Cummins has announced it is launching a five-litre V8 diesel engine, designed for pickup-and-delivery applications and other light- and medium-duty trucks.
The ISV5.0 will be assembled at Cummins' Columbus Engine Plant, which has received a makeover to accommodate production beginning next year. The engine is already being tested, and a selection of vehicles with the new ISV5.0 were available for test drives at a press event here today. Vehicles equipped with the engine at the event included a walk-in van, school bus, RV and Freightliner medium-duty sport truck.
"Cummins ISV5.0 creates new opportunities for our OEM customers as a compact and lightweight engine that delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency and total cost of ownership," said Dave Crompton, Cummins vice-president and general manager, engine business. "Many of our customers have asked for a Cummins alternative for gasoline or other small displacement automotive diesel engines. The ISV5.0 represents the next dimension in fuel economy and performance as Cummins continues to broaden our on-highway product line."
The ISV5.0 represents the first Cummins engine to use a compacted graphite iron block, which reduces weight and engine noise. Aluminum components contribute further weight reduction and improve efficiency.
Cummins officials said the new engine has been designed to easily fit where a comparable V8 or V10 gasoline engine was previously installed. It's not yet clear which vehicle manufacturers will be offering the engine, though Nissan earlier announced it would offer a variation of this five-litre engine in its Titan pickup.
The engine features a Bosch high pressure common rail fuel system and piezo fuel injectors for precise fuel control and optimum in-cylinder combustion, the company said. There will be four horsepower ratings (200, 220, 250 and 275 hp) available with torque up to 560 lb.-ft.
The engine uses ceramic glow plugs to reduce start time and limit electrical current draw in cold weather. The glow plugs are designed to last the life of the engine.
The fuel filter uses NanoNet media from Cummins filtration, which can trap more than 99% of all particles as small as four microns. The ISV5.0 also has a high-efficiency coalescing filter to eliminate crankcase hydrocarbon emissions and oil mist.
And the engine will be matched with Cummins' aftertreatment system, including a diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction system.
"Cummins has integrated the latest technologies in the ISV5.0 to deliver performance, fuel efficiency and durability in a highly sociable package. Every day, drivers will appreciate the smooth, quiet operation of the ISV5.0," said Jim Katzenmeyer, executive engineer, V8 program. "In addition, the fuel savings offered by the ISV5.0 result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions – a great environmental benefit."
The ISV5.0 has been many years in the making. The program was initially launched with funding from the US Energy Department and was intended to be released in Chrysler vehicles. The car maker's financial struggles during the recession derailed those plans, but Cummins forged ahead with the project.
Production of the new engine will begin in the fourth quarter of 2014.
"Our customers want the ISV5.0 engine to come with the world-class service network and customer support that Cummins already provides to them," said Jeff Jones, Cummins vice-president, North American Engine Business. "The support of this engine will easily be integrated into Cummins distributors and authorized dealer shops, and into customer operations with fleets that are running the broad range of dependable Cummins power."
While Cummins has yet to receive commitments from OEMs looking to offer the engine, the company is confident opportunities will materialize, as there is currently a void in the market. Customers today in the applications best suited for the ISV5.0 are often using the larger ISB engine and underutilizing its capabilities. Or, they're running gasoline engines in which case there's an opportunity to gain some significant efficiencies.
