Western Star Trucks Sales, Inc. announced yesterday the availability of the Cummins ISX15 EPA 2010 engine for the North American market.

The ISX15 is available with ratings of 400 to 600 hp delivering 1,450 to 2,050 lb.-ft. or torque, a power and performance package that Western Star noted can benefit a variety of its vocational and on-highway customers. Production is scheduled to begin in March for ratings less than 500 hp, and in July for ratings more than 500 hp, but customers may place orders for Western Star vehicles equipped with the ISX15 now.

Like its Detroit Diesel counterparts, the Cummins ISX15 uses selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet the new EPA 2010 emissions standards for NOx. The engine’s XPI common-rail fuel system is designed to deliver a precise quantity of fuel at ultra-high pressures. When combined with the reduced restriction of the air-handling system, the new version of the Cummins ISX15 can also provide up to a 5% improvement in fuel economy.

In August and September of last year, Daimler Trucks North America (along with other OEMs) announced their surcharges for 2010 engines. The announcements noted that a $9,000 surcharge will be added to vehicles with Cummins ISX15 engines and emissions technology. Vehicles equipped with Detroit Diesel BlueTec emissions technology and DD15 and DD16 big bore engines, as well as the mid-bore DD13, will be offered with the same $9,000 surcharge per vehicle. A surcharge of $7,300 will be added for the Cummins ISC 8.3 engine, and $6,700 will be added to the price of vehicles equipped with Cummins ISB 6.7 engines. The surcharges reflect costs associated with adding SCR.

“Western Star customers face some of the toughest demands on the road and off, and we’re pleased that we can offer a wide variety of engine solutions that match the durability and reliability of their Western Star trucks,” said Mike Jackson, gm for Western Star. “The Cummins ISX15 offers the same proven technology that our customers have come to expect.

“We know that many of our customers in construction and other applications prefer the Cummins engine,” Jackson added. “This engine is a perfect complement to our Detroit Diesel engine offering, giving our customers the best choice in powertrain options.”