International Truck and Engine Corp. announced Tuesday, March 13, that it will offer its new aerodynamic class 8 tractor — the ProStar — with a 600-horsepower engine for those buyers seeking the higher-performance engine. International ProStar tractors with the Cummins 600 hp ISX engine are expected to be available early this summer.
The new International ProStar that began rolling off the assembly line in January now comes equipped with Cummins ISX engines from 385 to 600 hp. The higher-horsepower variations appeal to customers who need higher performance to meet hauling needs but are still eager to benefit from the tractor’s best-in-class aerodynamics and low cost of ownership, the company says. The 600 hp offering in the ProStar tractor will receive a robust engine-cooling system.
“The 600 hp engine is important to drivers who face severe operating difficulties in, say, mountainous regions, or who haul nondiminishing loads,” says Stephen Gilligan, assistant general manager of heavy trucks for Warrenville, Ill.-based International Truck. “We are offering them an efficient solution to offset the sacrifice in fuel economy they make in order to obtain higher performance when they need it.”
An estimated 10 to 15 percent of the market prefers higher-horsepower tractors because of particular applications or personal preference, International says. With the ProStar and the higher-horsepower engine, drivers will require less shifting when climbing a steep incline because more horsepower is in reserve to assist them.
“Cummins and International have worked closely together to engineer the ISX 600 in the ProStar truck — offering a unique value package combination of performance and fuel efficiency,” says David Geraghty, executive director of commercial vehicle engine business for Cummins. “The ISX 600 offers great low-end torque to get the load moving, and peak torque across the broadest operating range for maximum performance and drivability. Customers who drive in challenging terrains and with heavy loads will also appreciate the best-in-class braking capability provided by the Intebrake, standard on every ISX from 400 to 600 hp.”
