In Las Vegas Kenworth introduced the next step in the 60-year evolution of the W900 — the W990. The big changes include the addition of the wider cab, now found on the all of the company's on-highway Class 8s, and most obviously, a brand new hood. Early responses from drivers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are running a little cooler than Kenworth might have hoped, but tinkering with an icon like the W900 is bound to produce strong reactions either way. Photos: Jim Park
Kenworth's W990 Pays Homage to a Classic [Photos]
The W990 comes as a day cab, a 40-inch flat top sleeper, and 52- and 76-inch mid-roof sleepers.
The W990 built on the same cab platform used in the T680 and T880.
Inside, final touches come in the form of a limited-edition cab and sleeper interior, and the W990 Driver’s Studio Package.
The “wind-split” raised section at the top of the hood itself is meant to accentuate its length as drivers look over the dash.
The grille at the front maintains what’s described as a “cathedral shape”, with inset surfaces to define a tailored look.
Kenworth's new long-hood conventional W990 was inspired by the heritage of its classic W900 truck.
The W900 has, in one form or another, been a staple of Kenworth’s lineup since 1961. The W is even a nod to Edgar K. Worthington, one of the company’s founding fathers who gave the brand its "worth."
The shape is 6-7% more aerodynamic than a W900L.
While it offers a nod to the company’s heritage, the W990 also comes standard with the latest TruckTech+ remote diagnostics, navigation, audio controls, blind spot camera inputs and more.