The covers came off a new line-up of Kenworth wide cab models at the Brisbane Truck Show this week – the T320, T420, T620 and T620SAR.
With emission standards for heavy vehicles being phased in through ADR 80/04 in November, Kenworth has taken the opportunity to continue its long history of evolving its model range.
PACCAR Australia Driver Trainer Brad Crockett told Big Rigs from the show floor the all-new line-up is also the safest Kenworth has put on the road for a long time with a full standard package – from advanced emergency braking to adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning.
“For a few years now you’ve been able to tick a box and add these systems in but the new rules in Australia have made these standard and it really brings these trucks up to a new level,” Crockett said.
Crockett said the T620 range is fully adaptable and very versatile, from a tipper application to the biggest multi-combinations.
Although buyers still have scope for customisation at the dealership, Crockett said there is an increasing array of PACCAR direct available options.
“From build to someone driving the truck out of the gate with their number plates on, it’s a shorter delivery time,” he said.
Crockett said some of the most exciting features are those that the driver doesn’t get to see, such as the range’s electrical framework.
“You’re now looking at a faster, smarter decision-making truck. The smarts of the truck are really dialled in.”
“When the truck can react quicker to an event and everything kicks off, we’re good to go.”
With a simple press of a button, the new generation Kenworths will also perform a comprehensive systems check.
Likewise, at the end of the day upon shutting down, it will display a detailed trip and vehicle summary. This includes statistics like, average fuel economy, idle time, cruise control usage as well as any potential mechanical issues.
The new generation Kenworth trucks feature a 15-inch high-definition instrument panel. Intuitive and easy to read, this new digital instrumentation helps reduce distraction by allowing the driver to control how much information is shown when operating the truck. This can be customised from driver to driver and trip to trip.
The instrument panel displays critical content to alert the driver of all necessary information, constantly monitoring critical vehicle parameters, and displaying them to the driver as required. This includes early intervention warnings for the driver, allowing them to respond quickly.
To further help drivers remain focused on the road, the AVN is integrated with the steering wheel controls and the driver’s phone can be stored safely on either the charging pad, or in one of the convenient storage pockets in the new dash.
The T420 is powered by the latest ADR 80/04 compliant PACCAR MX-13 engine, while the T320 and T620s run a Cummins X15 Euro 6 engine, with power ratings up to 625hp and 2050 lb-ft of torque now available from 1000 rpm, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.