REDFORD, MI – After nearly five years and $1.5 billion in development, the new heavy-duty Detroit Diesel DD15 engine has been unveiled at the Detroit Diesel plant. The DD15 displaces 14.8L, and is a six-cylinder, in-line design. It is intended to offer superlative performance in all heavy-duty, North American truck and coach applications, and features best-in-class fuel consumption as well as industry-leading power and performance.

The DD15 achieves its goals through the application of a new Amplified Common Rail System (ACRS), as well as turbo compounding technology. This engine is the first in a series of new heavy-duty engines from Detroit Diesel, which eventually will cover three displacement categories: 12.8L, 14.8L, and 15.6L.

The market launch of the DD15 in the Freightliner Cascadia will take place in the second quarter of 2008, followed by the Freightliner Century S/T and Columbia models and the Sterling Set-Back L-Line and A-Line. The DD15 is part of the Heavy-Duty Engine Platform, which will ultimately be manufactured by Daimler Trucks in Germany, Japan and the United States.

In time, engines sharing this design will be available in all Daimler Trucks heavy-duty models around the world, including Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi Fuso trucks. Ultimately, this Engine Platform will replace four, distinct engine series used today by Daimler Trucks brands globally.

The Heavy-Duty Engine Platform features 90 percent globally shared parts. Engine development and production are being managed on an international level to further facilitate efficiencies.

Designed for the rigors of North American roads, the DD15 will be offered in output and torque variants from 455 hp to 560 hp and 1,550 to 1,850 lb/ft, including dual torque ratings for special applications. The DD15 will be produced at the Detroit Diesel plant in Redford, Mich., which has been completely refurbished and retooled at a cost of $275 million.