Detroit Diesel 50

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Series 50 engine

The Detroit Diesel Series 50 is a straight-4 diesel engine, that was introduced in 1993 by Detroit Diesel. The Series 50 was built off of the existing block of its sister engine the Series 60 which itself was initially designed by John Deere; which is a higher class engine being used in highway vehicle applications.

Currently the Series 50 engine is used as a major bus engine in the United States. The power plant is offered for several applications: trucks, buses, motor homes, construction & industrial equipment, and military vehicles. A unique thing about this engine is that it is a straight-4 engine which is being used in heavy duty buses, which traditionally had used a straight-6, V-6 or V-8 diesel engine.

In 2000, in order to better respond to the tougher EPA emisisons stardards, Detroit Diesel announced revisions of the Series 50 for diesel appications. The changes included the addition of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, and a variable geometry turbocharger system to improve torque.

The Detroit Diesel Series 50 runs on diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG). A few thousand units engines are now in the buses on the streets of major cities such as New York City and Philadelphia. In September 2004 Detroit Diesel ceased production of the Series 50 heavy duty diesel engine for on highway applications. It is still available for off-road applications.