July 27, 2016 Vol. 13 No. 15

 Big news from Cummins this past weekend as the Indiana outfit showed the press its 2017 X15 heavy-duty engines and the coming X12. The venue was the huge Transportation Research Center (TRC) just outside Columbus, Ohio, where we had presentations on Friday and the chance to drive some trucks on Saturday. Given the size of the TRC facility, its 7.5-mile oval track included, we weren’t limited to brief runs around a puny temporary course as is so often the case. It was a welcome change.

The new X15 replaces the ISX15, meeting all 2017 EPA emissions and fuel-efficiency standards, of course, while adding lower fuel consumption, extended service intervals, and enhanced performance across a 400-to-605-hp ratings range. There are two configurations, aligned with duty cycles, the X15 Performance Series and the X15 Efficiency Series.

Next year’s X15 engines will offer as much as 3% better fuel economy than 2016 models, and up to 20% more than 2012 versions, Cummins said.

The new platform benefits from an optimized compression ratio, air handling system, and cam profile to increase both fuel efficiency and performance capability. 

Look for full production to start in January 2017, with as many as 1400 engines built in Q4 2016.

CUMMINS SAYS ITS NEW X12 presents the highest power-to-weight ratio of any engine in the 10-to-16-liter class, aimed at regional-haul, intracity delivery, and vocational trucks. The 11.8-liter engine is rated up to 475 hp and as much as 1700 lb ft of torque, the peak coming at a low 1000 rpm and staying there to over 1400 rpm, reducing the need for gear shifting.

The new engine is based on the confusingly named ISG, jointly developed with Chinese partner Foton, with U.S. engineers taking the lead role, and used in China for the last two years. In fact there’s also a 10.5-liter version for use in Chinese and other markets, but not so far in North America. Euro VI versions of both engines are under development.