Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the next generation of its 13-litre engine range in Europe, claiming it will lead to a 3% advantage in fuel usage.
The latest iteration of the OM 471 engine is based on the same basic engine block as other 13-litre Daimler engines around the world, including the Detroit DD 13.
But even after having solid some 100,000 units of the engine, the company still invested another 60 million in refining it.
According to Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler, the X-Pulse fuel injection system has been improved, a new EGR valve has been introduced, as has an asymmetric turbo system – reportedly leading to oil change intervals of around 150,000 km.
Also improved has been the torque curve – especially for the lower powered versions of the new engine, which will see torque topped up by an extra 200 Nm when the truck is in top gear. This should reduce down changing, thus decreasing fuel use, by enabling the truck to hang on to top gear longer.
Maximum power will reportedly be available from 1450 to 1800 rpm, with the maximum torque of 2600 Nm (1918 ft lb) in the top engine on hand between 900 to 1450 rpm. Even at idling speed, at 600 rpm, the engine is still said to produce1600 Nm of torque.
As part of the fuel saving strategy, the new engine is being offered in a truck with a rear axle ratio of 2.533. In this set up, with the truck running at 65 km/h, the engine is below 900 rpm but can use 2200 Nm of torque to maintain performance.
The Euro 6 compliant engine sees each of the various technologies included for improved performance.
