"The committee was impressed by the DD15’s use of turbo compounding, which captures typically-wasted energy and converts it into productive power, improving fuel economy and performance," said James Menzies, committee chairman for TWNA. "With diesel prices reaching unprecedented heights in 2008, we felt it was a technological advancement worthy of the award."

The innovative turbo compounding technology saves fuel without sacrificing power. The system employs a second exhaust turbine downstream of the standard turbocharger. In addition to providing a more efficient source of exhaust back-pressure for the engine’s exhaust gas recirculation system, the secondary turbine’s output is hyrdodynamically coupled to the engine’s drive gears.

"To be recognized by an organization such as TWNA, which studies and significance and value of the newest industry innovations, is an incredible honor," said David Siler, director of marketing for Detroit Diesel. "Detroit Diesel always strives to develop and offer our customers the most advanced and economical technologies available today."

Created in 1988, TWNA is a professional organization whose membership is composed of writers, editors, public relations specialists, marketing professionals and others involved in the business of creating or producing information related to the world of trucking.

The first Technical Achievement Award was presented in 1991 to Grote Industries to a long list of outstanding innovations. Since receiving the inaugural award, Grote has sponsored the trophy. To be eligible, a product or service has to clearly exhibit technical innovation, have a wide applicability in the trucking industry, offer significant benefits and be widely available.

For more information, go to www.DetroitDiesel.com.

Detroit Diesel Corporation is a leading manufacturer of on-highway diesel engines for the commercial truck market. Headquartered in Redford, Mich., Detroit Diesel Corporation is engaged in the design, manufacture, sale and service of these products, in addition to supporting alternative and hybrid engine strategies for the commercial truck marketplace. Detroit Diesel Corporation is a Daimler company.