Peterbilt Introduces Medium-Duty CNG Platform

[kscarbel2]

Heavy Duty Trucking / March 27, 2015

Peterbilt Motors Company introduced two new medium-duty vehicles -- the Model 337 and the Model 348 -- powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) during this week's Mid-America Trucking Show. Both vehicles are now in production and can be configured as trucks or tractors.

“Peterbilt is the established market leader in natural-gas powered Class 8 commercial vehicles and we’re pleased to bring this expertise to medium-duty markets,” said Darrin Siver, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president. “Peterbilt’s award-winning medium-duty trucks – renowned for their versatility, quality and performance – are now available for customers who want to operate with cost-effective, environmentally sound CNG. This is an ideal choice for dump, refuse, and short- and regional-haul operations.”

According to Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt Chief Engineer, the new medium-duty models are optimized for this configuration with 110-inch BBCs.

“The CNG Models 337 and 348 give Peterbilt the industry’s most competitive portfolio of natural-gas vehicles,” Newhouse said. “The dimensions provide a BBC two inches shorter than any competitive model and a cab height that is 2.5 inches lower.”

Newhouse said the optimized spec, including steering geometry that provides up to a 50 degree turning angle, provides improved maneuverability in congested city and jobsite operations.

Both the Models 348 and 337 are powered by the 8.9-liter Cummins Westport ISL-G with 320 hp and 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine complies with EPA 2010, 2013 and CARB emissions regulations, according to the company.

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[kscarbel2]

Sorely missed for the 337 and 348, and particularly for the 325 and 330, is a 6.7-liter ISB natural gas option from Cummins Westport. The virtually 9-liter ISL-G is overkill in the medium truck segment, and a good bit heavier.