Cummins Makes An Engine That's Basically A Diesel But Runs On Gas
Cummins Makes An Engine That's Basically A Diesel But Runs On Gas
Andy KalmowitzSun, May 31, 2026 at 1:25 AM UTC
0
Cummins B6.7 Octane gas motor - Cummins
When you think of Cummins engines, you probably think of big, powerful diesel motors. The engine manufacturer is shifting away from the diesel image, though, at least a little bit. The 107-year-old engine manufacturer has a new-ish truck up its sleeve. It's called the B6.7 Octane, and it's not like anything I've encountered before. What we've got here is a turbocharged 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six, but instead of the diesel everyone assumes it runs on, it actually runs on regular ol' 87-octane gasoline. Shocking, I know.
This gasser is intended for use in medium-duty trucks, meaning it's going to show up in school buses, delivery vans, and other utility vehicles. One of its first applications is actually going to be the 29-foot Peterbilt U-Haul EM cargo box truck we recently told you about. While drivers might not be putting diesel in the tank, the B6.7 Octane will certainly still feel like a diesel powertrain, thanks to its medium-duty prowess.
Power comes in four levels, ranging from 200 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, up to 300 hp and 660 lb-ft, according to Cummins. Those are some incredibly diesel-esque power figures. Equally diesel-ish is the torque curve. The double-overhead cam gas motor makes its 660 pound-feet of torque at just 1,800 rpm, and revs all the way up to 3,200. That's only slightly higher than its 6.7-liter diesel-sibling's 1,400 rpm torque peak and 2,600 rpm redline.
Making it even more diesel-like is the fact that it's got a Jacobs Engine Brake. Yeah, man. It's a gas motor with a Jake Brake. This is some really wacky stuff.
Read more: These Are The Best Engines Our Readers Have Ever Driven
Advertisement
Fueled up
Cummins B6.7 Octane gas motor - Cummins
Cummins is very clearly in its experimental phase. The B6.7 Octane is part of the company's HELM (Higher Efficiency, Lower emissions, Multiple fuels) series of engines, which are meant to be "fuel agnostic." This 6.7-liter block is a clean sheet design, Car and Driver says, and it's expected to lead to future diesel and even hydrogen derivatives (because we just can't let hydrogen go, can we?) that share its architecture.
If you're wondering why someone would want an engine that looks and operates like a diesel but actually runs on gas, it's a fair question, but there are actually a few good reasons. One is lightness. Since the engine runs on gas, the diesel exhaust fluid tanks and other emissions equipment can be dropped while still enjoying maintenance intervals similar to those of diesel engines. The outlet says the Octane will be able to go nearly 15,000 miles between oil changes.
Another big reason to go with an engine like this is ease of use and familiarity. Take the U-Haul EM, for example. That company runs an all-gas fleet because most customers are used to filling up their gas cars at the pump. You don't want them to mess with diesel — especially if it's the sort of diesel powertrain that also requires DEF. That's just asking for trouble. As the old saying goes: keep it simple, stupid.
Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox, and add us as a preferred search source on Google.
Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Source: “AOL Money”
