(February 18, 2011) Nissan's focus on reducing emissions is not just restricted to creating electric vehicles such as the award-winning Nissan LEAF. The company is now introducing a new gas engine which produces just 95g/km of CO2 and is capable of almost 69 miles to a gallon making it one of the most efficient in the world.

The Micra DIG-S will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Known as the DIG-S, the engine is a direct injection unit with a supercharger — hence the car's name: Direct Injection Gasoline-Supercharger. It delivers sparkling performance, frugal economy and exceptionally low emissions. It has been designed to meet and exceed the everyday driving demands of the modern world and is the ideal partner for Micra, Nissan's small city car.

Technical innovation has been packed into the engine. The DIG-S uses the Miller cycle and direct gas injection to raise the compression ratio to 13 to 1 for greater combustion efficiency and a supercharger for instant throttle response and added power. As well as delivering ultra low CO2 emissions, the lightweight, low-friction 1.2-liter three-cylinder unit produces the power expected from a conventional 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

The results are spectacular. The DIG-S engine produces 98 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque, while CO2 emissions are 95g/km for the manual version and 115 g/km for the CVT version. Maximum speed is 112mph for manual. Combined cycle fuel economy figures for the manual version is 68.9 mpg.

By minimizing heat, friction and pumping losses as much a possible, Nissan's engineers have created an engine that sets the standard for the rest of the industry. Its three-cylinder configuration gives many benefits including less weight and further reductions in friction loss, thanks to having fewer moving parts. Further gains are made thanks to the adoption of advanced engine management systems with Start/Stop and energy regeneration.

"Ultra low emissions with no compromise when it comes to drivability means the Micra DIG-S sets new standards for the current generation of city cars. No other gas-powered compact hatchback can beat its overall efficiency... and it is more than a match for an equivalent diesel," said Pierre Loing, Vice President Product Strategy and Planning, Nissan International.

"We have been able to achieve this ultra low CO2 figure in a cost effective package and without the complication of particulate filters needed to clean up diesel engine emissions and which are not entirely compatible with a car that spends much of its life in the city."

The Micra DIG-S will be sold in Europe.