On December 8, 2025, Cummins officially launched its 16N high-horsepower natural gas flagship power in Chengdu. As another major new product of Cummins multi-fuel engine platform, the Cummins 16N natural gas engine integrates six core capabilities: power, efficiency, reliability, intelligence, safety and protection, helping the logistics industry further achieve cost reduction and efficiency improvement.
Wang Kaijun, Vice President of Cummins and General Manager of Cummins China Engine Division, Stephen Saxby, Vice President of Cummins and Chief Technology Officer of Cummins China, Chai Yongquan, Vice President of Cummins and General Manager of Cummins China Components Division, Wu Huaizhu, Deputy General Manager of Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle Co., LTD. Chen Junhong, Director of the Power System Development Center of BAIC Foton Engineering Research Institute, Cao Yongjun, Executive Vice President of Dongfeng Cummins Engine Co., LTD., Li Ziqiang, Vice President of Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co., LTD., Ma Ji, General Manager of Marketing and Sales of Cummins China Engine Division And over 70 leading logistics fleet customers and industry media witnessed this significant moment together.
The actual test reveals the truth
Discussing the new green power together
As the old saying goes, "The difficulty of the Shu Road is greater than ascending to the blue sky!" One sentence reveals the perilousness of the mountains and rivers and the complexity of the road conditions in Sichuan. As a national logistics hub carrier city, Chengdu has built an international logistics corridor, which is of great significance to domestic and cross-border logistics.
Before the official release of the Cummins 16N natural gas engine, Cummins, in collaboration with two major automakers, Dongfeng and Foton, end users and media representatives, carried out a road test trip with real vehicles and goods on the southwest route (Kunming to Chengdu) and the northwest route (Lanzhou to Chengdu), with Chengdu as the destination.
Focusing on the genuine voices of users, we freely discuss efficient and green power. At the event site, Wang Kaijun, Vice President of Cummins and General Manager of Cummins China Engine Division, joined hands with guests from Dongfeng Motor and Foton Motor, test users from the northwest and southwest regions, and representative of large fleet customers, An Neng, to deeply analyze the performance of the 16N natural gas engine.
The southwest line passes through the mountainous areas of Yunnan and Guizhou, with many slopes and bends, focusing on the scene of green channel transportation for flowers. The Northwest route is marked with milk, passing through the Loess Plateau and crossing the Western Qinling Mountains, directly facing the challenges of low temperatures and continuous long slopes. The 16N natural gas engine demonstrates powerful power output, composed reliable performance and surprising throttle capability under complex working conditions.
In addition, the on-site guests also had in-depth discussions on the matching of vehicle power chains, driving and riding comfort, and intelligent technologies, jointly looking forward to a new future of green and efficient logistics power.
The benchmark has no weak points in terms of strength
The outstanding performance in road tests is attributed to the remarkable comprehensive performance advantages of the 16N natural gas engine. At the launch event, Stephen Saxby, Vice President of Cummins and Chief Technology Officer of Cummins China, and Suo Guotao, Chief Engineer of Cummins China's Engine Division, jointly interpreted the original intention and technical highlights of the 16N product development.
Adhering to the concept of "In China, for the World", Cummins has integrated global technical resources with Chinese market practices. After four years of research and development, over 40,000 hours of bench tests and 5 million kilometers of road verification, it has created this product that integrates six core advantages: powerful, efficient, reliable, intelligent, safe and protective. Inject new impetus into green and efficient logistics.
01 Strong force
With a planned maximum power of 720 horsepower and a maximum torque of 3,600 Nm, it is equipped with a dedicated turbocharging system for natural gas engines, enhancing acceleration and climbing efficiency by 20%. It features high high-speed cruising efficiency and efficient operation, all under control.
02 High efficiency
The thermal efficiency of the 16N natural gas engine has reached a new high, with the maximum thermal efficiency increasing by 2%. The 16N adopts a brand-new strong swirl combustion system, with a high compression ratio and deep Miller cycle, as well as a continuously variable multi-dimensional control variable valve timing system, which enhances thermal efficiency. Under cycle conditions, the engine can save 4% of energy. With the addition of the Smart Brain 3.0(CBM3.0) and intelligent accessories, the gas consumption is further optimized by 2%, achieving a comprehensive vehicle gas saving of 6% and significantly reducing operating costs.
03 Reliable
Adopting a 250bar basic machine architecture and a high-strength body, the design of key components has been optimized. It has undergone rigorous "three highs" road tests and has passed over 40,000 hours of bench tests and 5 million kilometers of road verification, ensuring the reliable performance of the product. In addition, the 16N engine offers users two valve clearance adjustment cycle configurations of 300,000 and 100,000 kilometers, as well as an oil change cycle plan of 150,000 and 100,000 kilometers, which can significantly reduce maintenance frequency and lower maintenance costs.
04 Intelligence and
Cummins remote calibration and upgrade technology makes the renewal of engine software as convenient as upgrading a smartphone. Relying on the digital twin capabilities of the Miaosuan platform, remote customized calibration is carried out to ensure that the engine performance is always accurately online.
Meanwhile, the 16N natural gas engine adopts the brand-new Smart Brain 3.0, enabling in-depth interaction among the engine, transmission, and after-treatment system. It can detect and dynamically adjust the combustion status in real time, achieve high-precision torque output, and intelligently select gears to match the engine's optimal economic zone. With the addition of advanced combustion and intelligent intake and exhaust control technologies, combined with intelligent accessories, the engine's economy, power performance and reliability have been comprehensively enhanced, and the NVH performance of the entire vehicle has been significantly improved.
05 Safety
High-power braking technology offers up to 400kW of braking power, with a 33% increase in braking power. Meanwhile, the application of the dynamic downhill braking control system enables the phased intelligent adjustment of the coordinated operation of engine braking, gear shifting and service braking, making driving easier and safer.
06 Guard and protect
Cummins Intelligent Diagnostics has been comprehensively upgraded, integrating multiple generations of gas engine technologies and advanced algorithms to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of fault diagnosis. It can precisely identify over 85% of faults within three steps. In conjunction with digital tools such as e-Road Cummins and Guidanz®, relying on Cummins' big data intelligent service system, passive services are transformed into proactive prevention, and maintenance is replaced by repair. This not only ensures the efficiency of customer attendance but also effectively reduces costs.
The first batch of deliveries marks a new beginning
Efficiency prevails between mountains and seas
The event site also witnessed the delivery of the first batch of 16N natural gas engine seed engines to users. Cao Yongjun, the executive vice president of Dongfeng Cummins Engine Co., LTD., and Li Ziqiang, the vice president of Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co., LTD., delivered the products to six pioneer users, jointly embarking on an efficient and green logistics journey to the mountains and seas. With outstanding product performance and intelligent proactive services, we comprehensively assist our customers in achieving success.