Scania has debuted an even more powerful version of its popular 13-litre inline six-cylinder turbo diesel engine. The new DC13 166 produces 540 horsepower (397 kilowatts) at 1,800 rpm and 2,700 newton metres of torque at just 1,000 rpm.
“True to our promise to always tailor-make our offers, we identified a customer need for a top-of-the-line version of our 13-litre hero,” says Senior Vice President and Head of Scania Trucks Alexander Vlaskamp. “The improved fuel figures and the power-vs.-weight ratio will make this engine an attractive choice for many Scania customers.”
The new engine—technically a 12.7-litre—joins 370-, 410-, 450-, and 500-horsepower (276-, 306-, 336-, and 373-kilowatt) editions of the DC13 targeted toward various needs.
Fuel Savings
Despite its greater power, the four-valve-per-cylinder DC13 166 uses up to 2% less fuel, the company says. Like the 500 version, the new 540 engine uses a new, fixed-geometry turbo unit that has ball bearings instead of journal bearings. This helps both motors’ fuel economy, Scania says, as do smart auxiliaries and low internal friction.
“Our inline six range is industry-leading when it comes to fuel performance,” Vlaskamp says. “Scania trucks with 13-litre engines have been crowned ‘Green Truck’ for three consecutive years in Germany, and that is a remarkable feat.”
All DC13 engines use only SCR (selective catalytic reduction) for exhaust aftertreatment to meet emissions standards.
Use Cases
Scania says that the new 540 engine offers heavy-duty power where front-axle loads and other weight limitations come into play. The company builds V8 engines of 520 horsepower (388 kilowatts) and up, but they weigh “slightly” more, the company says.
“The powerful 540 is mainly intended for customers and markets where legal aspects regarding front axle loads keep them from choosing a V8,” says Vlaskamp. “Paired with the relevant gearing, this engine will work equally well for a timber truck or for a ‘tulip express.’ The latter travel European highways with rather light loads but are conscious about fuel consumption and average speeds.”
Vlaskamp adds that the new DC13’s torque characteristics allow “everything from a vehicle specified for high-speed cruising while using a low axle ratio to keep engine revs low at top speed, to excellent startability via hub reduction axles in applications such as forestry.”
You can find hundreds of nearly new Scania trucks for sale every day on TruckLocator, including models powered by DC13 diesels from the G Series, P Series, R Series, and other ranges.