8.0L PIthon engine to power Thomas Built propane bus

Powertrain Integration's 8.0L V8 propane autogas engine, dubbed the PIthon, is the engine platform for Thomas Built Buses' new propane-powered Saf-T-Liner C2.

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. — Powertrain Integration (PI) has named its 8.0L V8 propane autogas engine the PIthon.

The unit has been selected as the engine platform for Thomas Built Buses' new propane-powered Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus, which is expected to go into full production in late May or early June.

PI President Robert Pachla explained the meaning of the PIthon engine name: "Pythons are strong, powerful snakes that constrict their prey; PIthon squeezes every bit of power, every penny of savings out of operators' precious fuel and maintenance dollars."

The PIthon is the result of more than four years of development and testing to OEM standards. Company officials said that it is designed to fill a gap for big block engines in the medium-duty on-highway market.

According to PI, PIthon-equipped vehicle weights average about 500 pounds less than comparable diesel chassis.