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| A new engine means more room for the entry way. |
Company representatives say the FE Forward Advantage's physically smaller engine will provide similar performance as previous IC-made engines, while providing greater room in the doorwell, enhanced serviceability and improved comfort for drivers.
According to Keith Kladder, the marketing manager for IC’s school bus division, the company was looking at ways to improve its front-engine transit-style buses when an engineer suggested using a smaller engine. A smaller engine would eliminate the need for the engine cover that protrudes into the entryway. It would also mean an engine that was further away from the driver, decreasing noise, vibration and heat.
Previously IC had only used its International engines and didn’t manufacture one that was small enough to fit in the space provided. Caterpillar did.
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| The new barn door-style grill |
Changing to the 275hp Caterpillar C7 engine has made it easier to service the bus. The smaller engine also means the company can use a smaller cooling unit. This, in turn, led to the distinct barn door-style grill. Kladder said this continues IC’s focus on improving serviceability.
George Taylor, director and general manager of Caterpillar Global On-Highway, expressed excitement about working with International.
"The C7 engine is the perfect power source for the FE Forward Advantage bus," Taylor wrote in an email. "Caterpillar has a focused specialty team and extensive dealer network that is committed to the school bus business. FE Forward Advantage bus customers can be assured that their Caterpillar C7 engine will provide the reliability, durability and value they need to keep their buses up and running."
Kladder stressed that the decision was not a paradigm shift. IC isn’t about to start installing CATs on all of its buses and will offer the FE Forward Advantage with its MaxxForce DT engine. This model will retain the protruding engine cover, Kladder added.
The FE Forward Advantage will go into mass production in July 2008.
