Scania launches most powerful Euro 6 engine yet
Scania is forging ahead with its Euro 6 engine programme, having just introduced the most powerful engine yet to conform to the new emissions standard. The 730 hp V8 joins the lineup alongside existing 520 and 580 hp variants.
All three engines are based on the 16.4 litre design that first appeared in 2010 and use water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation, SCR aftertreatment and a variablegeometry turbo.
Scania’s Euro 6 730 has a wider torque curve than its Euro 5 predecessor with maximum force of 3,500 Nm available from 1,000 to 1,400 rpm. This necessitates the standard fitment of Scania’s ‘reinforced’ Opticruise gearbox. Cooling requirements mean that the V8 engine range is only available under the R cab.
Various axle configurations are available to suit specialist or general haulage applications including single or double drive rear axles with or without hub reduction. Scania’s main driver in introducing such a powerful engine is Sweden raising its gross weight limits to 76 tonnes.
Whilst such a move is unlikely in the United Kingdom, there are nevertheless a number of operators who will still be attracted to the prospect of running an engine with such power. More UK operators are likely to be interested in a new 370 hp version of the 13-litre straight six, which produces 1,900 Nm of torque from 1,000 rpm.
Scania says it is ideal for applications where a wide range of weights are carried: for instance tippers which are fully-loaded on one leg of the journey and unladen for the other. Indeed, one of the first customers to try the straight six is Swinton tipper owner-driver Melvin Smith who, unlike many of his competitors, has decided against buying a new Euro 5 truck while time allowed.
“Both the local city councils and various construction companies – or rather their clients – can set various environmental requirements,” he said.
“With this truck, I’m not worried. Also, I can’t deny that it’s fun to have the latest, which an old haulier like me isn’t used to really. To be honest, it’s really good to know that I have done my bit to minimise pollution between the red lights in the city.
“Most drivers around here have just under 400 hp, no matter which brand they drive. The decisive factor for me was the price and the fact that Scania 370 class with its 1,900 Nm has more torque than many much larger engines from other manufacturers. With the kind of jobs I get the truck is frequently empty on one leg of the journey. On the other hand, it’s not unusual to have 20 tonnes on the truck and do lots of starts and stops. This seems like a sensible compromise between load capacity, fuel consumption and drivability. So far it has worked exactly as advertised by the Scania dealer.”
Scania now offers eleven different diesel engines, with five, six and eight cylinders, at the Euro 6 rating. Meanwhile, the manufacturer has also launched two new Euro 6 engines capable of running on concentrations of EN 14214 biodiesel of up to 100 per cent: most Euro 6 trucks will not run on biofuel.
The five-cylinder, nine-litre straight sixes are rated at 320 and 360 hp, and can also run on conventional diesel, but have shorter service intervals than their mineral fuel only counterparts.
Exhaust gas recirculation is not used in the biofuel engines because of the high amounts of particulate matter produced, so there is a consequent increase in consumption of AdBlue by the SCR system to keep NOx output within acceptable limits. Fuel consumption is higher too, because of the low energy content of biofuel. These engines are thought to be the only pure biofuel diesels to achieve Euro 6.
