Variable exhaust system for V-engines II

An exhaust system for a motor vehicle having a front-mounted internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders arranged in a "V"-configuration, forming two banks of cylinders emitting a flow of exhaust gas therefrom, the exhaust system comprising:

• first and second exhaust manifolds, the first manifold connected to the first cylinder bank and the second manifold connected to second cylinder bank for communicating the exhaust gas therefrom;
• a first catalytic converter in fluid communication with the first exhaust manifold;
• a second catalytic converter in fluid communication with the second exhaust manifold;
• a first exhaust pipe having a first end in fluid communication with the first exhaust manifold, the first exhaust pipe extending from a first side of the vehicle to a second side of the vehicle;
• a second exhaust pipe having a first end in fluid communication with the second exhaust manifold, the second exhaust pipe extending from the second side of the vehicle to a second end on the first side of the vehicle;
• a NOx trap for receiving the exhaust from the second end of the second exhaust pipe;
• a third exhaust pipe in fluid communication between the first catalytic converter and the NOx trap, the third exhaust pipe not extending to the second side of the vehicle;
• and
• a first control valve for selectively substantially blocking exhaust flow through the first pipe to direct the exhaust through the third exhaust pipe.