On May 28th, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle proudly presented its brand-new TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 NG model in Shijiazhuang, emphasizing a “dual enhancement in quality and value.” This latest addition to the Dongfeng heavy-duty truck lineup integrates the company’s trademark reliability, durability, and robust performance, while introducing practical innovations tailored to real-world market demands. Let’s delve into the details.
Exterior Details Upgraded, Carrying Forward the Classic Look
The TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 nature gas tractor is the latest member of the TianLong KL product family, embodying a blend of tradition and innovation. In terms of exterior design, the vehicle retains the TianLong KL family’s signature architecture while incorporating fresh design concepts. With a focus on low wind resistance, optimizations to details like seams and body lines have significantly reduced the vehicle’s wind resistance coefficient to 0.527, contributing to lower gas consumption, reduced wind noise, and improved NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness).
The TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 nature gas tractor features a three-piece front face design, with the coverings composed of PP outer plates and magnesium-aluminum alloy frameworks, balancing lightweight construction, high reliability, and cost-effective maintenance. The new front fascia boasts a larger perforated area, increased by 16%, optimizing engine cooling even in extreme heat.
Integrated DragonEngine Golden Powertrain for Fuel Efficiency
The significant upgrade in the TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 nature gas tractor lies in its powertrain. Equipped with the DragonEngine integrated golden powertrain, it is powered by the DragonEngine 3.0 DGi13 inline six-cylinder natural gas engine, capable of delivering 520 horsepower and 2,400 Nm of torque. Notably, the engine’s peak torque platform begins within the 800 rpm economic speed range, offering industry-leading “low rpm, high torque” capabilities, enhancing transient response performance, improving maneuverability, and reducing gas consumption.
Dubbed the “intelligent heart,” this engine boasts self-recognition, self-adjustment, and self-learning capabilities, quickly identifying information such as speed, load, and road conditions to precisely calculate and match the optimal operating parameters of various engine functions. This ensures maximum power output while minimizing gas consumption, saving up to 1 kg of gas per 100 km compared to competitors. Technological advancements like Miller cycle, intelligent control, intelligent E/P, knock adaptation, low friction technology, and thermal management contribute to the TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0’s leading-class fuel efficiency, delivering profit-making potential.
Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles is renowned for its reliability, and the TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 nature gas tractor is no exception. Tailored for the extreme heat and cold of northern regions, the DragonEngine 3.0 nature gas engine boasts four patented thermal load control technologies, achieving a 10% higher cooling efficiency than the industry average. It also boasts a shorter warm-up time of 5 minutes in -35°C conditions, ensuring quick starts and improved attendance and reliability.
Transmission options include the Dongfeng DragonEngine DT14 or Fast Transmission 12JS, allowing customers to choose based on their needs. These transmissions can be paired with hydraulic retarders for enhanced safety on long downhill sections. The DragonEngine DT14 transmission, featuring a high number of gears, small speed ratio differences, and smooth shifting, maximizes engine performance, improving efficiency and fuel economy. Its dual lubrication system of active lubrication and splash lubrication ensures high transmission efficiency, cooling and lubrication performance, and low failure rates, further enhancing attendance.
The 6×4 drive configuration, coupled with a tandem drive rear axle utilizing three-leaf steel spring suspension, strikes a balance between lightweight construction, reliability, and load-bearing capacity.
Optional rear axles include the DF400 or DF440, with speed ratios such as 2.87/3.64 also available. A 100,000-km long-life oil design reduces maintenance and operating costs, contributing to higher attendance rates and lower gas consumption. The integrated engine-transmission-axle setup forms a golden powertrain.
Robust Chassis with Lightweight Design
The TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 gas tractor has adopted over 30 new materials, processes, and structures, resulting in a minimum weight of only 8.4 tons. The chassis utilizes 28 mature solutions such as ultra-high-strength steel front underguards and ADI cast beams, ensuring load capacity, reliability, and durability. Reducing weight without compromising quality, enabling customers to haul goods easily and make money comfortably.
The gas tank adopts a backpack-style design, located at the rear of the cab.
The exhaust aftertreatment system, battery box, and brake air storage cylinder are all placed on the right side of the chassis, leaving complete space on the left side for easy installation of toolboxes, water tanks, and other configurations. The air dryer tank also uses products from the international manufacturer Knorr-Bremse, ensuring quality.
Large Space, Enhanced Safety, and Humanized Upgrades
In terms of the cab, the TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 gas tractor remains based on the D320 platform, with minimal changes. Its excellent sealing performance is a standout feature, providing dust isolation and noise reduction. Among similar vehicles with the same weight, the TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 gas tractor boasts the largest cab space, with the highest proportion of high-strength steel used in the industry, enhancing safety.
The cab of the TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 gas tractor has undergone numerous humanized upgrades, evident from the moment one opens the door. The boarding pedal is still a wide pedal with hollow anti-slip grooves, and the upper step guard has added a shoe storage function to prevent dirty shoes from entering the cab.
The driver’s seat uses airbag shock absorption, with ventilation and heating functions, ensuring comfort during long-distance driving. Additionally, high-end leather seats are also available, providing a luxurious and comfortable seating experience while being easier to maintain.
The steering wheel adopts a classic four-spoke design, with a textured grip to improve ventilation and increase friction. Paired with protrusions at the 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions, it facilitates driver control. The steering column of the TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 gas tractor has been upgraded, with a larger adjustment range, increasing the adjustment angle from 8 degrees to 16 degrees and lifting the entire steering wheel by 20MM, allowing drivers to find a more suitable driving position.
The instrument panel adopts a hybrid design of mechanical and LCD, clearly displaying various critical driving information in front of the driver.
The dashboard comes with an original factory phone holder, positioned reasonably for optimal reliability and quality.
The dashboard features an ergonomic design, facing the driver for easy operation. It is equipped with storage slots, trays, and can accommodate more on-board items through cup holders and storage drawers.
With the addition of a high-roof layout, the space of the ceiling cabinet has been expanded, enabling the carrying of more on-board items. The door of the central storage cabinet opens upwards, avoiding issues like head bumps, making it quite thoughtful.
The lower bunk bed of the TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 gas tractor is extremely spacious, providing a more comfortable rest for drivers, leading the market in terms of space for vehicles in the same category. Meanwhile, the rear wall of the cab is equipped with an observation window and curtain, convenient for observation while easily blocking external light.
The addition of an upper bunk bed brings convenience for dual-driver operations.
Conclusion
The TianLong KL DragonEngine 3.0 gas tractor continues the reliable and durable tradition of Dongfeng, with upgrades to the interior, power, and other details. Its low gas consumption, high comfort, and reliability make it a powerful tool for earning a living through hard work and saving on fuel.
原创文章，作者：HeSeaOtter，如若转载，请注明出处：https://www.ctinsa.com/truew/805
