Mack Trucks Unveils EPA 2027-Compliant MP13 Engine at ACT Expo 2026
Mack Trucks introduced a new version of its MP13 engine at the 2026 ACT Expo on May 5. The engine meets the EPA’s upcoming 2027 nitrogen oxide emissions standards. This update positions the MP13 for use in both highway and vocational applications as regulations tighten.
The EPA 2027 standards introduce stricter limits on NOx emissions, requiring heavy-duty diesel engines to reduce output further. Mack’s updated MP13 incorporates features to comply with these rules while maintaining performance levels that drivers rely on for daily operations.
Key specifications for the new MP13 include up to 540 horsepower and 1,950 lb.-ft. of torque. It also provides a 630 bhp engine brake, enhancing retarding capability for safer descents and reduced reliance on service brakes in vocational and highway hauling.
Fuel efficiency sees an improvement of up to 3% over the previous MP13. In the all-new Mack Granite, for example, this gain applies directly to vocational tasks, helping drivers stretch fuel budgets on construction sites, refuse routes, and similar duties.
Availability spans Mack’s full lineup. Drivers operating Granite models, highway tractors like the Anthem, or other vocational trucks such as the LR or TerraPro will find the EPA 2027 MP13 as an option. Orders open in August 2026, with production aligned to model year 2028 vehicles.
To achieve low-NOx compliance, the engine features a 48-volt alternator. This supports a heated exhaust aftertreatment system, including a new 10kW heater and a supplementary battery box. These components ensure the aftertreatment functions effectively during low-temperature starts and extended idling, common in vocational work.
Mack describes the MP13 as its most powerful and efficient engine to date. The updates bridge the gap between regulatory demands and the power needs of fleets. For professional drivers, this means sustained torque for heavy loads without sacrificing the fuel economy that impacts route profitability.
Highway drivers pulling doubles or flatbeds will benefit from the 1,950 lb.-ft. torque peak, available across a broad RPM range suited to interstate speeds. Vocational operators, facing frequent stops and varied terrain, gain from the enhanced engine braking and efficiency improvements tailored to real-world cycles.
The announcement at ACT Expo underscores Mack’s focus on integrating emissions compliance into proven powertrains. Drivers familiar with the current MP13 will encounter minimal changes to driving feel, with gains in efficiency and braking as primary enhancements.
As fleets prepare for 2027, this engine offers a clear path to compliance. Production timing allows operators to plan repowers or new purchases without disrupting schedules. The 3% fuel economy edge, combined with robust power output, supports bottom-line operations under new rules.