Perkins to show upcoming engine, future project details at Bauma 2025

At a press call held in Central London, Perkins has revealed what it is planning to present at Bauma 2025, which will be held in Munich from 7-13 April.

As part of its promise to ‘deliver smarter solutions to advance sustainable power’, the UK-based engine manufacturer will highlight its upcoming 2606 model in Germany. The 12.9-litre six-cylinder engine will replace the existing 15- and 18-litre models due to its superior power output.

Perkins 2606 12.9-litre six-cylinder engine will be launched in 2026 (Photo: Perkins)

Based on the 2600 platform, the 2606 engine is set to be offered with power outputs ranging from 340 to 515 kW. This equates to about 40 kW per litre of displacement. While delivering more power, the engine is compliant with EU Stage 5, US EPA Tier 4 and all other global emissions standards.

The 2606 can be used across a series of application types, including construction machines and agricultural tractors. While producing the same power output as larger engines, the 2606 has a smaller overall footprint while also being 20% lighter. This means the engine requires less onboard space.

The engine is HVO/renewable diesel and biodiesel compatible; using the former means the engine is carbon-neutral in operation. Oil and filter service intervals are reported to be up to 1,000 hours, helping to reduce overall total cost of ownership.

Other key features include a hydraulic lash adjustment system and improve combustion process which is said to have reduced fuel consumption by 5%. A multi-shot injection system has helped to reduce engine noise by up to 3 db.

The 2600 platform is a ‘clean sheet’ design which has been in development since 2017. The engine was premiered in 2023 and the appearance at Bauma 2025 precursors the engine’s anticipated market launch in 2026.

Also at Bauma, Perkins is set to show its recently-launched 904J engine. Available in 2.8- and 3.6-litre variants this engine offers output levels ranging from 50 to 106 kW.

Assembled in Peterborough, UK and Wuxi, China, production volumes of the 904J passed 100,000 units in 2023. According to Perkins, the engine now has about 160,000 hours in operation across more than 80 machine applications.

In addition to showing these and other engine models, Perkins will be releasing more details about its ‘Project Croeus’ at the upcoming Bauma trade fair.

(From left) Paul Moore, Perkins, Ian Foley, Equipmake and Dr. Edward Long, Loughborough University (Photo: PPI)

First announced in 2023, Project Croeus is intended to deliver a power solution capable of supporting a variety of alternative fuels. Fuel types which the single engine will be able to use include ethanol, methanol, biomethanol and hydrogen.

The project involves a series of partner companies including Loughborough University, which carried analysis of the fluid dynamics, and Equipmake, which developed the hybrid system.

“The low load of an engine using a lean hydrogen/air fuel mix will be mitigated by the hybrid elements,” explained Paul Moore, head of Powertrain System Integration. He added that different injection models will be used to support both gaseous and liquid fuels within a single combustion chamber.

Moore added that the Perkins stand at Bauma will feature a multimedia display outlining the achievements to date and future plans for Project Croeus, which is set to run for another two years.

“We would have like to bring our prototype engine to Bauma, but it will likely be in testing when the trade fair opens,” said Moore.

Perkins will be located at Hall A4, Stand 336 at Bauma 2025.