End-to-end industrial-chain collaboration: pursuing both traditional and new-energy solutions! Weichai Power’s high-efficiency powertrains lead the industry in technology, delivering value to customers.

2022 was a year fraught with challenges. Despite the overall downturn in the commercial vehicle market and sluggish performance in niche segments such as heavy-duty trucks and construction machinery, Weichai successfully weathered the severe test.

As a global leader in commercial vehicle powertrain solutions, in 2023 Weichai proactively positioned itself to capitalize on opportunities amid a complex and evolving industry landscape, coordinated resources across the value chain, deepened its focus on niche markets, and continuously optimized both its product and market portfolios.

The world’s first diesel engine with a brake thermal efficiency of 52.28%

In the high-horsepower heavy-truck market, Weichai has boosted the thermal efficiency of its diesel engines to 51.09%, maintaining its global leadership in the internal-combustion-engine industry.

Building on the original five core technologies—coordinated combustion, integrated design, exhaust energy distribution, zoned lubrication, and intelligent control—the engine incorporates a brand-new systems-engineering approach to develop four groundbreaking new technologies: 3D precision turbocharging design, which boosts turbocharger efficiency by 5%; air insulation technology, which reduces in-cylinder heat transfer by 15%; high-efficiency flow technology, which effectively lowers intake and exhaust manifold resistance for smoother engine breathing; and dual-primary-injection technology, which enhances fuel–air mixing and increases combustion speed by 5%. Through a series of targeted technological breakthroughs, each advancing by a painstaking 0.01 percentage point, the engine has pioneered a new milestone by raising the diesel engine’s thermal efficiency to 52.28%, once again setting a global record. During this process, 162 patent applications were filed, resulting in 124 patents granted.

Weichai T-Series Engines Continue to Lead the High-Horsepower Market

In recent years, the completion of high-grade expressways has significantly enhanced the efficiency of China’s express delivery and trunk-line logistics.

In the trunk-line logistics market, Weichai Power’s T-series high-horsepower premium products deliver up to 680 horsepower. Boasting strong power, high efficiency and fuel economy, exceptional stability and reliability, and quiet, comfortable operation, these products achieve even better performance through coordinated control of the vehicle’s entire powertrain system.

Weichai WP14T

The Weichai WP14T is developed on a commercial platform that achieves a thermal efficiency of 52.28%, incorporating high-efficiency, low-heat-transfer combustion technology and low-friction design. Its fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is approximately 2 liters lower than the industry average, delivering genuine energy savings and cost reduction. With a displacement of 13.5 liters, the WP14T delivers a maximum power output of 610 hp and a peak torque of 2,750 N·m; it can unleash its maximum torque at just 900 rpm, offering even greater low-speed torque for superior power performance, reduced power loss at high altitudes, enhanced hill-climbing capability, faster transient response, and more responsive throttle delivery—making it the ideal powertrain for long-haul trunk-line tractors. The engine integrates proprietary technologies such as high-efficiency, low-heat-transfer combustion, coordinated air-system matching, and low-friction loss reduction, along with an advanced, self-developed control strategy and a low-speed, high-torque configuration paired with a low-ratio final drive, resulting in outstanding fuel-saving performance.

WP15T

The Weichai WP15T features a bore of 135 mm, a stroke of 170 mm, and a displacement of 14.6 liters. It delivers a rated power of 680 hp at 1,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 3,200 N·m between 900 and 1,400 rpm, meeting China VI B emission standards. Maximum torque is available as low as 900 rpm, providing high torque at low engine speeds to significantly enhance both vehicle performance and fuel efficiency. The all-new Weichai WP15T incorporates a high-boost-pressure engine design, with a B10 life rating of 1.8 million kilometers. The new-generation heavy-duty platform from Weichai, which includes the WP15T, adopts a family-style modular design that optimizes the architecture and employs more advanced manufacturing processes, enabling an extended oil-change interval of up to 120,000 kilometers and ensuring drivers enjoy the convenience and peace of mind that come with reduced maintenance requirements.

Natural gas engine with a thermal efficiency of 54.16%

As a leading manufacturer of natural-gas engines, Weichai holds a 70% share of the global high-power natural-gas engine market and consistently ranks first in the world in both production and sales.

In 2022, Weichai’s R&D team successfully applied key common technologies for high thermal efficiency in diesel engines—such as high-efficiency turbocharging, low flow resistance, and reduced friction—to natural-gas engines. The team pioneered a dual-fuel integrated injection multi-point lean-burn technology, enabling precise control of fuel injection and increasing combustion speed by 100%. They also invented a dual-fuel integrated injection combustion system centered on a two-stage combustion chamber design, which enhances engine thermal efficiency while reducing pollutant emissions. To date, the team has filed a total of 165 patent applications, with 135 patents granted. Following the achievement of a 54.16% thermal efficiency for the natural-gas engine itself, fuel costs are reduced by more than 20% compared with conventional natural-gas engines, carbon emissions are lowered by 25%, and the entire industry can cut carbon emissions by 30 million tonnes annually.

The WP15NG delivers a specific torque of 171 N·m/L, with maximum torque boosted to 2,500 N·m, resulting in more responsive vehicle launch. To achieve precise air-fuel ratio control, the WP15NG features an optimized fuel-injection system and EGR control unit, reducing overall fuel consumption by approximately 2.5 kg per 100 kilometers. At the same time, its cleaner emissions lower subsequent maintenance costs, making its operational economics unmatched. Following rigorous validation through three high-environmental-condition tests, the WP15NG demonstrates exceptional environmental adaptability, with braking power reaching 60% of its rated output, enabling confident handling on complex road conditions.

The WP13NG performance-optimized engine incorporates advanced proprietary technologies, including an advanced combustion system, an EGR module, and anti-surge protection. It delivers significant advantages in power, fuel efficiency, and reliability, with a power output range of 294–338 kW. Compliant with China VI emission standards, it is ideally suited for medium- and short-haul coal-hauling tractors, urban construction muck dump trucks, and heavy-duty highway dump trucks.

Weichai Light-Duty Engines Continue to Lead the Blue-Plate Market

Weichai’s WP2.5N is custom-developed for blue-plate vehicles, delivering a maximum power of 160 hp and a peak torque of 450 N·m—a 8% increase in power. Compared with competing products, it boasts a 12% improvement in fuel economy, saving 1.5 liters per 100 kilometers; based on annual operation of 100,000 kilometers, this translates into annual fuel cost savings of RMB 12,000. The Fast transmission features an integrated shift-control mechanism that leverages micro-geometric gear modification and precision grinding technologies, achieving a transmission efficiency 5% higher than industry benchmarks. Equipped with all-synchro gears, it ensures smooth shifting, a refined driving experience, and effortless operation. The high-load HanDe axle assembly delivers an overall drive efficiency of up to 96%, with system efficiency improved by more than 8%; the axle has a service life of up to 1.2 million kilometers, easily handling demanding operating conditions in regions such as Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.

WP2H is a powertrain platform developed by Weichai Power specifically for pickup and SUV models, delivering quick acceleration response and fully meeting users’ demands for off-road capability.

“Hydrogen” Takes Center Stage: Multi-Route New Energy Products Make Their Debut

While driving breakthroughs in conventional powertrain technologies and advancing low-carbon upgrades, Weichai has positioned the development of new energy as one of its key strategic priorities.

Weichai began proactively planning its strategy 10 years ago, simultaneously advancing on three major new-energy technology pathways: fuel cells, hybrid power, and pure electric.

Currently, Weichai Power’s product portfolio encompasses a range of new-energy powertrain solutions, including hydrogen fuel-cell engines, hydrogen-fueled engines, hybrid powertrains, and all-electric integrated axle drive systems.

Weichai hydrogen fuel

In the pure-electric light-truck market, Weichai’s independently developed Ultra-Energy battery boasts high energy density, enhanced safety, intelligent management, and fast-charging capabilities, all supported by an advanced, intelligent battery-management system. This combination delivers industry-leading curb weight and range. Meanwhile, Weichai’s all-in-one power controller features higher power density, greater integration, superior efficiency, increased reliability, and improved cost-effectiveness; its robust EMC design ensures compliance with the highest European electromagnetic compatibility standards.

(The above industry news is reproduced from Fangde.com.)