Soon washing
a car can be a thing of the past as Nissan claims to have developed a self
cleaning car as the company tests its dirt repelling paint technology with the
European model Nissan Note, the first car to be tested.
So far, the
coating, which is being marketed and sold by UltraTech International Inc, has
responded well to common use cases including rain, spray, frost, sleet and
standing water. Whilst there are currently no plans for the technology to be applied
to the model as standard, Nissan will continue to consider the coating technology
as a future aftermarket option.
Nissan in
Europe has begun tests on an innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain
and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again,
said a company statement.
The specially
engineered super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint, which repels water and oils,
has been applied to the all-new European market Nissan Note to create the
world's first self-cleaning car.
To assess the
real-world effectiveness of the super-hydrophobic as a potential aftermarket
application, engineers at Nissan Technical Centre Europe will be testing the
self-cleaning Note over the coming months in a variety of conditions.
Nissan is the first carmaker to apply the
technology, called Ultra-Ever Dry, on automotive bodywork. By creating a
protective layer of air between the paint and environment, it effectively stops
standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car's surface.
"The
Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the stress out of customer
driving, and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make
families' lives easier,” said Geraldine Ingham, Chief Marketing Manager for Nissan
Note. "We are committed to addressing everyday problems our customers face
and will always consider testing exciting, cutting edge technology like this incredible
coating application."
Source: Nissan Motors