Update from the road: Hands on with the Detroit DD8 engine, Peterbilt Model 579 UltraLoft

Update from the road: Hands on with the Detroit DD8 engine, Peterbilt Model 579 UltraLoft

After a slow January, travel picked up for the FE team in February with two major events: the first was a test drive of Detroit’s new DD8, 7.7-liter engine in sunny Palm Beach Florida.

The DD8 offers the following power ratings:

The DD8 single turbo offering boasts engine ratings of:
• 260 HP, 660 ft./lb.
• 260 HP, 720 ft./lb.
• 280 HP, 800 ft./lb.
• 300 HP, 860 ft./lb.
The dual-stage turbo configuration offers:
• 330 HP, 1,000 ft./lb.
• 350 HP, 1,050 ft./lb.
• 375 HP, 1,050 ft./lb.

and impressive oil drain intervals:

• 55,000 miles for shot haul applications;
• 60,000 miles for long haul applications; and
• 45,000 miles for severe-duty applications.

That’s not to say that you should wait to do your first oil change at forty five thousand miles. The extended drain intervals mean that you have more flexibility in your maintenance scheduling.

Did you know that we have fresh truck stories and equipment insight served up on our website every day? Click here to sign up for our newsletter to have the latest delivered straight to your inbox.

One of the DD8’s most interesting capabilities is its Variable Cam Phasing, a new engine innovation Detroit has introduced to address aftertreatment system headaches that plague vocational fleets. In applications in which long idle time allows the exhaust to cool down to the point where it’s not burning particulate matter off of the DPF, the truck would need to force a regen to get it rolling again. The goal of variable cam phasing is to force the engine heat into the exhaust system more quickly to keep the aftertreatment system temperature up and reduce forced regen situations.

After the test drive, I hopped on a plane and headed across the country to Scottsdale Arizona where Peterbilt unveiled its UltraLoft Model 579 cab configurations. This thing is massive–one configuration sports a spacious single bed, while the other offers a roomy double bunk setup.

Both 80-in. integral sleepers offer massive amounts of headroom, an impressive array of storage—70 cu ft to be precise–large microwave, fridge, a 42-in. hanging height wardrobe, and enough room to fit a 32-in. flat screen TV. Both lower bunks measure in at 85-in. long and 42-in. wide, while the double bunk configuration adds an 82-in. long, 36-in. wide upper bunk.

While that will make drivers happy, the UltraLoft also boasts up to a 2% fuel economy improvement and is 100 pounds lighter when compared to the Model 579 discreet sleeper.

You May Also Like

How Volvo Trucks aims to change preconceived powertrain notions

Rethinking traditional truck spec’ing notions, spotlighting sustainability in diesel technology.

Volvo-Trucks-TMC-VNL-1400-WEB

I'll play devil's advocate to: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"--it might not be broken, but could it be better? Sure, your tried-and-true truck spec has worked for you for years, but the latest trucks have model year generations of refinements built into them. Whenever an OEM unveils a new truck with improved fuel efficiency percentages, the rub is that they're comparing the brand-new spec to their previous "best spec". Chances are, as a fleet manager, you're not replacing the truck you bought last year. You're replacing a truck that's five or six years old (if your lifecycles have returned to pre-pandemic normal).

Freightliner M2, SD Plus Series launch updates its medium-duty truck offering

Freightliner introduced the new Plus Series–enhanced versions of its M2 and SD models, including the M2 106 Plus, M2 112 Plus, 108SD Plus, and 114SD Plus. The enhanced models provide a major update to the interior and electrical systems of the M2 and SD models. The OEM noted that the Plus Series is designed to

Freightliner-MD-SD-Plus-Series-1400
Truck cruise control technology that looks at the road ahead

If you’ve ever visited the Northeast region of the country, you’ve most likely encountered intimidating terrain. The winding roads. The steep hills. The intricate routes that challenge any seasoned driver, and, most recently, advanced cruise control systems that aim to improve fuel efficiency and driver comfort.   Related Articles – Four ways A.I. can help cut

Four ways A.I. can help cut diesel fuel costs

The fluctuation of fuel prices has made it more challenging to operate day-to-day. Drivers get paid by the mile, and, when fuel costs go up, margins shrink, impacting how fleets profit and pay their employees. Intelligent technology can lessen the impact of high prices by improving overall fuel efficiency. Related Articles – New ways to

trucking-technology-hacking
Peterbilt GM Jason Skoog charts today’s truck support, tomorrow’s truck solutions

Peterbilt made headlines recently when it became the first major North American OEM to open orders for an electric truck, the Peterbilt 220EV. In this exclusive interview, Peterbilt General Manager and PACCAR Vice President Jason Skoog details the technology investments that are keeping fleets productive during this year’s trying pandemic and laying the groundwork for

Peterbilt General Manager PACCAR Technology Electric Truck

Other Posts

Peterbilt receives 2024 Environment + Energy Leader Award

The E+E Leader Awards celebrate advancements in the realms of environmental, sustainability and energy management.

Peterbilt-2024-Environment-Energy-Leader-Award
Peterbilt offers Cummins X15N natural gas engine in Models 579, 567, 520

Orders are scheduled for production in Q3 of this year.

2024-cummins-X15N-Fuel-Agnostic-engine
Truck maintenance recommendations for the spring season

Brian Screeton of Bendix talks about what maintenance practices fleets should put into place for their trucks, trailers and components during the spring.

OTR-Spring-Maintenance-1400
Apollo Tire talks national accounts program, full truck tire lineup

Making its second TMC appearance, Apollo Tire tells us how it was able to release a truck tire lineup so quickly.

apollo-tmc-2024-1400