Caterpillar's New Supercharged Diesel

Caterpillar Broadens Pleasure Craft Product Line with New Supercharged High Performance Diesel Engine; Cat C8.7 Features Impressive Fuel Economy, Rapid Transient Response.

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems is pleased to announce that it is broadening its array of pleasure craft marine engine offerings with the introduction of the new Cat C8.7 turbo-supercharged diesel engine.  Created in tandem with Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT Industrial, S.p.A.), the new powerplant is expected to be available for delivery in 2014.  FPT Industrial’s advancements in second-generation common rail fuel injection systems paired with an innovative air management system allows the compact C8.7 to develop an impressive 650 mhp @ 2300 rpm while meeting EPA Tier 3, IMO II, and CCNR Stage II emissions requirements. 

The C8.7’s sophisticated fuel delivery system allows the use of a radial, belt-driven supercharger in addition to the conventional turbocharger; this feature eliminates smoke and reduces lugging, while delivering phenomenal low-end torque and impressive fuel economy.  Once the supercharger is no longer needed as the turbo takes over the boost function, an electromagnetic clutch disengages the supercharger to avoid becoming a parasitic load and allows the turbo to provide the maximum permissible boost pressure. This renders the new engine impervious to turbocharger lag and allows rapid transient response throughout the engine’s operating range.

Caterpillar’s recently announced pod propulsion systems are perfectly matched for use with the new C8.7, which can also be used with existing Cat marine controls and the Cat proprietary Three60 Precision Control maneuvering system.   While these propulsion options offer reliable and straightforward operation of the vessel, maintenance is also simple thanks to left and right hand service options including an available electric fuel priming pump to minimize both downtime and effort. 

David Shannon, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems marine pleasure craft global sales manager, added,

We are extremely excited to bring the first of several new engine products to the market.  The C8.7 pleasure craft engine will replace the 575 mhp C9 with a common rail fuel system and a new air management system, allowing us to produce 650 mhp from a smaller and lighter package.  In addition to the horsepower gain, this engine will have one of the strongest torque curves in our industry.  The customer will experience impressive power gains and vessel performance with this new product, especially in the pod market.

With all of the C8.7’s innovations, Mr. Shannon’s message—torque, horsepower, and size—is something surely to be enjoyed by many yacht operators and passengers alike.