MTU Friedrichshafen - Engines and System Engineering

For commercial applications such as ferries and workboats, yachts, rail and heavy vehicles, the top-selling products include Series 2000 (300 to 1,500 kW) and 4000 (700 to 3,500 kW) engines.

These powerful, economical, clean and rugged units were jointly developed by MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH and Detroit Diesel Inc. One of the major technological features behind the huge success of these Series is the electronically controlled Common Rail injection system which was introduced on the Series 4000 making it the first diesel engine in its class to be to be fitted with Common Rail injection as standard.

The injection system was developed jointly with L’Orange GmbH, one of the leading manufacturers of injection systems for large diesel engines. The Series 2000 Common Rail for high-speed yachts, ferries and patrol boats is likewise the most modern in its class.

For the performance range below that covered by Series 2000, the company is currently developing its new Series 1600. 

This unit is primarily designed for stationary power generation, agriculture, rail and construction and industry sector applications. At the very top of the power range is the Series 8000 which has also set new standards in its class. Delivering 9,000 kW, the 20V 8000 is the most modern and technically innovative engine in its performance class.

In the defense sector, MTU’s Series 880 engines have secured its undisputed leadership position for many years. The new Series 890 units (400 bis 1,100 kW), which were first introduced in 2003, were developed specifically for lightweight, armored vehicles capable of being transported by air and these engines have further underpinned the company’s predominance. For the same performance, these units are just half the size of other, comparable diesel engines.


Customer-oriented: Systems expertise for complete, custom-tailored solutions

Apart from diesel engines, the company’s product range includes complete systems and plants which can be tailored to the customer’s individual requirements. As a prime contractor, for example, MTU can supply complete marine propulsion systems including all the peripherals, traction units for railcars and locomotives or entire power plants for decentralized energy generation. Gensets powered by gas engines are now playing an increasingly significant role and MTU serves this sector with MDE  Dezentrale Energiesysteme GmbH, a leading specialist in the field of decentralized cogeneration (heat and power) plants.


Always one step ahead: Key technologies for powerful, economical and clean drives

The leading technological position enjoyed by our diesel drives is due in no small part to three key technologies: turbocharging, fuel injection and electronics. These are developed and produced in-house to ensure that all drive components are optimally balanced. Consistent development in the fields of turbocharging and fuel injection has enabled the company to continually optimize performance, emissions and consumption. In addition, the company’s electronics systems make it possible to control and monitor whole drive configurations right through to entire marine propulsion plants.


Global growth in all application sectors

Against the backdrop of lively global growth in off-highway markets, Tognum Group was able to increase its turnover in 2005 by more than 18 percent to over €2 thousand million and at €1.53 thousand million, the MTU Group’s share of that total was not inconsiderable. Thanks to its global marketing and service network, the company was able to achieve growth in every application sector around the world. Its strategy of maintaining a widely-based approach whilst also concentrating on profitable areas of business activity once again proved successful. The strongest growth was seen in the engine sector, primarily in the decentralized energy systems segment.