LISLE, Ill. — Innovations in International Truck’s 2020 on-highway lineup will provide customers with the enhanced fuel efficiency and improved uptime that are critical to their business.
“International Truck has made strides forward by listening to what drives our customers’ businesses,” said Michael Cancelliere, president, truck, Navistar. “And with this understanding, we’re delivering new offerings and enhancements with greater impact than ever before.”
Cancelliere said the International LT and RH Series on-highway vehicles are benefiting from advances in aerodynamics, powertrain and software systems that are increasing fuel efficiency in the 2020 product lineup.
Fuel efficiency improvement for the LT Series will be up to 8.2%, when comparing a fully equipped 2020 model to a unit built just one year earlier.
Aerodynamics can contribute 50% to overall fuel efficiency, so it is critical to reduce aerodynamic drag. Aerodynamic advances offered for 2020 include:
- Enhanced roof fairing
- Day cab extenders that are 12 inches longer, closing the tractor-trailer gap
- Sleeper cab extenders are 3 inch longer, reducing the tractor-trailer gap
- Steering wheel closeouts around the front tires
- Longer chassis skirt Vidon strips, which enhance aerodynamics and are damage resistant
- New cab-to-skirt closeouts to further reduce wind drag
- 1-inch lower bumper valence
- Flow Below 2.0 design, optimized for the International LT Series
“Keeping the airflow ‘attached’ to the vehicle can result in smoother airflow around the vehicle, reducing turbulence that can increase drag and decrease fuel efficiency,” said Chet Ciesielski, vice president, on-highway business, Navistar. “That’s why International has introduced a range of aerodynamic features to help improve customers’ profitability.”
Both the International Fuel Efficiency MPG Aerodynamic and Powertrain packages have been updated to reflect these latest innovations maximizing customers’ fuel efficiency.
Ciesielski said powerful, reliable big-bore engines are also critical to fuel efficiency and uptime. Today, 60% of the Top 10 dedicated contract carriers are operating the International LT Series powered by the International A26 engine, which has been delivering optimal uptime and fuel efficiency in a lightweight design since its launch in early 2017, he said.
“As a testament to their positive experience, many early A26 customers are returning to purchase additional LT Series trucks powered by A26 engines,” Ciesielski said. “The A26 engine has logged millions of miles hauling customer products, proving to customers that it is delivering on the company’s uptime promise.”
In addition, improvements in the Cummins X15 engine used in the LT Series 2020 models will yield 2.8% better fuel efficiency over earlier versions of the Cummins X15.
Ciesielski said an added tool in the pursuit of improved fuel efficiency is Predictive Cruise Control, which is now standard on the 2020 LT Series, the RH Series and the International LoneStar. The system allows drivers to set an average cruise speed, and the customer to define an allowable range above and below that average. The vehicle will then use topographical map data with the onboard GPS to adjust vehicle speed for maximum fuel efficiency and reduced foundation brake wear.
With Predictive Cruise Control, and using the International A26 engine, drivers can anticipate an average of 2% savings in fuel efficiency, based on a 50/50 mix of flat and hilly terrain, Ciesielski said.
“Expert drivers save fuel by managing the vehicle’s speed, engine load and vehicle weight, as well as the road grade,” he said. “With Predictive Cruise Control, drivers gain valuable assistance in managing these factors for improved fuel efficiency.”
Remote engine calibration using cellular is now included in new LT series and RH series models.
Remote engine calibration updates using a cellular connection are a critical tool in improving vehicle uptime. The updates allow customers to keep their engines operating with peak performance and fuel efficiency without returning to home base or stopping at a dealer location for an update.
New International LT and International RH Series trucks now in production, equipped with an International A26 engine, include the capability to make remote cellular over-the-air updates to authorized engine calibrations and programmable parameters.
“This innovation builds on International’s pioneering introduction of over-the-air calibration using a WiFi signal,” Ciesielski said. “Remote programming of engine parameters enables customers to control factors that deliver performance, safety and efficiency.”
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
