International Truck and Engine Corp. says its new ProStar is the result of five years, $300 million in development and the continuous collaboration of dealer and customer advisory boards.
According to the truck maker, the truck’s aerodynamic design is critical to its ability to deliver crucial fuel economy performance. International engineers used computational fluid dynamics, a computerized mathematical discipline, to optimize designs in the early stages of the process and 1/8 scale wind tunnel testing for basic shape development. Full-scale wind tunnel testing with a trailer attached revealed an eight percent drag reduction compared to International’s previous model.
Initial production will be based on 122-inch BBC tractors with day cab and high-rise sleeper configurations. The second phase of production will include additional BBC and sleeper configuration options. Shipments of the new International ProStar to dealers will begin in the first quarter of 2007.
T he potential of high under hood temperatures generated by 2007 emissions -compliant diesel engines standards is causing International to develop a new hood design and cooling system for its 7000 Series trucks . Since the model’s larger radiator will not be located between the frame rails , the trucks will still be able to provide front PTO options for applications such as well-drilling, oil field, remote power generators and field service pumpers. Additionally, the design allows for other non-stationary applications, including refuse trucks, concrete mixers and snowplows.
Internation al’s new hood design includes a three-piece layout so only one of the three components would need to be replaced in the event of damage. This helps fleets avoid paying for an entirely new hood, when they have the option to replace just the damaged portion of the hood at a significantly lower cost.
Also, a new International No Idle APU allows drivers to operate heating or air conditioning, as well as “hotel loads,” such as a microwave or television, without running the engine of the truck. It offers 6kW, 120-volt AC power; plus 50 Amp, 12-volt battery charging; and provides 10,000 BTUs an hour of air conditioning or heat.
Drivers can control the climate via a thermostat control panel located in the sleeper. The system also has an economy mode, which will start and turn off the APU, if the batteries get too low, saving additional fuel. A n optional key fob will allows drivers to remotely start the APU to cool or heat the cab from up to 1000-feet away from the truck.
The air conditioning and heater unit for the APU is mounted in the passenger-side luggage compartment and is accessible for service from either in- cab under the bunk or through the right side luggage door. The APU design takes up 21-inches of rail frame and service intervals have been synchronized with the normal service schedule so that an oil change is only required every 500 hours.
The truck OE also offers an integrated fuel fired cab and engine heater with engine preheat option for cold starting. The system is integrated into the truck’s cooling and heating system. It allows for engine only preheat and has a single coolant fill location. The coolant heating system is designed to provide enough engine preheating capacity to allow the truck to start at temperatures as low as minus 20-degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally , a s hore p ower option is also available , which automatically transfer s to AC shore power , when available, allowing a driver to operate the heater or air conditioner using an external power source. Shore power will also provide power to charge batteries, operate running lights and some hotel loads .
International Truck and Engine Corp.
