New Scania engines make a difference, here and now

• Updated DC09 and DC13 engines give fuel savings of up to 2%

• Based on low internal friction, updated turbos and smart auxiliaries

• Scania’s legendary V8s, better than ever at 50: power­ful, emotional, fuel-efficient and with a rock-solid reputation, even as second-hand

On the road to a fossil-free transport industry, most industries and hauliers are still depen­dent on ICEs to help the world function. An easy way to make a seminal contri­bution to a shift towards sustainable tran­sports, while also achieving a favourable total operating economy, is to buy a fuel-efficient Scania with an internal com­bustion engine run on alter­native fuel. Scania’s V8s can run on HVO and have been vital for transport efficiency for 50 years. The legen­dary V8s is more relevant than ever at a time when curbing climate change is in sharp focus.

Advertisement

“The updated 13-litre engine is the ideal solution for weight-sensitive customers that need a lot of available power,” says Alexander Vlaskamp, Senior Vice President, Head of Scania Trucks. “Regardless if they pull heavy loads, are in a hurry or deal with steep uphill climbs, those customers will get solid power from the DC13 500 engine. If they are not weight sensitive, they could choose a robust 520 V8. It offers more peak torque and with a more linear character regarding power delivery.”

Scania is offering four performance steps for their DC13 volume engines: 370, 410, 450, and 500 hp. What they all have in common is that they offer excellent fuel saving capacity, SCR only for the exhaust aftertreatment, and fixed geometry turbo units. Paired with Scania Maintenance with Flexible Plans, their inherent durability will give increased productivity and uptime, while at the same time contributing to the best total operating economy. The DC13 500 engine is also well-suited for demanding tasks in markets where front axle loads are limited.

The vastly improved fuel figures – up to 2 percent fuel saving, the same for the inline five cylinder DC09 range and their DC13 siblings – are the result of extensive fine-tuning and updates by Scania’s engineers. Both of the engine ranges will now be equipped with variable coolant pumps that save fuel by reduced engagement in low load cycles. They also have a variable steering pump, a function that makes a small but important contribu­tion towards the overall fuel performance. The intake and exhaust mani­folds, as well as the turbine housings, have been modified in order to increase the pulse energy and to give a faster response.

Scania’s engineers have also paid extra attention to the internal friction. Pistons and rings have been changed to reduce friction, while the DC09 now has steel pistons that, together with a new cylinder coating, provide an even lower level of friction. All the DC09 and DC13 engines now have increased compression rates (see chart below) and the maximum cylinder pressures have been raised. The top end DC13 engine (500) also has a new turbo unit with ball bearings instead of journal bearings, for extra quick response.

The DC13 range is now sporting an even broader torque curve than before, since maximum torque is already reached at 900 r/min instead of 1000 r/min (for exact data see the chart below). This will allow for faster axle gears, typically in long-distance applications, and develops Scania’s low rev/high torque philosophy even further. All these modifications and other lesser ones, like a clutch with less stiffness, account for the substantially lower fuel consumption for what were already fuel-efficient and industry-leading Scania engines.

“These updated engine ranges will offer increased profits for our customers, as well as emit less CO2 into the atmosphere,” says Vlaskamp. “Scania continues to improve and expand our range of powertrains, so we can tailor the right offer for each individual customer. The internal combustion engine will eventually have to make way for electrified powertrains, but until then is it our duty to offer the best possible solution – in every sense of the expression.”

A legend at its peak

The fact that Scania’s V8 celebrate its 50th anniversary this year will not pass un­noticed for its fans around the world. The birthday party has already started and will continue all through 2019 in different formats and arenas.

“I guess it would be hard for bystanders to fathom the level of love, respect and admiration these legendary engines represent,” says Vlaskamp. “Maybe you can compare it with the kind of fan­base the best international athletes build over time if they keep performing at the top level, year after year? It is a lot about emotion, but the feelings would not be there if the V8s had not performed well and satisfied the logical half of the brain as well.”  

Scania introduced a new generation of Euro 6 V8 engines in 2017, and they were immediately recognised for their fuel performance. The new range, which is available at 520, 580 and 650 horsepower, offers fuel savings of 7 to 10 percent for customers who have vehicles that have high combined truck and trailer weights, and/or who need higher average speeds. The new V8 generation is Scania’s response to the trend towards heavier, longer trucks that increase the CO2-per-tonne performance.

The latest 520, 580 and 650 engines form a quartet together with the top-of-the-line 730 horsepower version, each of them capable of pro­viding customers with maxi­mum performance on the road. At the Bauma fair, Scania has an impressive S 730 10x4/*6 heavy-haulage tractor on display. It is sporting the mighty 730, Scania’s most powerful V8 ever, with 3,500 Nm available from 1000 r/min and capacity for hauling 250 tonnes “out of the box” with standard components.