Navistar on Track with Unique 2010 Engine Emissions

Navistar has always blazed its own trail, tracing its manufacturing roots back to 1831 when Cyrus McCormick invented the reaping machine. Today the company is one of the biggest makers and OEMs of diesel engines (as well as a maker of truck brands like Workhorse and International). For its latest round of engine emission technologies, the company is using a rather unique choice — exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

This technology (popular in the equipment industry, but not in on-highway applications) involves refining current engine technology to provide an in-cylinder solution involving systems like advanced fuel injection, air management, electronic controls and proprietary combustion technology. Continuing on its path to meet the latest emissions requirements through its Advanced EGR MaxxForce engines, Navistar recently announced it is on track with its 2010 engine testing and will be prepared for a successful engine launch in the months ahead.

“We are on track with our strategy of 2010 emissions compliance through the use of our EGR-only solution and are ahead of schedule in some cases,” said Jack Allen, president of Navistar’s North American truck group. “With our lineup of MaxxForce Advanced EGR engines, we’re delivering a simple and straightforward solution that places the responsibility of emissions compliance on us, the manufacturer, not the customer.”

Navistar has completed rigorous testing and analysis in both its engine labs and field test units during the last 18 months. This past March, Navistar completed its final stages of cold weather testing in northern Minnesota, one of the colder locations in North America and well known for its frigid climate throughout the winter months.

“As we reach the final stages of our testing and validation processes, we’re excited about our progress in bringing to market some of the cleanest and most energy-efficient diesel engines ever produced,” said Ramin Younessi, group vice president of product development and business strategy. “Completing the validation phase of our test engines is a major milestone, but our work isn’t done yet. As with any new engine program, up until the day we build that first truck, we will continue to fine tune our engines, make the necessary adjustments, test and validate to ensure our customers have the performance and reliability they expect.”

Other major truck and engine manufacturers are choosing to meet 2010 emissions through liquid urea-based Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), which requires the use of chemical urea, as well as significant after treatment equipment that will add hundreds of pounds to each vehicle, says Navistar. Navistar’s EGR approach does not require the use of urea or the addition of heavy on-vehicle urea storage tanks, converters, heaters and the additional electronics required by SCR systems. MaxxForce Advanced EGR engines set Navistar apart from the competition with a no-hassle, business-as-usual solution that will deliver lower total operating costs for customers.