Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/510235
COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | MAY 2015 73 MATS ROUNDUP Beginning in 2017, Cummins' ISX15 engine will feature a more efficient turbocharger and reduced parasitic energy loss, said Srikanth Padmanabhan, vice president of the company's engine business. The engine will be offered in designs optimized for either performance or fuel economy, with power ratings ranging from 400 to 605 horsepower. Cummins also plans a new single-module exhaust aftertreatment system that also will debut in 2017. Padmanabhan said the evolution - ary design leverages customer input as well as Cummins Filtrations' aftertreatment expertise. The system will be 60 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than its current aftertreatment system and will use new catalytic materials and diesel particulate filter dosing methods. Remote diagnostics: Cummins announced the first in a series of new telematics features with the launch of its Connected Diagnostics program. It will use existing telematics providers such as Omnitracs and PeopleNet to provide fleets with real-time maintenance information. Adept software: Driver effi - ciency also was addressed with the introduction of the Adept software package designed to further opti- mize the SmartAdvantage integrated drivetrain developed in conjunction with Eaton. Road tour: Cummins will take more than 10 trucks from various truck makers on a cross-country tour to display its latest technol - ogy, including the 2017 ISX, its SmartAdvantage powertrain, its new Adept powertrain, its natural gas engine offerings and its latest telematics offerings. – Jack Roberts CUMMINS IMPROVING ISX15 Peterbilt Motor Co. introduced enhancements to its Model 579 Epiq that it said can improve fuel efficiency by up to 14 percent. The fuel gains come from aerodynamics, drivetrain tweaks, tire pressure monitoring and automatically generated driver perfor - mance tips, said Scott Newhouse, chief engineer. The company's new Predictive Cruise technology automatically optimizes engine and transmission operation when in cruise con- trol. The system works by anticipating and responding to changes in terrain, such as accelerating ahead of hills and coasting on the decline. That can result in "up to 3 percent improved fuel econo- my," said Darrin Siver, Peterbilt general manager. Predictive Cruise also integrates with Peterbilt's Driver Perfor- mance Assistant, which coaches drivers with fuel-saving tips, said Newhouse. Predictive Cruise is available factory-installed for both the Model 579 and 567. Peterbilt also announced: New sleeper: A new 58-inch sleeper is available for Model 579 in low- and mid-roof configurations, which Peterbilt said is ideal for weight-conscious short- and regional-haul operations. Interior package: The Platinum Graphite Interior Package is available now for Models 579 and 567 in daycab configurations or when equipped with a 72- or 80-inch sleeper. SFFA for Model 567: The company also launched a new set-for - ward front-axle configuration for its flagship vocational Model 567 that is suited for mixer and other weight-conscious applications. Advanced infotainment: Peterbilt introduced the next genera- tion of its SmartNav infotainment system that features an expand- ed array of virtual gauges, auto-activated safety cameras, improved hands-free calling and real-time traffic and fuel price information. Vehicle diagnostics: Peterbilt's new SmartLinq remote vehicle diagnostics system will be available on trucks equipped with the Paccar MX-13 engine. New CNG models: Peterbilt introduced two new medium-duty vehicles powered by compressed natural gas: Models 337 and 348, both powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G with 320 horse - power and 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque. LNG tractors: Peterbilt introduced its Models 579 and 567 in liquefied natural gas configurations, available as daycabs. Both trucks are powered by the Cummins-Westport ISX12 G with up to 400 horsepower and 1,450 lb.-ft. of torque. – Max Heine PETERBILT TOUTS 579 EPIQ UPGRADES Peterbilt said the new 58-inch sleeper for its Model 579 in low- and mid- roof configurations reduces weight by up to 100 pounds versus the 80- inch sleeper. An image of the Model 579 is displayed on the TV screen. Cummins said its 2017 ISX15 engine will feature a more efficient turbocharger and reduced parasitic energy loss.