Scania’s new five-cylinder engine family brings a wealth of benefits to waste operators looking for cost-effective, efficient and low emission rubbish collection vehicles.
 

“Waste company executives are telling us that for the first time they are very focused on their fuel burn costs, so the arrival of our more fuel-efficient Super 11-litre powertrains are timely,” says Benjamin Nye, Director of Truck Sales at Scania Australia.
 

The new Super 11-litre engine family provides a choice of three power outputs, 350, 390 and 430 hp, and offers a 7% fuel burn reduction compared with the previous generation 9-litre five-cylinder engine.
 

In addition to the fuel burn reduction, and associated reduction in emissions, the five-cylinder engine range is paired with a new 14-speed gearbox, which has also shed weight compared to the unit it replaces.
 

“This new powertrain therefore allows greater payload for operators, with lower operating costs, leading to greater operational profitability. For fleets with significant numbers of vehicles on the road all day, every day, these savings will make their presence felt in the P&L reports,” Ben says.
 

To demonstrate the efficacy of the new Super 11 engine range to waste collection businesses, Scania commissioned a front-lift body from Superior Pak which is currently undertaking a nationwide roadshow tour.
 

The Super 11 five-cylinder engines deliver higher torque than before, with the 350 hp engine producing 1800 Nm from as low as 950 rpm, the 390 hp engine delivers 2000 Nm and the 430 hp 2200 Nm all of which provide torque advantages over competitor outputs.
 

The engine is compact, lightweight, and designed to optimise performance in every application. It has also been designed for a 25% longer working life, expected to clock up 2 million km, depending on applications. Maintenance intervals are up to 30 percent longer than Scania’s 9-litre engines, which increases uptime and reduces overall servicing costs.
 

Fuel consumption is a defining factor in most transport operations, making efficiency critical. But not only is the Super 11 range frugal on diesel, it is compatible with HVO across all the range and supports B100 biodiesel for up to 85% CO₂ emissions reduction for 390 hp and 430 hp versions, depending on operating conditions.
 

The Super 11 features key improvements that are the result of years of technical innovation and development. The new engine is equipped with Scania’s own cam phaser technology for variable valve timing, enabling real-time engine thermal management and improved combustion performance. This is combined with new engine software and balance shafts for reduced vibration and a robust engine brake, which offers up to 344 kW through Scania’s innovative Variable Valve Brake (VVB) system.
 

Scania’s patented turbo dosing ensures efficient AdBlue utilisation and enables the engine to operate in a more efficient mode, feeding urea into the exhaust system before and after the turbocharger.
 

The benefits don’t end there. There’s a new Scania 14-speed manual Opticruise gearbox with a wide spread of ratios (including crawler gears) and new robust axles in the mix, giving greater vehicle control in tight and challenging access points. The option to specify a traditional six-speed Allison automatic remains.
 

The result is a Scania Super 11 powertrain that delivers a smoother, more comfortable driving experience.
 

“Our new Super 11 front-lift proves that you can have the efficiencies of our 14-speed Opticruise, with the ability to approach bins at crawling pace. We have excellent manoeuvrability for picking up bins in tight spaces,” Ben says.
 

“Many customers who have bought our larger Super 13 six-cylinder engines fitted with this gearbox have found that the manoeuvrability and consumption is superior to that of their older trucks. However, we will continue to offer the Allison six-speed as an option,” Ben says.
 

“We see our low entry cabin as providing OH&S benefits, with only two steps up into the cabin. I believe we are the last of the two-step entry trucks available. And we're one of the last trucks that can be comfortably made with a front-lift, having the bin lifting tines park above the windscreen so they don’t obstruct the driver’s vision. The low cab position doesn’t cause over-height issues either, and our low dashboard enhances the driver’s vision from behind the wheel, while the driver's seat is positioned forward and close to the door to give excellent visibility,” Ben says.
 

“Complementing the visibility benefits is the full suite of Scania Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian collision warning, which will warn when pedestrians are detected near the front, side or rear of the truck,” he says. “Our fully digital instrument panels also provide myriad benefits to drivers going about their business.”
 

Scania’s tailored solution concept allows operators to personalise the configuration of their vehicle, selecting engine, gearbox and axle specification along with the ability to choose air suspension with the Scania built-in weighing system. The air suspension gives operators the possibility to raise and lower the truck, which can be advantageous for drivers accessing building sites or anywhere with a potentially awkward entry.
 

“We can elevate the chassis for greater ground clearance, or we can lower it to get into a tight spot to pick up a bin in an urban area or a car park. Of course, air suspension also offers a magic carpet ride. We've had many people comment that they have never driven a more relaxing twin-steer,” Ben says.
 

“We anticipate operators will choose between the 350 hp and 390 hp engine outputs for front-lifts, depending on the use case, because they're not towing. As a result, they can run as a rigid at 28.5-tonnes. We are allowed an extra 500 kg on the steer because we are Euro 6e-compliant and have the necessary safety systems,” he says.
 

The Scania Super 11 Roadshow is currently touring Australia, with full details of the Scania front-lift, as well as the new five-cylinder range available on the website or by contacting one of the 10-Scania owned branches around the country. The Scania front-lift demonstrator will also be on display at the Waste Expo Australia at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, from 28-29 October 2026.