Detroit DD15, Safety Options Now Optional In Sterling Trucks

Sterling Truck says Detroit Diesel's new DD15 heavy truck diesel is now available in its A and L models. The builder also announced new safety options, including Knorr-Bendix air disc brakes, an Eaton collision

warning system and a Meritor Wabco anti-rollover system, in those and certain Acterra truck models.
The company said the DD15, a 14.8-liter inline six-cylinder heavy-duty engine, will be offered in ratings of 455 to 560 horsepower with torque of 1,550 to 1,850 pounds-feet. It and other DD models will replace Detroit's Series 60 and the Mercedes-Benz 4000 by the end of 2009.
DD15's features include two overhead camshafts; turbocompounding, where a second turbocharger is geared to the crankshaft; and an Amplified Common Rail System that delivers fuel at very high pressures via electronic fuel injectors. All are managed by an enhanced Detroit Diesel Electronic Control system.

Air Disc Brakes
Air disc brakes stop better than drum brakes, do not fade, provide a positive pedal feel and are are easy to maintain, Sterling said. Their pads last longer than many drum-type linings, are valuable in tough applications that include long downhill descents in mountainous terrain. Sterling now offers Knorr-Bendix air discs and later may offer Arvin Meritor air discs.

Roll Stability Control
Meritor Wabco's Roll Stability Control works with a tractor's engine controls and anti-lock braking system to cut vehicle speed in tight turns, and thus reduces jackknives and rollovers. Sensors continuously measure lateral acceleration and when they detect high forces, the system orders a cut in engine power and application of the engine brake. It meanwhile applies drive-axle and trailer brakes, often before a driver is aware of a problem.

Collision Warning
The Eaton Vorad VS-400 Collision Warning System warns a driver when traffic ahead is slowing or has stopped, and helps him keep an appropriate following distance. An upgraded driver-interface unit uses an LCD screen with text and graphics. It can simultaneously show multiple warnings, has dedicated collision-warning LEDs. It will be available for ordering in the fourth quarter of this year.

More information on the DD15 and the new safety options is available at the builder's website, www.SterlingTrucks.com, or at Sterling dealers.