The popularity of the Series 60 engine comes from providing truckers with the best combination of performance, fuel economy, cost of operation, durability, driver satisfaction and resale value. With unmatched parts and service support, knowledgeable professionals, and factory-trained technicians all over North America, the 2002 Series 60 engine will build on that tradition.

Historically, every time EPA standards have changed, we have been able to meet the new standards and improve performance, reliability, fuel economy and life to overhaul. For instance, in the ’70s, the typical heavy-duty engine life to overhaul ranged between 250,000 and 500,000 miles. Today, our engines are living twice as long, many reaching one-million-plus miles before overhaul. Fuel economy has also improved 100% and performance and reliability have followed suit.

We are fortunate that the Series 60 engine still starts with the best platform. The overhead cam gives the Series 60 engine the high injection pressure it needs. When high injection pressure is combined with technology like exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), the result is a low emissions engine with excellent performance.

During the EGR process, incoming charge air is mixed with burned exhaust gases. As oxygen content is reduced, combustion temperatures in the cylinder are lowered and NOx levels are reduced. This results in the ability to advance injector timing—on the road that translates into better acceleration, improved fuel economy and less soot in the oil.

We also added a higher performance turbocharger. It works sort of like a garden hose that is controlled using a spray trigger handle. In this same way, the advanced turbocharger modulates turbo boost exactly as needed and it’s all managed by our proven Detroit Diesel Electronic Control (DDEC) system. This technique provides immediate boost through the engine’s operating range for better acceleration and better performance. And, because you can restrict exhaust flow with the new turbocharger, engine braking can also be enhanced.

More than 2,000 of these new systems are currently in operation in Detroit Diesel engines throughout the United States and Canada; by 2002, that number is expected to climb to 3,500. Detroit Diesel will have plenty of real world experience before October 2002.

We’re making great progress. Performance and drivability of the 2002 Series 60 engine are equivalent to today’s engine, fuel economy continues to be optimized, and the recommended oil change intervals of the 2002 Series 60 will not change.

Additionally, with the new 2002 Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine, there is no need for expensive, hard to maintain, and unproven exhaust aftertreatment devices. And, because the Series 60 is using proven technology, there’s no need for new training programs within the DDC support system. Existing field knowledge, parts and service are already in place.