Peterbilt Offers New Powertrain, Safety Options for Trucks

In addition to a sneak-peek at a demonstrator model of its new, electric, Model 579 daycab, Peterbilt also announced some more conventional products during a press event held at the company’s Innovation Center, in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Peterbilt has announced that the Paccar Automatic Transmission is now available as an option with Paccar MX-11 diesel engines. According to Peterbilt, the Paccar 12-speed automated transmission is the lightest heavy duty automated transmission on the market, designed to work seamlessly with Paccar engines and axles to increase fuel economy and truck performance.

The MX-11 offers exceptional fuel efficiency to increase profitability and uptime while offering a high power to weight ratio. The Paccar 12-speed automated transmission features low cost of operation with 750,000-mile oil change intervals.

“When combined with the MX-11 engine, the Paccar automated transmission offers superior drivability, with industry-leading maneuverability at low speeds,” said Wesley Slavin, on-highway marketing manager, Peterbilt. “The transmission is the best in class for both drivability and weight, making it the best choice for heavy duty fleets and vocational trucks like the Model 567 and 520.”

The company also announced that the Bendix Wingman Fusion system will now be offered as standard equipment on all new Model 579 trucks.

Through a unique combination of camera, radar and braking systems, Bendix Wingman Fusion provides a full set of collision mitigation technologies and driver alerts that greatly enhance driver safety.

“The Bendix Wingman Fusion system acts like a second set of eyes for the driver,” said Slavin. “The Model 579 features the most advanced technology for driver safety and comfort, this system is one of the many advancements drivers can expect to see.”

The system is able to perform a variety of actions, including issuing driver alerts, reducing throttle, and – if necessary – applying the brakes. The system alerts the driver when cars stop abruptly in the truck’s direct lane of travel, advising them to slow down before automatically applying brakes to slow down the truck and mitigate collision. The system additionally alerts drivers when they are traveling over the posted speed limit, first issuing an audible warning signal at 5mph over, and then alerting and applying a 1-second engine de-throttle to get the driver’s attention.

Wingman Fusion further protects drivers by alerting them when they are traveling too close behind another vehicle or unintentionally changing lanes, indicating the driver may be distracted or drowsy. The system includes an alert prioritization feature to alert drivers of only the most crucial information during a mitigation event. This process can reduce driver distraction, allowing them to adapt as quickly as possible.

Peterbilt said this technology provides information to assist drivers and fleet operators by storing it on board and transmitting video and data via the fleet’s telematics system to track and help train drivers and reinforce safe on-road driving practices. After sending audible alerts to the driver, the Bendix Wingman Fusion system, via SafetyDirect, can forward information to the fleet operator. When a vehicle consistently travels over the speed limit or engages in dangerous behavior like abrupt starting and stopping, the fleet operator is notified to better assist drivers with information about how to help increase fuel efficiency and safety.

The Bendix Wingman Fusion technology will be standard on all Peterbilt Model 579 trucks built on or after July 1, 2018.

Related: Behind the Wheel of an Electric Peterbilt Model 579