At a Nov. 8 customer event at the Texas Motor Speedway, the focus was on vocational trucks and Peterbilt’s new Model 579EV electric vehicle. But there was more.

"We thought it would be fun to pull something out that no one has seen yet," said Jake White, Peterbilt director of product marketing,

That “something” turned out to be a new, 72-inch, low-roof sleeper version of Peterbilt’s Model 589 Class 8 conventional tractor, which debuted earlier this year to rave reviews.

“We wanted to show our customers something a little special while they’re out here visiting us," White said.

Long, Low and Lean

White said he believes this version of the Model 589 will be a big hit with Peterbilt’s faithful show truck fans, who love the long-nose conventional tractor for its old-school looks. Those include a tall stainless-steel grille, aggressive stance, traditional “bicycle” fenders, bold external air filter, pod-mounted halogen headlamps, and soaring exhaust stacks.

“The truck has a long, low and lean look to it, and I think it’s going to be a real treat to see one of these out on the highway,” White said.

The demo truck on display at the Texas Motor Speedway was fitted with Peterbilt’s Model 589 Platinum interior trim level, featuring rich, burlwood grain dash and brightwork throughout the cab. Platinum Level trim is capped off with a bold, traditional Peterbilt oval prominently displayed on the back wall of the sleeper.

“And we’ll paint this truck for you any way you like,” White added. “This particular truck is set up with our Legendary Red as the primary color, with the fenders set up in Legendary Black. It’s a great look for a truck show.”

First Impressions of the Model 589 Low-Roof Sleeper

I was able to take the new truck for a quick couple of laps around a road course inside the Speedway oval and found that it was surprisingly nimble for a long-nose conventional.

White told me that about 80% of Model 589s go out the factory door with manual gearboxes. But this demonstrator truck was fitted with the Paccar TX-18 automated transmission. The truck was bobtailed for the short track, but the TX-18 and the 510-hp Paccar MX-13 engine under the hood provided brisk acceleration on the straightaways.

Steering was tight too, so snaking the big rig through the hairpin turns was a snap.

And all of this was accomplished in stylish sound-insulated comfort, looking out over that traditional long nose with the Peterbilt Bird perched on the edge of the hood.

In short, it was everything a Peterbilt long-nose fan loves about these trucks, combined with the very latest in modern powertrain and safety hardware.

White said a formal launch for the new Peterbilt Model 589 72-inch low-rise sleeper will take place early next year. More details on the new model will be released at that time.