Engine exhaust treatment apparatus and method of use

An engine exhaust treatment apparatus for abating pollutants contained in the exhaust stream of the engine, the apparatus defining a flow path for the exhaust stream and comprising:

• (a) a first close-coupled catalyst member comprising a first catalytic material effective for catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and comprising a palladium catalytic component dispersed on a refractory metal oxide first support, the first catalytic material being substantially free of rhodium and oxygen storage components;
• (b) a second close-coupled catalyst member comprising a second catalytic material effective at least for the oxidation of hydrocarbons;
• and
• (c) an underfloor catalyst member comprising a third catalytic material effective for three-way abatement of pollutants;
• wherein at least one of the second close-coupled downstream catalyst member and the underfloor member comprise an oxygen storage component.