2008 Prevost chassis vs 2009 chassis

[utahcamera]

We are looking forward to heading to DFW next week to look and drive the ’08 chassis, XLII 2 slide, without the DPF and with the ’09 conversion.

With all of the "what will the next engine be" stuff in the air”: is Detroit in good financial condition given the state of the economy? And how hard is it to find a service center? Thanks to you all for your comments!

[garyde]

Hi Tim. If you go onto their website, you will find State by State their service centers. www.detroitdiesel.com

They are everywhere.

[Petervs]

Just a refresher. Daimler Benz purchased Detroit Diesel a few years ago. Volvo bought Prevost a few years ago. Daimler Benz and Volvo are competitors worldwide, and it makes no sense to buy from your competitor when you already make a competing product.

Prevost probably does not have a huge engineering department so it takes a while to re-engineer things when this type of product change occurs. They can only change so many things at once.

Daimler-Benz markets their truck engines as MTU brand all over the world except North America where they still call them Detroit Diesel because of the reputation. The new Detroit Diesel engines are not Series 60 but a Mercedes product that is similar generally. In the marine marketplace in the USA, they still sell Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines labeled MTU.

I think the future of Detroit service is probably quite secure, although over time they might be called MTU, and all the newer products will be Mercedes built engines. Daimler benz is probably one of the srongest automotive companies in the world. I personally believe they bought Detroit Diesel more for the access to the US market through the service outlets than for the actual product. In fact, they probably felt it was a good way to eliminate a strong competitor.

The Series 60 as we know it is practically an orphan already, but is likely to be supported for a very long time. As are the 2 stroke diesels, which still have very widespread use in the marine applications (yachts). As an aside, they often get more than 1000 hp from the 8V92 engines, 2 big turbos and there is no overheating problem because there is all the cooling water you could desire available right under the boat, but you better not let the cooling water pump fail! Often boats will have two of these engines, and since the boat probably weighs 90,000 pounds and water makes a lot of drag, the engines will drive it at 25-30 mph flat out. Burning like 120 gallons per hour combined, no kidding! They usually operate the boat at about 18 mph where the fuel burn is better, like 75 gallons per hour. I only throw out these numbers for perspective, they are representative, each boat will be a little different.

My own personal preference is a Series 60 engine prior to the particulate filter technology being needed. The simplest, best fuel economy, and probably most reliable engine ever put in a Prevost coach.

[jack14r]

I have been told that the DPF engines get much improved fuel mileage compared to the previous few years with the EGR engines.With the DPF the Detroit Engineers could be much less aggressive with the electronic pollution controls and as a result fuel consumption improved.If Bill Jensen is at the west coast mini rally this weekend maybe someone could ask him this question,along with if they have decided on a engine for 2011.

[utahcamera]

Thank you for the factual history lesson on Detroit. I did not know that MTU and Detroit had common parents. I have chartered and captained many a yacht (45'-65') and can testify to the fuel burn spoken of. If you look at the 75’ plus yachts you will see MTU engines in many of them. MTU is considered to be the engine of choice. From there you move to turbines.

As an old drag racer I fail to see how something as restrictive (see the photos on this thread provided by garyde) as the DPF can improve anything except air quality. That said my ’08 BMW with 350hp gets 22 mpg at 84 mph. So I would be quite willing to be proven wrong.

[utahcamera]

All bow to jack14r... We just got back from DFW at 2am this moring and the '08 VIN # which I was told had the lower exaust position does in deed have the exhaust out the roof as jack14r stated. Drove great and were trying to cut a deal now. Thank you all for your partisapation!

[parksincpp]

The 09 Chassis with the multiplex system and new exhaust are an exciting addition to the chassis. At first the multiplex was a little overwelming but the message center on the dash is a great tool for diagnostics. With this, trouble shooting is a snap. For those that don't know multiplex system is used by Volvo around the world to control the wiring with less wire.The exhaust thru the roof is great.The emissions are less and are passed up instead of to the next campsite or back to the radiator or worse your TOAD. As far as space lost with the exhaust thru the roof it allows for a larger radiator to control the extra heat generated by the engine to burn off more emission.

Scott

[jack14r]

I understand that the series 60 with the DPF gets much better fuel mileage than the previous years with the EGR,can anyone verify this?

[hillndale]

Does anyone know if there are any suspension or handling differences in a '07 XL2 vs an '08 or an '09?

We're considering an '07 which seemed to ride great and handle great but i've never driven anything newer than that and just not sure if it gets any better than this one.

[utahcamera]

I understand that the series 60 with the DPF gets much better fuel mileage than the previous years with the EGR,can anyone verify this?

Hard to say what "better" is but I'm getting 5.9 at 70 - 75 (near sea level) on an '09 XLV2S that only has 10,000 miles on it.

My previous 45' Country Coach with the CAT 525 HP C13 always got 5.6 no matter how I drove it.

Hope that helps.