Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/127433
Together evidenced by the 2013 ProStar+ equipped with an ISX15 diesel engine that I was there to drive. Waters had just taken delivery of one of the first ProStar+ daycab tractors to come off the assembly line. Since Waters' Columbus facility is just a short drive from Overdrive headquarters in Tuscaloosa, Ala., I was on hand to take the new rig, with a fully loaded 53-foot trailer, on a run through middle Mississippi to see what I could learn about this renewed partnership. International parent Navistar cut Cummins loose a few years ago and focused on launching its proprietary MaxxForce diesel engine line. Part of that effort included a highly publicized decision to stick with an exhaust gas recirculation-only solution to meet 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards for both its 13- and 15-liter engines. For a variety of reasons, Navistar's EGR-only push failed. Late last year, in an effort to turn its fortunes around, the company announced that it would partner with Cummins to provide a fully EPA-compliant 15-liter option using selective catalytic reduction technology in the first quarter of this year, with an SCR version of the MaxxForce 13 to follow. Working closely with Cummins engineers, Navistar not only has delivered the new ProStar+ with red engines, they've also done so ahead of schedule and with a product that – according to Tom Smith, director of custom engineering – is exhibiting few teething problems in either captive testing or real-world operations. Navistar has taken a hard hit over the past year. While it's safe to say the company probably would do a few things differently if it had them to do over again, it's clear the move to again International is looking to the ISX15 to help reverse its fortunes. The instrument cluster was crisp and easy to read. The interior was spacious and well designed with plenty of easily accessible storage. + 2013 ProStar specs as tested Model: ProStar+ daycab BBC: 122 in. Drive configuration: 6x4 Wheelbase: 171 in. Engine: Cummins ISX15 Power rating: 500 hp Torque rating: 1,850 lb.- ft. at 1,200 rpm Transmission: Eaton Fuller RTLO-18913A 13-speed manual with double overdrive Front axle: Meritor MFS12-143A Front axle capacity: 12,350 lbs. Rear axles (tandem): Meritor RT-40-145A Rear axle capacity: 40,000 lbs. 42 | Overdrive | May 2013 Test_Drive_Prostar.indd 42 4/30/13 10:31 PM