This one has turned in to a nagging challenge for the Insight 1G. Unfortunately, Integrated Fuel Technologies (IFT) disappeared from the market. We have a feeling BASF bought the license from IFT for the innovative catalyst that allows NOx reductions using hydrocarbons (Diesel fuel) as a dosing agent. Either that or IFT was hit hard by the economic downturn and could not continue with the development effort. IFT's web site is no longer active so they're out of the running as far as an emissions system is concerned.
We've put forth some effort looking in to alternative sources for emissions reduction equipment. BASF looks good if the products they offer don't end up costing a mint. Pirelli of all companies is offering some solutions for Diesel emissions control. Bosch offers systems but to large scale manufacturers. In any event, VW, BMW, and Mercedes have cracked the code on fielding Tier II Bin 5 compliant Diesel vehicles so the problem isn't an unsolvable one.
As it stands now, the Insight 1G emissions system is made up of the system originally installed on the VW Lupo 3L. We figure it will be good enough to get us down the road. While the car is up and running we'll be able to sample things like flow rate, exhaust temperature profile, and baseline emissions levels. This will establish a good point to jump off from for the development of our system which will be specific to the Insight 1G.
So, a little more engineering effort with a lucky strike in terms of equipment supply and this loose end should be tied up. It won't be easy but overcoming this design problem isn't impossible either. By leveraging off of preexisting systems an affordable solution should present itself.
