Working in consortium with Siemens, Alstom is responsible for the locomotives' body shell, brakes, cab and drivers' desk as well as bogies and the traciton motors. Siemens developed the electrical equipment while MTU supplied the R43 engines for the locomotives which generate 2400kW, 20% more power than the previous R41 version, yet are designed to meet European emissions standards. The locomotive's starting tractive effort has also increased to 300kN, providing the trains with greater traction capacity and thus optimising the cost per tonne hauled.
Since March 2007 Alstom has delivered 99 R41-engined locomotives for use on the French network as well as 33 units that are equipped for use both in France and Germany. The 130 Prima diesels already operating in France have covered 14 million km since their inception.
