Scania will be breaking out its new 13-liter marine engine in North America at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans in early December. “It’s been available in Scania trucks and an off-road version in Europe,” says Scania Sales Manager Ernie Ortega. “We’re doing the launch in phases. We’ll have the first ones stateside in late 2026.”
“One of the biggest selling points is the increase in fuel efficiency,” says Ortega. “Up to 7 percent.”
Scania marketing material lists many new features zeroed in on fuel efficiency. “Everything from better geometry in the combustion chamber to an updated engine management system. This is the most advanced marine engine Scania have ever built” says Ortega. “It’s been designed from the ground up to deliver greater power and reliability while consuming less fuel and producing less CO2.”
The new design features reduced internal friction, optimized fuel injectors, improved cooling, and numerous other upgrades, Ortega says.
According to Ortega, the new engine platform will be available in power ratings from 350-hp up to 1,050-hp. “Above 800-hp Tier III, we’re looking at yachts,” he says.
In addition to the increase in fuel efficiency, the new design reduces in CO2 by 7 percent compared to the current platform, Ortega notes. “It’s also alternative fuel ready,” he says, pointing out that it is compatible with 100% HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) and up to 20% biodiesel. “One hundred percent HVO use would mean up to a 90% reduction in CO2 as compared to the current platform.”
But improvements to the Next Generation 13L go beyond fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction. Almost every part of the engine has been changed to facilitate and reduce maintenance. “That includes a newly designed engine block, mono-block cylinder head, and an improved rotating assembly, including crankshaft, pistons, and dual overhead cams,” says Ortega. “Those all make contributions to an engine that is built to be reliable.”
The Next Generation 13L features one-side maintenance, giving owners access to fuel filters, cartridge oil filters, engine oil fill point, seawater pump impeller, and more, including a unified electric customer interface for engine diagnostics, all on the same side of the engine.
“It also has new engine software that will improve performance and make it ready for diesel electric hybridization using Scania’s E-machine,” says Ortega.
The list of changes aimed at increasing performance also includes upgrades to the air intake and exhaust systems, lubrication system, and more. In addition, Scania has improved the rear power take-off configuration, adding almost 300 ft. lbs. of torque to one of the three PTO options.
Ortega notes that the Scania Next Generation 13L offers the best power-to-weight ratio in its class. “The road version has won the Green Truck Award for several years running and Powertrain International’s Diesel of the Year award for 2023,” he says, noting that he and the Scania team in North America are eager for the coming launch.
