Caterpillar C18 targets 50-60 foot planing hull pleasure craft market
Caterpillar has unveiled a new 1015 mhp (746 bkW) marine propulsion engine in synchronised launch events held on Friday 13th September 2002 at the Southampton International Boat show and the Festival International de la Plaisance in Cannes.
New engine
The new engine, which has been designed to meet the propulsion requirements of the 50-60 foot planing hull pleasure craft sector in twin-engine installations, is an in-line, 6 cylinder, 18 litre engine which offers class-leading power density, outstanding performance, acceleration, fuel economy and low emissions. 25% more power from almost the same footprint/weight
To put this into context, the C18 has a footprint approximately 5% bigger and is only 1% heavier , than the in-line 6 cylinder, 811 mhp (597 bkW) Cat 3406E engine, yet
delivers over 25% more power.
Power density is a stunning
2.12 kg/kW (3.53.lb/bhp)
The overall package features higher power availability in the 1200 to 2000 rpm range and at cruising speed than is available from competitive 1000 horsepower engines.
Also, the twin turbo-charger arrangement delivers considerably better acceleration curves than comparable marine engines currently available.
Bigger displacement also means much better torque from what is essentially the same sized engine.
In short, Caterpillar's entry into the 1000 horsepower class is by no means a 'catching up' engine, but one which overtakes the rest and sets new standards.
New core design
The C18 is a completely new core engine design, rather than an update to an existing model. It has a larger (145mm) bore and (183mm) stroke than the 3406E but, at 1510 kg, weighs only 2kg more.
The C18 features a new crankshaft design, new cylinder liners and seals, a one-piece steel piston and longer connecting rod, a new faster cam shaft system, copper-lead main and rod bearings, high flow (E-Trim) injectors and the most precise, capable and revolutionary electronic control system (ADEM IIIâ„¢) that Caterpillar has ever produced.
It also features a modular heat exchanger for ease of servicing, bar and plate--type seawater aftercoolers, a fumes recirculation system for maximum fuel combustion efficiency and minimal emissions, and is fully compliant with all current emission regulations.
The C18 features the very latest ADEM III control system and a new 70 pin connector which together facilitate Caterpillar's new Multi Station Control System -- an engine monitoring and control system that is now more accurate, covers more engine parameters, is easier to use and can communicate with more multiple outlets, than ever before.
Commenting on the availability of the new 1015 mhp marine propulsion engine in Europe (from October 2002), Jaime Tetrault, Caterpillar Marine Sales Manager for Europe, Africa and the Middle East said:
"The 3406E engine has been very successful in the 800 horsepower range.
It has proved to be one of the most robust and reliable engines in its class and we have achieved significant sales worldwide since it was launched in 1996. The C18 offers more than 25% more power and is truly a new generation Caterpillar engine.
Heavy duty
"It retains the heavy duty, in-line 6 cylinder format that we have developed so successfully for the marine marketplace over many years, but the C18 also features new technology, new designs and materials - new thinking really - to deliver the sort of performance, coupled with control and reliability our customers need.
"The C18 puts us firmly at the forefront of this market sector and we have high hopes for strong sales levels in EAME territory. Boat builders including Sunseeker, Fairline, Princess, Azimut and Ferretti are all looking at forthcoming newbuilds that could well feature the Cat C18, and the RNLI has also already taken two engines for use -- as standard equipment -- in the prototype of its new FSB2 Class lifeboat."
The Caterpillar C18, launched simultaneously at Cannes and Southampton, is available to order from September 16th, in production from October and first deliveries will be in November 2002.
