WARRENVILLE, Ill. — International Truck and Engine revealed it will offer its new Class 8 tractor the flagship International ProStar with a 600-hp engine for buyers seeking the higher-performance engine as well as the tractor’s fuel-efficient, aerodynamic features.

International ProStar tractors with the Cummins 600HP ISX engine are expected to be available early this summer.

The new International ProStar began rolling off the assembly line in January comes equipped with Cummins ISX engines from 385 to 600 horsepower. The 600-hp offering in the ProStar tractor will receive a robust engine-cooling system in the aerodynamic and fuel-efficient vehicle.

The higher horsepower variations appeal to customers who need higher performance to meet hauling needs but are still eager to benefit from the tractor’s best-in-class aerodynamics and low cost of ownership, noted the truck maker.

“The 600-hp engine is important to drivers who face severe operating difficulties in, say, mountainous regions, or who haul non-diminishing loads,” said Stephen Gilligan, assistant general manager of heavy trucks. “We are offering them an efficient solution to offset the sacrifice in fuel-economy they make in order to obtain higher performance when they need it.”

With the aerodynamic ProStar and the higher-horsepower engine, drivers will require less shifting when climbing a steep incline because more horsepower is in reserve to assist them, explained company officials.

“Cummins and International have worked closely together to engineer the ISX 600 in the ProStar truck, offering a unique value package combination of performance and fuel efficiency, said David Geraghty, executive director of commercial vehicle engine business with Cummins. The ISX 600 offers great low-end torque to get the load moving, and peak torque across the broadest operating range for maximum performance and drivability.”