Cummins begins production of 2017 X15 engine

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Updated Oct 12, 2016

img_8943Cummins Inc. has begun production of its new X15 engine at its Jamestown Engine Plant in Jamestown, N.Y.

The next-generation X15 heavy-duty engines exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2017 greenhouse gas (GHG) and fuel-efficiency standards, with lower fuel consumption, extended service intervals, enhanced performance and the highest quality standards across a 400 to 605 horsepower ratings range.

“I am proud of the innovative, hard work that has gone into this game-changing engine platform, and we are excited to see these important products rolling off the line,” says Srikanth Padmanabhan, president of Cummins’ engine business.

The X15 introduces two configurations – the X15 Performance Series and the X15 Efficiency Series – with both available in limited production for the rest of the year. Full production will begin in January.

The new X15 builds on the framework of the ISX15 with the implementation of an optimized compression ratio, air handling system and combustion process to increase both fuel efficiency and performance capability.

However, the 2017 models feature up to 20 percent better fuel economy and 40 percent lower maintenance costs than 2010 ISX15 engines.

“The X15 engines are a sign of what is to come from Cummins,” Padmanabhan says. “We are firmly focused on understanding the industry trends that are shaping our markets and anticipating the future to develop innovative products and solutions that maximize our customers’ success. A result of this is the X15, which provides customers with improved quality, performance and fuel-economy, while reducing emissions and the environmental footprint. At the core, it’s simple, we win in the marketplace by seeing the future first and beating the competition to it. At Cummins, this is what we mean by innovation you can depend on.”

Every X15 also comes factory-ready to connect to a capable telematics system that enables Over-the-Air (OTA) engine programming, customization, and diagnostics. With Connected Solutions, drivers and fleet managers can manage their vehicle, make quick decisions remotely and even update an engine with the latest calibration without having to bring it to a service bay.

The X15 Performance Series is rated at 485 to 605 horsepower for heavy-haul, vocational and emergency vehicles with a peak torque of up to 2050 lb-ft delivered across a wide engine rpm range, and up to 600 horsepower engine braking at 2100 rpm.

For line-haul and regional-haul applications, the X15 Efficiency Series offers 400 to 500 horsepower ratings range and up to 1850 lb-ft of peak torque available at 1000 rpm.

Jason Cannon has written about trucking and transportation for more than a decade and serves as Chief Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. A Class A CDL holder, Jason is a graduate of the Porsche Sport Driving School, an honorary Duckmaster at The Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee, and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Reach him at [email protected]