New Detroit DD8 Engine Revealed
The 7.7-liter medium-duty diesel engine will be offered for the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school bus starting in 2018.

The 7.7-liter DD8 medium-duty diesel engine will be offered for the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school bus starting in 2018.

The 7.7-liter DD8 medium-duty diesel engine will be offered for the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school bus starting in 2018.
INDIANAPOLIS — Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) unveiled the new Detroit DD8 medium-duty diesel engine at the NTEA Work Truck Show here on Wednesday.
The 7.7-liter DD8, an in-line six-cylinder engine, provides a horsepower range of 260 to 350 and a torque range of 660 to 1,050 lb.-ft.
The DD8 is the second of two new medium-duty engines that will eventually be available for various types of vehicles within DTNA’s brands, including Thomas Built Buses. The first of the medium-duty engines, the DD5, was on display at Thomas Built’s booth at the National Association for Pupil Transportation trade show in November.
“The Detroit DD5 medium-duty engine, as well as the upcoming Detroit DD8 engine, will provide exceptional fuel efficiency, power, proven performance, and reliability as well as the lowest total cost of ownership,” Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, said in November.
The Detroit DD5 engine will be available for the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2, and the DD8 will be offered for the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX. The engines will be available for order in 2018. Start of production for both products with the Detroit engines is expected to take place later that year.
DTNA announced in November 2015 a $375 million investment to bring the manufacturing of both medium-duty engines to its manufacturing facility in Redford, Michigan. The facility also produces the Detroit heavy-duty line of engines, as well as transmissions and axles.
The DD8 and DD5 engines will be equipped with the Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostics service, which relays fault code details to the fleet by email or notification via the Detroit Connect portal.
More Maintenance

Refinish Coatings Launches School Bus Seat Repair Kit
A new all-in-one vinyl seat repair kit comes with color-matched compounds, tools, and supplies to fix tears, holes, and punctures that kids won't be able to pick.
Read More →
Easy Ways to Reduce School Bus Emissions: Q&A with John Gonzales
Learn how preventive maintenance, driver training, reduced idling, smarter routing, and the right fuel choices can help districts reduce emissions — without investing in new buses.
Read More →
BendPak Launches Ranger DST30PX Wheel Balancer
BendPak's new wheel balancer handles tires up to 43 inches in diameter, with a reinforced design, precise weight placement, and faster service cycles.
Read More →
Tips for Ensuring School Bus Garages Are Safe and Warm Year-Round
Cold maintenance bays and rising heating costs? Learn how school bus garages can improve comfort with targeted heating, better airflow, and winter preparation.
Read More →
ASE Highlights School Bus Technician Certification Requirements
ASE is encouraging school bus maintenance professionals to maintain their certifications, highlighting seven specialized tests and five-year renewal requirements.
Read More →
International Adds E-Commerce Capabilities to Fleetrite.com
IC Bus customers can now browse, buy, and track shipments for more than 400,000 aftermarket parts online.
Read More →
The Most Expensive Thing You Do Before Selling a School Bus: Wait
When should you sell an aging school bus? Learn how maintenance, mileage, corrosion, specifications, and timing can affect resale value long before the auction.
Read More →
The Evolution of DEF Header Technology: What School Bus Operations Should Know at Replacement Time
See what school bus fleets should consider when replacing DEF headers to improve reliability, reduce repeat repairs, and control maintenance costs.
Read More →
The Essential Guide to School Bus Maintenance and Student Safety
Your district's buses carry students to school every day. This guide shows how predictive maintenance powered by fleet data helps keep buses reliable, drivers accountable and students safer from the first bell to the last stop.
Read More →
Kerry Brothers Grows Michigan School Bus Repair Network
The acquisition of Downriver Truck and Bus expands Kerry Brothers’ school bus maintenance footprint across southeast Michigan, adding repair capacity, diagnostic resources, and state inspection support.
Read More →
