A new Cummins X15 natural gas-powered engine is expected to undergo extensive testing overseas before any Australian launch
Cummins Inc. has revealed an entirely new 15 litre natural gas engine which is almost certainly the foundation for a radically revised heavy-duty diesel engine range.
In natural gas form, the engine is known as the X15N but in a press statement Cummins refers to the engine as, ‘The launch of our universal 15 litre platform for heavy-duty’ and cites a new strategy that ‘focuses on new powertrains including advanced diesel, natural gas, hydrogen engines, battery electric, and fuel cells.’
Despite the extensive natural gas componentry, images of the X15N highlight a vastly different block design and as reported in our accompanying Kenworth feature, the new engine appears to be ‘built on a sculpted block similar in principle to the livewire Cummins X12 engine.’
As we also reported, the new engine is expected to be significantly lighter than the current X15 with Cummins in the US revealing the engine will ‘weigh 500lb (227kg) less than comparable 15 litre diesel engines currently available on the market.’
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Breakthrough! Obviously installed in a K200, we believe this is a photo of the first M15 Cummins in Australia. Several years of testing will precede any launch of the engine, probably in a totally redesigned DAF XF
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The announcement of the new engine further fuels speculation that a high horsepower, high torque diesel version, perhaps labelled M15, will ultimately make an appearance in Australia under a Paccar product.
In our estimation, the first recipient will be the flagship XF version of a fully refurbished DAF range soon to be launched in Europe.
It may, however, be a few years yet before a DAF powered by the new Cummins platform appears in Australia.
One thing’s for sure, extensive testing here and overseas will precede any launch on the Australian market.
In fact, the recent appearance of what looks like a significantly different Cummins engine under a cab-over which is definitely a Kenworth, suggests local testing may have already started in earnest.
Stay tuned!