechanical components. The engine and gearbox are the two main areas concerned.

For example, Nissan’s 3.5l V6 engine powers the Renault Vel Satis and Espace. Renault’s 1.5l dCi engine powers the Nissan Almera and Micra. This close relationship has in turn prompted the two carmakers to draw up joint lubricant specifications. In the category of oils with low sulphated-ash, phosphorus and sulphur content (or Low-SAPS oils) for vehicles with latest-generation after-treatment systems (particle filters), Renault-Nissan has only chosen one lubricant to date, the 5W-30 oil offered by ELF. The oil is the fruit of two years of work by the Research Centre in Solaize and ELF product engineers. And its technology is nothing short of revolutionary. Deliveries to Renault’s plant in Cleon (France) and, via Idemitsu, to Nissan’s plant in Yokohama (Japan) will start in mid 2005 (by that time this new type of lubricant will have a trade name, too).

Article by: ELF Lub International Magazine N° 12 - Winter 2004/2005