Following the initial order of ten locomotives, PKP Intercity confirmed on 21.6.2023 that it would also execute an option for five more of the multi-system version of the Griffin locomotives made by Newag from Nowy Sacz. After the delivery, which should start at the end of 2023, the manufacturer maintains the locomotives up to the P4 maintenance level.
Unlike the 30 delivered (and 20 more on order) DC locomotives (Griffins, class EU160), they intend to be used in international traffic. Newag wants to approve them for operation in Poland and Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Their maximum speed will also be higher, reaching 200 km/h, and they will be equipped with ETCS BL2. Their designation at the manufacturer is E4MSUa.
After obtaining approval in Germany and Czechia, the new locomotives will run on these international routes: Warsaw - Berlin, Przemyśl - Berlin, Gdynia - Berlin, Gdynia - Warsaw - Katowice - Vienna (on the section to Bohumin).
The locomotives will also be used domestically on frequent routes such as Warsaw - Gdynia, Warsaw - Poznan, Warsaw - Wroclaw, Warsaw - Katowice, and Warsaw - Krakow.
