At the recent IAA fair in Hanover, Germany DAF Trucks introduced a new generation of Paccar engines, the MX series. While DAF has long built diesel engines for use in its own trucks in Europe, as well as some sales to other on-highway manufacturers, this is believed to be the first time a DAF-built engine has been introduced carrying the Paccar brand name. This, of course, is fueling market speculation that this engine might eventually find its way into North America and Peterbult and Freightliner trucks. In an artical to appear in the November-December issue of Diesel Progress International, DAF said the MX engines will carry the Paccar name on the valve cover, recognizing its ownership by the American company.

The New Paccar diesel is a 12.9-liter engine, due to going into production in second half of 2005 at DAF\’s Eindhoven, Netherlands operations. The new Paccar MX engines are six-cylinder, in-line engines. The design includes four-valve-per-cylinder, turbocharged, charge-air-cooled, a rigid CGI cylinder block and a high-pressure injection system with a pump unit integrated in the block developed in collaboration with Delphi. DAF said the MX engines will be equipped with a DeNOx catalytic converter.

The MX diesels will initially be available with power outputs of 410 hp, 460 hp and 510 hp, with a maximum torque of 2000, 2300 and 2500 Nm respectively. A fourth, 560 hp diesel is set to be introduced at a later date with a maximum torque of 2750 Nm. The MX diesels will initially be supplied in the DAF XF series trucks, but will subsequently also be installed in the CF series, with power outputs between 360 hp and 510 hp.

DAF also made some interesting statements about pricing. The company said vehicles with Euro 5 emission level diesels, as compared with the current Euro 3 level, will be between seven and eight thousand euro more expensive for the customers. The Euro 4 version will be some five to six thousand euro more expensive than the Euro 3 version. DAF said fleet operators who will not be in a position to immediately gain an economic advantage from engines with a Euro 5 emission level will for the time being opt for a Euro 4 version, and as long as it is still possible, even a Euro 3. As a consequence, DAD will be offering engines with a Euro 5 emission level, alongside the existing Euro 3 and new Euro 4 engines.

Source: World Construction Equipment