Drivers find plenty of power in International’s new MaxxForce engines for Class 8 trucks

(Courtesy International)

By DOROTHY COX
The Trucker Staff

1/26/2008

LAS VEGAS – Order books opened the week of Jan. 24 for International Truck and Engine Corp.’s new MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 big bore engines for Class 8 commercial trucks.

The engines feature twin-series turbochargers operating in unison with an integrated heat-management system called Eco-Therm.

Customers and members of the media turned out in here to experience the engines first hand, with a ride-and-drive session, plus input from test drivers, engineers and company representatives.

Test driver Bob Decker, 67, with Dohrn Transfer Co. out of Rock Island, Ill., said the engine “purrs like a kitten; I can’t wait to go to work each day.”

T.L. Butler, who hauls for Silver Eagle Distributors, one of the country’s leading beer distributors, said the engine has “a lot of power. And since we’re paid by the ton, with the reduced weight [the engines are built on a compacted graphite iron block], the more you haul the more you make.”

The engines are built specifically for International brand Class 8 trucks and will be offered as an option exclusively in models of International’s ProStar line-haul tractors, TranStar regional-haul tractors and WorkStar severe service vehicles.

The engines feature fuel system electronics, air-management system, EGR and aftertreatment technologies developed by International specifically for high performance at low emission levels, the company noted.

Test drivers said the new engines are extremely quiet, and on the test ride, the engine brake could barely be heard.

As company spokesmen put it, the new engines provide “Outstanding fuel economy, excellent power and torque, quiet operation with low noise, vibration and harshness, and high strength without added weight.”

The smaller primary turbo responds very quickly to deliver air for immediate take-off at low engine speeds, while the larger secondary turbo maintains peak power at high speeds and grade changes.

Butler said he found the power to be sufficient at low torque take-off, and didn’t have to give it as much fuel once the truck was rolling. He found the sweet spot to be at 1,500 rpms.

Butler and other drivers said it did take some getting used to, however: the engine runs so quietly, they said, that one doesn’t “hear” when to change gears.

Find out more about the new MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 big bore engines in the Feb. 15 print edition of The Trucker.