Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/553565
22 l FIRST CLASSCLASS Model 579 EPIQ, PACCAR MX-13 Engine Score Double-Digit Fuel Economy Gains PETERBILT NEWS Among Peterbilt's latest fuel efficiency innovations is the Model 579 EPIQ, an aerodynamically optimized and technologically advanced vehicle that can improve fuel efficiency by up to 14 percent. "The Model 579 EPIQ is revolutionizing the industry with its aerodynamic efficien- cy, optimized powertrain and innovative fuel-saving tech- nologies," says Darrin Siver, Peterbilt General Manager and PACCAR Vice President. "Since introducing the EPIQ fuel economy package last year, we have been successful in engi- neering even more miles per gallon through precise aerody- namic refinements." Peterbilt engineers incor- porated design elements from the SuperTruck, which achieved 10.7 miles per gallon after extensive field testing, to reach the 14 percent gain pos- sible with the new Model 579 EPIQ. EPIQ includes an opti- mized drivetrain that pairs the PACCAR MX-13 Engine with the Fuller Advantage Automated Transmission. "The MX-13 is an indus- try leader in fuel effi- ciency, performance and reliability. We developed proprietary control logic that provides pre- cise communication between the MX-13 and the Advantage transmission for a fully inte- grated powertrain that deliv- ers superior fuel economy," says Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt Chief Engineer. The Model 579 EPIQ includes numerous aerody- namic enhancements that were developed through CFD (computational fluid dynam- ics), wind tunnel testing and thousands of miles of on-the- road validation. Among the newest ele- ments of EPIQ are: • A roof fairing bridge that reduces the gap between truck and trailer; • Enhanced chassis fairings that minimize the opening in front of the tan- dem axle; • Rubber w h e e l closeouts on the front axle; • A durable bumper dam that reduces aerodynamic lift and drag; and • A bumper-to-hood seal that redirects air around the truck. Other fairings included in EPIQ are 18-inch sleeper side extenders with 8-inch rubber flares; rubber skirting along the chassis fairing from the quarter fender to the front of the tandem axle with rubber closeouts under the sides of the cab and sleeper; and roof fairings with an exclusive rear wall closeout. Aerodynamically enhanced components include a three-piece aero-style bumper; multi-piece aero-style hood; painted outside sun visor; and an aero-style alu- minum battery box positioned on the passenger side, under the cab. "The Model 579 is the most aerodynamic truck in Peterbilt's 76-year history and when configured with the EPIQ package, it takes fuel economy to even greater lev- els," says Siver. "The Model 579 EPIQ makes a significant difference to our customers' bottom lines."