Detroit Diesel Corp. this week unveiled its new Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission. Part of the Detroit complete powertrain offering, the company said the DT12 combines the operational ease of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual transmission, resulting in enhanced fuel economy, vehicle performance and safety.
“The DT12 transmission complements the Detroit engines and axles with features that positively impact efficiency and performance,” said Brad Williamson, manager, engine and component marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. “The Detroit brand has long been synonymous with power and economy, and the DT12 continues our legacy of benefitting our customers’ bottom lines.”
Available in the Freightliner Cascadia, the DT12 maximizes fuel efficiency for line-haul/long-haul operations. Adding to the transmission’s overall economy is its lightweight design, which offers additional payload because of its aluminum housing and single counter shaft, according to Detroit.
The 12-speed, direct- or over-drive automated manual DT12 combines a traditional manual gearbox with high-speed, computer-controlled shift and clutch actuators that automatically and seamlessly select the right shift pattern and perfect clutch engagement for fuel economy and engine power, the maker added. The DT12’s creepmode simulates a torque converter to improve low speed maneuverability for parking, docking, heavy traffic and other low speed situations.
Advanced technologies include Skip Shift, which automatically skips gears, enabling the transmission to run through lower gears faster to achieve cruising speed sooner; and eCoast, which allows the vehicle to ‘coast’ down grades with the engine operating at idle speeds while preserving vehicle momentum, maximizing fuel efficiency.
A proprietary control module communicates with the entire powertrain, giving the transmission and engine the ability to share information and offer complimentary functions, which Detroit said gives the transmission an advantage that only a proprietary powertrain can provide.
The DT12 also features: helical gears and geometrical optimized gear-cut for noise reduction; pneumatic clutch and shift actuation for faster gear shifts; and a choice between eco or power-mode configuration.
The transmission comes standard with a 5-year/750,000-mi. warranty, with a 2-year/200,000-mi. warranty on the clutch. The DT12 is equipped with Virtual Technician, the factory installed on-board diagnostics system.
