WARRENVILLE, Ill. — Navistar says the road to 2010 is smoothly paved for the introduction of its "advanced" EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) MaxxForce engines.

The truckmaker — the only OEM not using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet 2010 EPA emission rules — says its on track with engine testing and will be prepared for "a successful engine launch in the months ahead."

The big bore MaxxForce 15 , as Today’s Trucking first reported earlier this year, is an extension of the Caterpillar C15 platform which will be built under licence by Navistar. 

"We are on track with our strategy of 2010 emissions compliance through the use of our EGR-only solution and are ahead of schedule in some cases," said Jack Allen, president of Navistar’s North American truck group. “With our line-up of MaxxForce Advanced EGR engines, we’re delivering a simple and straightforward solution that places the responsibility of emissions compliance on us, the manufacturer, not the customer."

Navistar has acknowledged it will use emissions credits it has built up from smaller engines exceeding their emissions requirements in order to comply with EPA’s heavy-duty targets by Jan. 1.

The American truckmaker says it has completed rigorous testing and analysis in both its engine labs and field test units during the last 18 months. This past March, it wrapped up cold weather testing in northern Minnesota, one of the colder locations in North America, and well known for its frigid climate throughout the winter months. ??

"Completing the validation phase of our test engines is a major milestone, but our work isn’t done yet. As with any new engine program, up until the day we build that first truck, we will continue to fine tune our engines, make the necessary adjustments, test and validate to ensure our customers have the performance and reliability they expect," said Ramin Younessi, group vice president, product development and business strategy.

The final validation testing at high altitude and high temperature is being conducted in Nevada and the mountainous regions of Colorado. Navistar engineers are currently completing the final evaluation of engine performance in high elevations with aggressive inclines and declines.

Now that the warm summer months are here, Navistar engineers will travel to desert-like conditions in Arizona and Nevada to complete its 2010 hot weather testing.

The OEM has more than 60 test vehicles in operation today, logging thousands of miles each and every week.

Despite full confidence that its emissions solution will win the day, the company continues to press the issue in court.

Recently, Navistar sued the EPA, alleging that the environmental agency improperly allowed rival SCR makers to forge ahead with their technology. Navistar says the move is a reversal of EPA’s own 2001 Clean Air rules.

SCR makers responded by requesting standing in the case so it can rebut some of Navistar’s criticisms of SCR and the engine rules process.