We get the message: the DDi 5 is sotto impress
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operators, fleet engineers, accountants and safety reps. But what about driver appeal? The driver shortage has put an end to gaffers' motors and if drivers hate an engine, wise operators will take heed.
CM's man in the US was able to take a brief drive in Freightliners powered by the 455hp and 560hp versions of the DD15 to get an impression of response, acceleration, cruising and noise.
The engine was certainly quiet, especially at idle. The noise changed of course when we hit the accelerator, but it seemed to bear out the contention that the rigid structure of the block and head and the state-of-theart injection make the DD15 a particularly refined engine. And as for turbo lag... there wasn't any.
Hill climbing was also excellent. Lugging down from 1,000rpm was the order of the day, which will save a lot of gearshifting overtime.