DENTON, Tex. — Peterbilt has made a number of recent product announcements, including the addition of the high-horsepower Caterpillar C15 for the 379 and 379X.

The C15 is rated at 600 and 625 horsepower providing more power for Pete customers.

“These new engine options provide a broader horsepower range to better meet customers’ operating requirements,” says Bruce Ewald, Peterbilt assistant general manager of sales and marketing. “There is a great deal of market demand for high-horsepower engines, and we’re fortunate to be in a position where we can first meet that demand and provide customers with this popular rating.”

Peterbilt also introduced a new high-quality Dupont Imron Elite Commercial finish for the exterior of its medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The new standard coat will provide an improved finish that will also last longer, the company says.

“Peterbilt’s new standard exterior finishes are of the highest quality available and provide customers with added ultraviolet resistance to preserve gloss and luster,” says Ewald. “These new paint formulations are optimized to work with Peterbilt’s robotic electrostatic paint application process, helping produce vehicles with the best in class appearance our customers demand.”

In other company news, Peterbilt has announced its 335 medium-duty can now be spec’d with an Eaton UltraShift automated transmission.

“The Model 335 is used in a wide range of settings which demand drivers’ full attention, such as urban pickup and delivery and construction sites,” Ewald says. “By eliminating shifting and the use of a clutch pedal, the UltraShift will help drivers keep focused. It will also help reduce operator fatigue for greater productivity, leading to more stops or loads for more profit.”

Pete is also now offering Allison automatic transmissions for all Cummins and Caterpillar heavy-duty engines. The models 379, 385, 378 and 357 are all now available with the automatic transmissions.

“The new combinations provide customers with a greater range of horsepower and torque ratings with the fuel efficiency and operating convenience of an automatic transmission,” says Ewald. “Increasingly, customers from both vocational and over-the-road markets are spec’ing automatic transmissions, and this expanded lineup of compatible engine options will hold even greater appeal.”