by any other name
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A ROLLS-ROYCE engine was on public display on a Perkins stand for the first time at last week's Tipcon exhibition at Harrogate.
Massey-Ferguson, Perkins' parent group, acquired the RollsRoyce diesel engine manufacturing business from Vickers earlier this year (CM March 24). The contract allows Perkins to continue using the Rolls-Royce trade mark "for a controlled period of time". It seems likely that, in Britain at least, it will be phased out quite soon.
The 300Li model on display at Harrogate had only "Eagle Diesel" badges and the company, which now manufacturers the Eagle range of 12.17 litre in-line sixes — as well as the CV and Condor range of industrial and military V8s and V12s, the D range of 32.8 litre V8s and the Crange of in-line six and eight cylinder diesels — is Perkins Engines (Shrewsbury) Ltd.
The 300Li engine was introduced with the 265Li at last year's Scottish Show as replacements for the 290L and 265L. Later this year, 320Li and 340Li models will go into production. Several chassis manufacturers will type approve these models over the next two months.
The " i " designation stands for "improved", the main areas of improvement being power, torque, and specific fuel consumption. These improvements result from modified fuel injection equipment (now Bosch), a new Garrett turbocharger and a redesigned combustion chamber.
Rolls-Royce Diesels (as was) was known to have been working on more extensive modifications to its 12.17 litre engine, including a new design of cylinder head and crankcase modifications, and these are still due for introduction in 1985. This engine, the LE, has potential in the North American top weight Class Eight sector, and Perkins reports interest from two manufacturers prepared to fit Rolls-Royce engines.
There also are high hopes of selling engines to several as yet unnamed vehicle manufacturers which do not buy from Perkins at present. The first Rolls-Royce diesel has already been sold in Japan. An Italian order is expected shortly.
A major sales drive is expected by the beginning of next month, and Perkins believes its combined engine range will win business from Cummins, Deutz, Detroit Diesel-Allison, and from Japanese manufacturers.