Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies has introduced a new fuel economy-focused calibration specifically designed to meet and exceed the distinctive demands of the Mexican commercial trucking industry.
The newly configured 18-speed Eaton UltraShift PLUS MXP automated transmission will be paired with a Cummins ISX15 diesel engine, delivering a powertrain designed for premium performance and maximum fuel efficiency in Mexico’s unique driving conditions, the companies say. Wednesday’s news also follows Eaton’s expanding of its aftermarket distribution network in Mexico Tuesday.
“We collaborated with local Eaton, Cummins, and customer experts to analyze duty cycles and fuel economy requirements for the region,” says Alex Stucky, product strategy manager, linehaul, Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies. “We then took the UltraShift PLUS MXP transmission, which is typically targeted for highly demanding and rigorous applications, and developed fuel economy calibrations optimized to the Cummins ISX15 engine models available in Mexico.”
Stucky added that more than 100 key parameters were analyzed, modified and tuned on the UltraShiftPLUS MXP automated transmission. These included alterations to downshift points, upshift points, retarder limits, demand modulations, acceleration pedal tuning, and grade offsets while leveraging MXP gear ratio coverage to maintain engine efficiency. The new powertrain package will be available as a service release in December, with production availability in the first quarter of 2018, Eaton Cummins says.
The joint venture’s newest integrated powertrain offering is available with IntelliConnect for fleets in Mexico using Geotab web-based analytics. IntelliConnect is a telematics capable system that provides near real-time monitoring of vehicle fault codes, prioritizes the critical events and provides accurate and comprehensive action plans by technical experts at Eaton, the company says.
