Although product planners are still ironing out the final details on the upcoming clean diesel sedan, engineers are wrestling with turbo lag on a new X-Trail SUV for Japan. The X-Trail makes use of the new M9R 2.0-liter turbo-diesel I-4, which produces 170 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. Respectable numbers, certainly; but when coupled to an automatic transmission, the spool time for the turbocharger becomes remarkably pronounced.
Rather than re-develop the turbo system (and subsequently a fair amount of the motor) before the X-Trail's September launch, Nissan simply decided to nix the automatic transmission in favor of a manual. With a manual, drivers can pre-spool the turbo with a quick blip of the throttle, or simply wind the motor out at their discretion.
Nissan engineers are looking at giving a Maxima diesel - expected to use a six-cylinder derivative of the M9R - an exclusive manual transmission. If they do, a diesel Maxima would be the only way to equip the current car with a manual transmission.
Presently, the new 2009 Maxima sedan is only available with a continuously-variable transmission - regardless of trim level.
Source: Automotive News