More power for MTU?s Series 4000 engines

The latest versions of MTU?s Series 4000 12- and 16-cylinder engines are now 6% to 10% more powerful than their predecessors. Equipped with common rail fuel injection, optimised turbocharging and an integrated electronic engine management system, they are said to be amongst the most advanced and powerful engines available in their class for the powering of commercial vessels and ferries over 50m in length.

Areas that have been improved on the engines include the cylinder heads and intercoolers. For instance, the material now used for the intercoolers is non-ferrous metal rather than aluminium, giving greater reliability under even severe operating conditions. Turbocharging is now handled by two high-efficiency MTU exhaust units with charge air cooled by an intercooler positioned above the power take-off. The sequential turbocharging gives a higher charge air pressure and optimises operating values across the full performance range.

In terms of output, the 16-cylinder M61R and M61 for commercial vessel are rated at 1,520 at 1,600 rpm and 2,000kW at 1,800 rpm respectively. For larger ferries over 50m in length, the M71 12 and 16 cylinder engines have been uprated to 1,850 and 2,465kW respectively at 2,000 rpm.

Prior to these upgrades the Series 4000 engines were already popular with ferry operators and in commercial shipping with around 400 engines sold while the company?s Series 8000, which includes its most powerful unit the 20V 8000, has received 42 orders.