Cummins’ new heavy-duty natural gas powertrain

Cummins Inc. and Cummins Westport Inc. announced that similar to the ISX12 diesel powertrain shown here, an ISX12N+Endurant HD natural gas powertrain is now available for heavy-duty applications.

Cummins Inc. and Cummins Westport Inc. announced that the ISX12N+Endurant HD N powertrain from its Integrated Power portfolio is now available for heavy-duty customers.

The combination of the ISX12N near-zero natural gas engine and the Endurant HD N 12-speed automated transmission from Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies is well suited for heavy-duty regional haul fleets looking to lower emissions and improve their sustainability profile, Cummins said.

“The ultra-low emissions of the ISX12N combined with the Endurant HD N transmission provides the optimal powertrain solution for customers working to lower their carbon footprint,” said Thomas R. Hodek, president of Cummins Westport. “The deep powertrain integration delivers improved launch, low speed maneuverability, and smoother shifts that drivers will appreciate.”

The ISX12N is an inline six-cylinder engine with a bore and stroke of 130 x 150 mm and an overall displacement of 11.9 L. Turbocharged and charge-air cooled, the engine, when paired with the Endurant HD N automated transmission, is available with a rating of 400 hp and 1450 lb.ft. torque. The spark-ignited engine is designed to operate on 100% compressed natural gas (CNG), liquid natural gas (LNG) or renewable natural gas (RNG). The combination reduces NOx emissions by 90% compared to the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, Cummins said, and when operated using RNG, the system is credited with a neutral to negative carbon index, resulting in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at or below zero.

The ISX12N is an inline six-cylinder engine with a bore and stroke of 130 x 150 mm and an overall displacement of 11.9 L. Turbocharged and charge-air cooled, the engine is available in ratings to 400 hp.

The new Endurant HD N automated transmission was optimized for integration with the ISX12N natural gas engine and incorporates new software functionality and calibrations, along with a new diaphragm spring clutch designed to meet the load requirements of the natural gas engine while protecting the engine for optimal performance.

The integration between the engine and transmission results in improved launch performance, improved low-speed maneuverability and smoother shifts when compared to previous natural gas engines and automated manual transmission combinations, Cummins said.