Detroit Diesel to provide full line of ratings for Series 60 in 2002

DETROIT (Sept. 18, 2001) — Detroit Diesel Corp. announced Monday that when engine makers are required to meet tougher emissions standards in October 2002, it will continue to provide a full line of ratings for the Series 60 engine.

Approximately 95% of all current ratings will be available on Oct. 1, 2002, according to the company. The remaining ratings will be further developed to meet the new standards on a priority basis according to demand. The standard maximum engine speed will remain at 2100 rpm.

The overhead camshaft design of the Series 60 engine allows for the high injection pressure needed to meet the new standards. Detroit Diesel is meeting the new standards with the higher injection pressure combined with exhaust gas recirculation and advanced turbocharger technology. DDC first began using EGR and the advanced turbo more than a year ago in the transit bus market.

“We have progressed significantly with the 2002 Series 60 engine development process,” said John Morelli, vice-president of the company’s 2002 Engine Program. “Performance and driveability are equivalent to today’s engine, and fuel economy continues to be optimized.” Morelli says depending on rating and application, the fuel economy of 2002 Series 60 engines is currently 2% to 4% less than current engines, but notes the company still has a year to work on getting that up to current levels.

He also said soot loading of the lube oil, once considered by some to be a potential problem, is in line with current production engines.