UN R9 — 08 series of amendments

New paragraph 2.12. defines the “Power-to-mass ratio index” (symbol PMR). It is the ratio of the rated maximum net power of the vehicle in W to the test mass in kg. New paragraph 2.13. defines “Idling speed” (symbol nidle, expressed in min-1). It is the speed of the engine running in warm condition, the gear lever placed in neutral, and the clutch engaged.

Under new paragraph 6.3.4.1., the vehicle type to be approved must meet the requirements of Annex 6. If user selectable software programs or modes affect the sound emission of the vehicle, all these modes must comply with Annex 6. Testing must be based on the worst case scenario. In the application for type approval or for modification or extension of a type approval, the manufacturer must provide a statement. This statement is in accordance with Annex 7 and says that the vehicle type complies with paragraph 6.3.4. The Type Approval Authority may carry out any test prescribed in this Regulation.

New Annex 6 applies to vehicles of category L4 and L5 with PMR >50. Annex 6 has an exemption for vehicles with variable gear ratios or automatic transmission with non-lockable gear ratios. The exemption applies if the manufacturer's technical documents show the Type Approval Authority that the engine speed at BB' stays within the paragraph 1.2. limits. The Technical Service must measure nidle in accordance with Annex 2 of UN GTR No. 15 during the ASEP test. This does not apply if the manufacturer presents a test report or a Communication which mentions the value of nidle. The ASEP control range restricts vAA' to at least 20 km/h and vBB' to not more than 80 km/h, and also restricts engine speeds.

The Type Approval Authority as well as the Technical Service may request tests to check compliance with the additional sound emission requirements. In ASEP test 1, the gear and vAA’ must be chosen so that the test condition complies with the control range specifications and nBB’ ≤ 0,85*nBB’_ref. In ASEP test 2, the same applies with nBB’ ≥ 1,15*nBB’_ref. The ASEP limits apply to the maximum noise level recorded during the passage of the vehicle through the test track. For nBB' < nBB’_ref, the limit is Lref + (1 * (nBB' – nBB’_ref) / 1,000) + 3. For nBB' ≥ nBB’_ref, the limit is Lref + (5 * (nBB' – nBB’_ref) / 1,000) + 3.

Under paragraph 11.3., Contracting Parties must not refuse to grant type approvals according to any preceding series of amendments or extensions thereof. Before, this paragraph was about extensions of type approvals for existing types granted according to the preceding series of amendments. Paragraph 11.6. now says “who start to apply this UN Regulation” instead of “whose application of this Regulation comes into force”. These Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept UN type-approvals granted in accordance with any of the preceding series of amendments. The old words about the 07 series of amendments are deleted.

From the official date of entry into force of the 08 series, Contracting Parties must not refuse to grant or accept approvals under it. Under paragraph 11.10., Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept UN type approvals to the preceding series first issued after a set date. This date is 1 September following the entry into force of the 08 series of amendments + 12 months. Under paragraph 11.11., Contracting Parties must accept UN type approvals to the preceding series first issued before the date in paragraph 11.10. This applies until 1 September of (year of date in paragraph 11.10 above) + 36 months, when paragraph 11.12. ends this obligation. Paragraph 11.13. keeps acceptance of approvals to the preceding series for the vehicles/vehicle systems which are not affected by the changes of the 08 series.

The description of the texture depth measurement procedure now refers to standard ISO 10844:2014. Before, it referred to ISO 10844:1994. A footnote that referred to ISO 10844:1994 now refers to ISO 10844:2014.