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Cummins unveils on-highway engine lineup for 2010 regulations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Cummins unveiled its on-highway engine lineup ready to meet the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for the North American market at the Mid-America Trucking Show Wednesday.

The new regulations, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2010, are the most stringent in the world, with near-zero Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM) emission levels of 0.2 grams and 0.01 grams per brake-horsepower-hour, respectively.

Additionally, On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) will be required for the first time on heavy-duty diesel engines for on-highway vehicles over 14,000 pounds.

Cummins unveiled the ISX15, which will provide better fuel economy, better performance and better reliability compared to today’s industry-leading ISX engine, according to Steve Charlton, vice president of heavy duty engineering, who noted that the ISX15 features the Cummins XPI fuel system, an enhanced cooled-EGR system, a single VGT Turbocharger and the new Cummins Aftertreatment System that incorporates Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst technology together with the Cummins Particulate Filter that was introduced in 2007.

Charlton said the ISX15 features the XPI fuel system and a single overhead camshaft for an industry-leading power-to-weight ratio among big-bore engines.

Fuel economy gains of up to 5 percent will be realized as compared to Cummins 2007 engines, and gains of up to 9 percent as compared to competitive 2010 in-cylinder solutions are anticipated. Ratings will be maintained from 400-600 horsepower, with torque outputs from 1450-2050 pound feet.

The new Cummins ISX11.9 engine was also unveiled.

The ISX11.9 provides a compact and lightweight medium-bore engine ideal for vocational trucks, day cabs, emergency vehicles and motorcoach applications, Charlton said.

Sharing common cooled EGR, VGT Turbocharger, XPI fuel system, electronic controls and aftertreatment system with the ISX15, the ISX11.9 will be offered with ratings from 310-425 horsepower and from 1150-1650 pound feet of torque.

The ISX15 will continue to feature the Intebrake, an integrated engine brake; and the ISX11.9 will be offered with an optional engine compression brake.

“Cummins Heavy-Duty engines have made their name with outstanding fuel economy, reliability, durability and resale value,” Charlton said. “Customers can count on our engines to be even better in 2010 in every regard. Our heavy-duty engines for 2010 have a large ‘sweet spot’ because of the low-temperature NOx conversion capability of the copper-zeolite catalyst, which means that these engines are extraordinarily driver-friendly. Fuel economy gains can be realized with even the most inexperienced driver and, at the same time, the engines deliver performance that the driver will love.”

Cummins debuted its MidRange engines for 2010, which appear nearly identical to their 2007 counterparts with the addition of an SCR catalyst in the Cummins Aftertreatment System. Cummins MidRange engines deliver best-in-class fuel economy and reliability with best-in-class power-to-weight ratios and have made significant market share gains in medium-duty truck and bus applications.

Cummins on-highway engines for the U.S. and Canada are assembled in the U.S. at Cummins manufacturing facilities in Jamestown, N.Y., Rocky Mount, N.C., and Columbus, Ind. Manufacturing processes were verified on the assembly lines for field test units.

Limited production will begin in fourth quarter 2009 and full production in January 2010.

The Cummins Aftertreatment System for 2010 was also displayed at the show here.

The new system builds on the proven Cummins Particulate Filter, introduced in 2007 in North America, with a Selective Catalytic Reduction system. The SCR system adds a DEF-dosing valve, decomposition reactor for the hydrolysis of DEF and a catalyst with copper zeolite coating. Truck OEM-supplied components include the DEF tank and associated plumbing and heating. DEF, a new fluid which will be required for the operation of most 2010 diesel-powered vehicles, is an American Petroleum Institute (API) certified product which will be readily available at Cummins distributors, dealers and major truck stops.

“Cummins' investment in our 2010 engines demonstrates that we are in the North American on-highway markets for the long haul,” Jim Kelly, president of engine business, said. “I am extremely confident in Cummins readiness for 2010 – across all areas of our business. And I’m confident that, with our OEM partners, we’ll continue to deliver high-performance products that help our customers operate cost effectively and efficiently and, at the same time, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil.”

More details and product brochures are available by clicking here .

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