After launching the 49X a year ago, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has this week taken the covers off its smaller brother, the Western Star 47X.
Official distributor here, Penske, says both X-Series models are expected to be on the market in Australia later next year.
“It’s very exciting to see the 47X unveiled today in the United States following on from the launch of the 49X last year,” said Craig Lee, general manager – on-highway, Penske Australia.
“We are thrilled to be launching the new Western Star range in late 2022 in Australia, and shortly after that in New Zealand.
“Our local teams here in Australia and New Zealand have worked closely with the Western Star team in the US on the development of the new trucks to tailor them for our local markets in both Australia and New Zealand and will continue to do so.
“Boasting lighter yet tougher cabin frames and steel-reinforced cabins, and with features including wrap-around dashboards, our customers will surely be impressed when they see the trucks in person and step foot into the cabin.”
While the 49X is aimed at applications such as logging, the 47X is pitched squarely at the larger construction market, with a shorter hood and a wheel cut up to 50 degrees.
The 47X is approximately 90kg lighter than the 49X in like-for-like spec and is best for weight-sensitive applications like mixers and bulk haul, say its designers.
The X-Series steel-reinforced aluminum cab further reduces mass by up to 8 per cent while offering greater driver comfort with 13 per cent more space than competitors.
An optional two-person bench seat is available for applications demanding a large on-site crew, and a new space-optimised, in-cab battery box affords additional legroom to the operator.
An optional roof-mounted condenser offers maximum airflow through the radiator for stationary applications like construction and mining while keeping operators comfortable.
“A key priority was to consider how to reduce mass without compromising strength,” said Tracy Mack-Askew, chief engineer of chassis, propulsion and vocational engineering, DTNA. “From the cab to the frame rails, to powertrain and battery configurations, we examined all features to deliver weight savings.”
The 47X comes standard with the Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine, which features higher compression ratios and a new swirl piston design to further improve combustion and efficiency. ThermoCoasting in the DD13 Gen 5 prevents aftertreatment cool-down during a driving regen to keep the system at its optimum temperature and significantly reduce the need for parked regens.
For weight-sensitive applications, the Cummins L9 and X12 engines are available for the 47X. Optional front-engine power take-off (FEPTO) is offered on both Cummins engine offerings and the Detroit DD13.
The 47X is also offered with the all-new DT12-V transmission, which is built on the proven DT12 and has more than 35 million miles of vocational-specific testing. The DT12 includes three work-ready mode applications: Rock-free mode, Off-road mode, and Paver mode for the challenges of specific vocational applications.
Standard for any 47X equipped with the DD13 Gen 5, the Detroit Assurance suite of active safety systems brings industry-leading active safety solutions to the vocational segment, including active brake assist, side guard assist, adaptive cruise control and more to keep operators, workers at the job site, pedestrians, and other motorists safe, adds the launch media release.