Detroit UK comeback?
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• US engine builder Detroit Diesel plans to make a comeback in the UK heavy truck market, and is looking for British operators to take part in field trials with its Series-60 engine. According to John Peberdy, sales manager for Detroit Diesel Overseas Corporation (DDOC): "It is our plan to have field units up and running by 1990. I have a couple of engines ready and waiting." The Series 60 range — debuted at the Scottish Motor Show — incorporates 11.1 and 12.7-litre engines developing from 187 to 317kW (250425hp). All Series 60 engines feature air-to-air charge-cooling .and an electronically-controlled fuel injection and engine management system, known as DDEC, with no mechanical control on the injection. Peberdy says that Detroit Diesel has been talking to various vehicle manufacturers and intends to conduct trials with 38-tonne tractors. "Its size is similar to a 14-litre Cummins and it would go under a Seddon Atkinson Strato cab, and Foden
4000 Series I am not sure about ERF, whether it would go under that size of cab — but we are looking at running Seddons, Fodens and ERF's in trials," he says.
The 11.1-litre engine has bore and stroke of 130x139mm, and a power spread of 187-261kW (250350hp). The larger displacement 12.7-litre block has a bore and stroke of 130 x160mm and a power range from 261-317kW (320425hp). Maximum torque from the 11.I-litre engine is 921Nm (1,250Ibft) at 1,200rpm; on the 12,7-litre engine it is 1,033Nm (1,400Ibft) at 1,200rpm. The Series 60 engine was launched in 1987. It has wet cylinder liners, an overhead camshaft and a seven-bearing crankshaft. Some 12,000 are built every year at the corn pany's Redford, Michigan, plant: the intention is to boost that to 15,000 as the basis for a European launch. DDOC vice-president Paul Moreton believes that the greatest sales potential will rest with the 12.7-litre engine.
Peberdy says: "We are talking about a four-stroke six inline engine which is heavy-duty and more durable. It's a very fuel-efficient engine and we are expecting to get 7.5 to 8mpg with ease."
Any field trials are likely to cover at least 160,000km "to prove durability."