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Dennis Eagle Ltd
The Elite 6 – performing well
TBC
07/05/14
587
On 1st January this year, Euro 6 regulations came into force. From now on, all new trucks
and buses sold must meet these stringent new guidelines on nitrous oxide and
particulate emissions, which have been reduced through ever-tighter regulation to 1%
of their levels in 1990. The latest round of rules are the strictest part of the EU’s bid to
improve air quality by limiting exhaust emissions yet, and it’s estimated the 6 largest
manufacturers in the UK have spent a collective £10 billion to meet them. To get a
better understanding of the effects of Euro 6, we examined how these changes affect
manufacturers and operators like RCV manufacturer Dennis Eagle.
One of the biggest changes for the Euro 6 standards was the restriction of diesel
particulates and soot in the exhaust. This requires the addition of EGR components,
Selective Catalytic Reduction and AdBlue injection to reduce harmful nitrogen oxides.
The new technology is neither cheap nor lightweight, adding roughly 150kg more
weight. The question is, can Euro 6-standard refuse collection vehicles outperform
earlier models even with the exhaust-scrubbing changes?
Initial signs are good; Dennis Eagle has already received positive feedback from early
adopters, having delivered over 200 Euro 6-compliant vehicles since the start of the
year. Oxford Council, a significant early customer, has already placed another order for a
further 6 vehicles.
The beating heart of the Elite 6 is the 6-cylinder 7.7-litre Volvo D8K, linked to a 5thgeneration Allison 3000P. Putting 280 or 320bhp to the road (depending on
specification), real-world experience is showing that the Elite 6 vehicles are lifting the
same payloads with the same fuel economy and far lower emissions than the Euro 5standard trucks. Diesel particulate filters are lasting far longer than expected –
significant, given the expense of their replacement. Early reports indicate that fuel
consumption is marginally better than the previous Elite 5, though official figures can’t
be released until more data is gathered.
Positive feedback from customers operating the Elite 6 goes beyond the engine and
performance: Dennis Eagle’s redesign accommodated the new regulations without
sacrificing reliability or usability. Drivers have praised the quality of the ride and
handling, noting the smoothness of the ride and shift action of the remapped Allison
gearbox. After a few teething issues, service departments have found the Elite 6 to be
reliable since its introduction in early February.
Dennis Eagle also used the change to Euro 6 standards to drive through more
progressive changes in design and manufacturing, incorporating more up-front
modelling, simulations and more advanced materials. Dennis Eagle’s Warwick
production line itself is now more efficient, faster and less wasteful after being reworked to simplify construction and accommodate the changes made for Euro 6.
Despite having more features and greater complexity, Dennis Eagle can build the Elite 6
in less time than the outgoing Euro 5 model, as Carl Hughes, Director of Manufacturing
and Production, explains.
”As with any significant change, it’s natural to be apprehensive of the effects, which is
why so much planning went into our approach to Euro 6. We’ve found that the changes
allowed us to rethink the way we operate and improve on processes rather than be
restricted by them. By meeting the challenge head-on we’ve been able to roll out the
new standard for our entire range, not just a single chassis or body style.”
If vehicle manufacturers can meet and overcome engineering challenges with the same
positive attitude, expect the truck market in 2014 and beyond to be healthy – and
cleaner than ever before.
-ENDSFor further press information or images, please contact Dan Crowley of Denfield
Advertising on 01926 881178 or email dancrowley@denfield.co.uk