Detroit Unveils Engine Changes To Meet GHG14 Regs.

The DD13

DETROIT — Detroit Diesel Corporation says weight savings and engineering modifications have enabled its lineup of heavy-duty engines to meet North America’s more stringent emissions regulations.

The company, which has recently rebranded its engines under the name “Detroit,” says its DD13, DD15, and DD16 engines now meet the greenhouse gas regulations that will come into effect in both Canada and the U.S. in 2014.

“It is our goal to pace the industry in emissions compliance and fuel efficiency,” said Brad Williamson, manager, engine and component marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. “Early submissions for GHG14 engine compliance is evidence of this strategy for the updated family of Detroit engines.”

The engine modifications have shifted torque ratings on all three engines.

The updated DD13, designed for regional, LTL, and vocational applications, now offers 370-470 hp and a torque range from 1250-1650-lb.

The DD13 also features longer service intervals, modifications to its fuel injector nozzle (among other components), and a new crankcase sensor for OBD requirements. A variable speed water pump creates greater efficiency compared to a gear-driven design.

The DD15

The DD16 now has a wider selection of available horsepower and torque ratings that have been shifted from the DD15 engine. With up to 600hp delivering up to 2050-lb of torque, the DD16 was designed to haul the heaviest of loads through the most difficult terrains.

“We know that torque rating is especially important to Canadian customers,” said Mark Groeneweg, director of truck engine product engineering for Daimler Trucks.

All Detroit heavy-duty engines feature the enhanced BlueTec emissions system. New components include a liquid-only DEF delivery system, intended to give better fuel economy due to the elimination of air assist. A 1-Box package with fewer parts is now universally-configured for all trucks, resulting in improved serviceability.

The engines also feature enhanced DDEC engine electronics that contribute to improved engine control, optimized powertrain and BlueTec management, and accurate fuel reporting for the customer.

The company says the new fuel filter system further contributes to ease of serviceability and decreased maintenance costs. It allows for one less filter and longer intervals (100,000 miles vs. 50,000 miles) than the previous system, the new module also requires less priming strokes and provides easier access to the water drain.

The DD16

“By optimizing components where it best makes sense, we have reduced the overall complexity of the engines, which ultimately benefits serviceability and performance,” said David Hames, general manager for marketing and strategy for Daimler Trucks North America. “Detroit engines already have the longest scheduled maintenance intervals, and our updates will keep drivers on the road.”

The newly designed Detroit DD15 engine features a proprietary asymmetric turbocharger with a next-generation amplified common rail system (ACRS), which not only improves performance and fuel economy, but reduces overall weight and complexity. The variable-speed water pump and optimized oil pump reduce load on the engine, further contributing to the improvements in fuel economy.

Additional engine enhancements include an optimized piston design, which reduces oil consumption through the use of an improved oil control ring; and ACRS, which provides higher injector pressure for improved combustion control while eliminating the pressure regulator, improving overall engine performance.

“With the modifications we’ve made to the DD15, we are not only meeting compliance standards, but we’re providing our customers with a reliable solution that can provide significant fuel economy gains,” said Brad Williamson, manager, engine and component marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. “And, with the recent introduction of the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution, we were able to showcase the power and performance of the enhanced engine.”

Detroit will continue to offer the DD15 TC (with turbo compounding) which will receive many of the engine family changes including the new DDEC electronic controls and improved fuel filter system. The DD15 TC will be available in many of the Freightliner and Western Star trucks and will continue deliver the reliability and performance customers have demanded since its introduction in 2008.

The engines are built at a 3.2 million square foot plant in Detroit.

Detroit Diesel Corporation does not expect a significant pre-buy of these engines in advance of GHG14 regulations.


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