Eaton and Cummins Westport Announce First Automated Transmission with Spark-Ignited Natural Gas Engine for North American Market

ISX12 G (Photo: Business Wire)

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--()--Power management company Eaton and Cummins Westport, a joint-venture company of Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) and Westport Innovations (NASDAQ: WPRT/TSX: WPT), today announced an integrated powertrain package for the Cummins Westport ISX12 G natural gas engine that will provide customers with the first automated transmission to be paired with a spark-ignited natural gas engine in the North American market. The powertrain will combine an Eaton UltraShift® PLUS automated transmission with the Cummins Westport ISX12 G engine.

Speaking at a media event today at the American Trucking Associations’ annual Technology & Maintenance Council meeting, executives said this product announcement is a continuation of the long-standing collaboration between Eaton and Cummins, and builds upon the announcement one year ago of the SmartAdvantage™ Powertrain package for the Cummins ISX15 diesel engine. With the interest in alternative fuels driving more fleets to integrate natural gas engines into their portfolio, this product will meet a growing market need while providing best-in-class technology.

“Providing our customers with the product offerings that meet the needs of their operation is what this collaboration is about,” said Lori Thompson, Cummins Vice President – Truck and Bus OEM Business. “We are delighted to provide an integrated package to customers who desire natural gas power paired with an automated transmission in their fleets.”

“We are proud to be able to offer North American fleet customers the first automated transmission to be integrated with a spark-ignited natural gas engine, which shows the level of customer commitment our teams are focused on providing,” said John Beering, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Vehicle Transmission Business, Eaton. “We are confident that our customers will find this powertrain an excellent value compared with other automatic transmission alternatives.”

The UltraShift PLUS automated transmission offers maximum power capacity, superior acceleration and low-speed maneuverability. Paired with the ISX12 G, the new powertrain package will be available for limited application release for linehaul and regional haul in mid-2014.

The Cummins Westport ISX12 G natural gas engine with heavy-duty durability is based on the Cummins ISX12 diesel engine, and operates on 100 percent natural gas, which can be carried on the vehicle in either compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) form. Ideally suited for regional haul applications, the ISX12 G has a robust power band at 1500-1800 rpm, and delivers excellent responsiveness, with peak torque at 1200 rpm. This industry-leading heavy-duty natural gas engine is available with horsepower of 320 hp to 400 hp (239-298 kW) with 1450 lb-ft (1966 N•m) peak torque.

The powertrain package benefits include:

  • Intelligent shift selection software for performance and efficiency improvements
  • Better launch and shift decisions through grade sensing, weight computation and driver throttle commands
  • Hill Start Aid, which prevents rollbacks when engaged, reduces risk and simplifies operations for even the most inexperienced drivers
  • Tailored shift logic enables efficient operation and enhances braking performance

The Cummins Westport ISX12 G engine can now be paired with either the UltraShift PLUS automated transmission or the Eaton Fuller Advantage Series manual transmission. Customers can rely on the proven service support offered today through Eaton’s unparalleled Roadranger® team of sales and service professionals and Cummins extensive distributor and dealer service and support network.

About Eaton

Eaton is a power management company with 2013 sales of $22.0 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 102,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit eaton.com.

About Cummins Westport

Cummins Westport Inc. designs, engineers and markets spark-ignited natural gas engines for medium- and heavy-duty transportation applications such as trucks and buses. Cummins Westport is a joint venture of Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI), a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems, and Westport Innovations Inc. (NASDAQ: WPRT/TSX: WPT), a global leader in alternative fuel, low-emissions technologies that allow engines to operate on clean-burning fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen and biofuels such as landfill gas. For more information, visit www.cumminswestport.com.

Contacts

Eaton Corporation Vehicle Group
Jim Michels, 248-226-6806 (office)
248-245-9138 (cell)
jamesjmichels@eaton.com
or
Cummins Inc.
Christy House, 812-377-5141
christy.n.house@cummins.com

Contacts

Eaton Corporation Vehicle Group
Jim Michels, 248-226-6806 (office)
248-245-9138 (cell)
jamesjmichels@eaton.com
or
Cummins Inc.
Christy House, 812-377-5141
christy.n.house@cummins.com