Mack MP13 Hits 540 HP for EPA 2027 — 20% More Engine Brake
New 13-liter delivers 1,950 lb-ft torque, 3% fuel gain in Granite, 75% NOx cut via redesigned block and aftertreatment.
How much power does the new Mack MP13 make?
Mack's next-generation MP13 engine will deliver 540 horsepower and 1,950 lb-ft of torque when it arrives in Granite, Anthem, and Pioneer models for the 2027 EPA NOx standard — the highest output Mack has built in a 13-liter package. The engine also gains 20% more engine braking power, now rated at 630 hp, which translates to shorter stopping distances and less foundation brake wear on mountain grades.
Govi Kannan, Mack's SVP of global products, confirmed the specs at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas. The MP13 meets the federal 2027 NOx rule through a redesigned engine block and enhanced aftertreatment system, cutting NOx emissions by nearly 75% compared to the outgoing engine.
What changed in the engine block?
The new MP13 shares a platform with Volvo's D13 but uses different torque and horsepower curves tuned for Mack customers. The block redesign supports the higher output and works with the aftertreatment changes to hit the NOx target. Mack did not disclose piston, turbo, or injection-system changes, but the 75% NOx reduction required modifications in both combustion strategy and exhaust treatment.
Fuel economy and service intervals
In the Mack Granite, the new MP13 delivers up to 3% better fuel efficiency than the current engine. Mack has not published service-interval changes, DPF regeneration frequency, or DEF consumption rates for the 2027 aftertreatment system. Fleet managers should expect those details closer to production.
The 20% gain in engine braking power — from roughly 525 hp to 630 hp — matters most on long downgrades where foundation brakes overheat. Higher retarding force means fewer brake applications per descent, which extends drum and rotor life and cuts reline frequency. For vocational fleets running mountain routes, that translates to measurable savings in brake maintenance over a truck's first 500,000 miles.
When does the MP13 reach production?
Mack did not announce a production start date or order-book opening. The EPA 2027 NOx standard takes effect January 1, 2027, so engines built for model-year 2027 trucks must comply. Fleets planning 2027 Granite or Anthem orders should confirm availability and pricing with dealers by late 2026.
The MP13 will compete directly against Cummins' X15 and other 13-to-15-liter platforms meeting the same NOx rule. Comparative fuel-economy data, warranty terms, and real-world DPF performance will determine which engine small fleets spec when order books open.
What this means for Mack fleets
The 540-hp rating positions the MP13 above most competitor 13-liter engines in raw output, though torque curves and fuel maps matter more than peak numbers for linehaul and vocational duty cycles. The 3% fuel gain in the Granite — if it holds in mixed-duty cycles — saves roughly $1,200 per truck annually at 100,000 miles and $3.50 diesel. The enhanced engine brake reduces foundation brake wear, but the cost delta versus the current MP13 and any changes to aftertreatment service intervals will determine whether total cost of ownership improves or shifts expense from fuel to maintenance.
Fleets running current-generation Mack trucks should ask dealers about parts commonality, software-update requirements for existing shop scan tools, and whether the new aftertreatment system uses different sensors or DPF substrates that affect parts inventory. The 2027 NOx rule forces every OEM to redesign exhaust systems; early adopters will surface any serviceability issues before the second model year.
