Power up with Western Star X-Series and Detroit

Technology and innovation in the transportation industry are constantly evolving, and for proof look no further than the tough new Western Star X-Series and its impressive array of Detroit drivelines.

Whether it’s Detroit’s DD16 or DD13 Gen 5 engines, the DT12 automated manual transmission, Detroit Assurance safety technology or Detroit Connect telematics, the new Western Star X-Series trucks harness fully integrated drivelines and sophisticated software that take modern trucking to the next level, all backed by industry-leading warranties.

Let’s explore the many features and benefits Detroit brings to the X-Series platform…

“The Detroit DD16, DD13 Gen 5, DT12, Assurance, and Connect portfolio of products and services herald the ultimate in economy, performance, reliability, support and safety for our customers,” declares Bob Gowans, Detroit Business Manager at Penske Australia.

“Whether our customers are operating in intrastate, linehaul, or rugged construction sites or logging applications, the innovative and powerful DD16 and DD13 Gen 5 engines will keep them rolling, maximising their productivity, reliability and uptime.”

The 13-litre DD13 Gen 5 offers 450 to 525hp (335 to 391kW) and 1550 to 1850lb-ft (2101 to 2508Nm) of torque. It is designed to deliver exceptional fuel economy with high performance and provides a 185kg weight advantage over the previous-generation DD15 in the legacy Western Stars.

The 16-litre DD16, meanwhile, offers 500 to 600hp (372 to 447kW) and 1850 to 2050lb-ft (2508 to 2779Nm) of torque, and now boasts even greater reliability.

“Exclusive to the X-Series, the new DD13 Gen 5 now offers up to 525hp (391kW), which is the highest rating of a 13-litre engine offered by Detroit,” says Bob.

“And the DD16 in the X-Series is now Detroit’s most high-performance on-highway engine, with a completely revised after-treatment system. Furthermore, the DD16 has retained the turbo-compounding technology that has proven extremely reliable in local Australian conditions over the last decade.

“Both engines also offer vastly improved uptime thanks to the extension of diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration intervals, now more than six times longer than in older ADR 80/03 engines. Today, the DD16 and DD13 Gen 5 powering the X-Series trucks are among the cleanest in the world, meeting the latest GHG-21 fuel economy standards, conforming to the US EPA-10 emissions standard, and being ready for the pending Australian ADR 80/04 regulation.”

The Detroit DD16 engine is the most powerful on-highway engine ever built by Detroit and it powers Western Star’s new flagship models, the 49X and 48X. It’s an engine right at home in heavy-duty applications requiring maximum power and torque.

The DD16 engine features an advanced turbocharging system that delivers unparalleled performance, up to 2050lb-ft and 600hp from a high-strength block and cylinder head for superior durability.

Customers will initially notice the DD16 engine’s ability to provide unmatched power and performance from incredibly low speeds right up to the maximum power speed of 1800rpm. One of the critical design features of the DD16 that gives this engine high power outputs is its advanced fuel system. Known as ACRS – it is an amplified common rail fuel injection system that allows for precise control of fuel pressure and flow throughout the injection process for precise fuel delivery and improved combustion efficiency. This results in improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

The DD16 engine also features the latest in engine control module (ECM) technology that not only controls the engine’s performance and emissions precisely, but also provides real-time data on the engine’s performance, allowing fleet managers to optimise their operations and reduce maintenance costs through the Detroit Connect telematics suite.

Overall, the DD16 engine represents a significant advance in diesel engine technology. Its advanced fuel system, turbocharger, and other design features provide customers with improved performance, exceptional fuel efficiency, and outstanding reliability. As such, the DD16 engine has become a popular choice among heavy-duty trucking fleets, helping operators improve their efficiency and profitability.

The Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine is a powerful and efficient engine available in Western Star’s 47X and 48X X-Series models. For over a decade, the original Detroit DD13 engine has been providing reliable performance and power to the trucking industry. However, with the release of the Gen 5 version of the DD13, this cornerstone of the Detroit range has been improved in multiple respects.

The development of the Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine began with a focus on further improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Through extensive research and development, the engineers at Detroit achieved both of these goals while increasing power output and overall engine durability.

One of the key differences between the Gen 5 engine and its predecessor is the use of an asymmetric turbocharger with an updated fuel injection system and an improved cylinder head design. This innovative design allows for more efficient airflow through the engine, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.

Another significant improvement with the Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine is the use of a new piston design. The Gen 5 engine features a longer, more durable piston designed to withstand modern diesel engines’ high temperatures and pressures. This improved piston design also contributes to better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, allowing for more complete combustion of fuel and air.

And on top of that, enhanced thermal management systems such as asymmetric injection and an Auto Elevate after-treatment system ensure optimal temperatures during periods of idling and low-load PTO operation for fewer regens. These features, in turn, reduce downtime and maintenance costs for trucking companies and allow drivers to spend more time on the road.

The Detroit DT12 transmission is packed with cutting-edge technology that has transformed the trucking industry since its introduction. This transmission is a result of years of research and development by Daimler Truck North America (DTNA). The Detroit DT12 is a fully automated 12-speed transmission system designed to deliver superior fuel efficiency, increased uptime, and improved driver comfort, but let’s unpack its advantages in greater detail…

One of the primary benefits of the Detroit DT12 transmission is increased fuel efficiency. The transmission’s automated shifting capability ensures the truck is always in the optimal gear, which results in better fuel economy. According to DTNA, the Detroit DT12 transmission delivers up to five per cent better fuel efficiency than a manual transmission. This results in significant cost savings for customers, reducing one of the most significant expenses in the trucking industry.

“The Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission is globally proven, having been subjected to over 35 million miles of rigorous testing in a range of challenging applications,” Bob says.

Available in two heavy-duty variants, DT12-OV and DT12-OVX, this automated 12-speed transmission is capable of combination weights beyond 155 tonnes and boasts both on-highway economy and performance modes, as well as rock-free and off-road functions.

It also incorporates power launch features and provision for side and rear power take-off (PTO) capabilities. Furthermore, the DT12 transmission features a range of advanced technologies, such as predictive shifting and eco-roll, which help to optimise fuel economy and reduce driver fatigue. Add to that a creep mode, which enables slow-speed manoeuvring without the need for the driver to engage the clutch.

“The Detroit Assurance Suite (DAS) is an automated safety and collision mitigation system which is highly effective in avoiding or reducing collision severity, thereby taking the Detroit safety product to the next level in truck capability, safety and driver comfort,” Mr Gowans says.

“The Detroit Assurance Suite of advanced safety systems utilises a combination of radar and high-definition camera technology to activate its state-of-the-art features, including Side Guard Assist, Active Brake Assist 5, adaptive cruise control, tailgate warning, and lane departure warning.”

Detroit Connect Suite (DCS) of vehicle services, including the Detroit Connect Virtual Technician (DCVT) remote diagnostic service, contribute to the performance and uptime of the Western Star X-Series by providing real-time fault and performance data so operators can make informed decisions about vehicle servicing to reduce downtime. Furthermore, every Detroit-powered X-Series comes with a five-year subscription to Detroit Connect services as standard.

The Detroit Connect telematics system gives operators insights into the safety performance of their fleet, providing data from the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems to help identify potential driver safety improvements and improving vehicle performance.

The Detroit Connect Virtual Technician telematics system also features advanced diagnostic tools to help to identify potential issues before they become significant problems, making this telematics system ideal for operations managers required to monitor vehicle performance and minimise downtime closely. By offering a telematics system truly optimised for efficiency and performance, Western Star and Detroit have positioned themselves as leaders in the telematics market.

Overall, the Detroit-powered Western Star X-Series represents a major progression in trucking. With its focus on fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and improved durability, the X-Series stands tall as an excellent choice for trucking companies looking to upgrade their fleets. And with Detroit’s many customer-focused benefits incorporated throughout the Western Star X-Series, this robust, efficient and smart new range is sure to attract drivers and operators who favour reliability, performance, and ease of maintenance, in a truck bred tough to go the distance.

For more information on the new Western Star X-Series range, head to the Western Star web page.