Mack Trucks announced that it has begun production of its all-new Anthem.

The OEM said the new truck is a ground-up redesign aimed squarely at regional-haul applications. 

The Class 8 tractor is designed for fleets that want tighter turning, better fuel economy, and a cab that’s easier to live in after long days behind the wheel.

The new Anthem is now rolling off the line at Mack’s Lehigh Valley Operations plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Mack said it has invested $405 million at the plant over the past decade to support production of the Anthem and other Class 8 models.

“The all-new Anthem represents more than a decade of engineering innovation, delivering practical solutions that address the real challenges facing today’s regional-haul operations,” Jonathan Randall, president, Mack Trucks North America, said in a statement. “From rising operational costs to driver recruitment challenges, we designed Anthem from the ground up to help our customers succeed.”

Shorter BBC Aimed at Regional-Haul Applications

A key change in the new Anthem design is a shorter bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) length of 113.5 inches. 

Mack said the shorter BBC improves maneuverability in tight spaces and also reduces weight, potentially freeing up additional payload capacity.

Anthem also gets a redesigned hood that Mack said improves forward visibility. 

According to the OEM, the new hood design allows drivers to see roughly 12% closer to the front bumper than the previous design. This is an improvement intended to help in stop-and-go traffic, pedestrian-heavy environments, and close-quarters backing situations common to regional work.

Up to 10% Fuel-Efficiency Improvement

Mack said the new Anthem delivers up to a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the prior model. 

Mack said that equals approximately $5,000 in annual fuel savings per truck, depending on duty cycle and fuel prices.

Anthem’s power comes from Mack’s MP13 engine. It is rated at up to 515 hp and 1,950 lb.-ft. of torque. 

Mack said the engine’s redesigned wave piston and combustion system contribute about 3% of the fuel economy improvement, while the remaining 7% is attributed to aerodynamic changes, including a wedge-shaped cab design.

The standard transmission is the upgraded mDRIVE automated manual gearbox. It is offered in 12-, 13-, and 14-speed configurations. 

Mack said the new mDRIVE delivers 30% faster shifts and noted that the 13-speed Dynamic Overdrive uses an adaptive strategy that toggles between Economy+, Economy and Performance modes based on driving conditions.

“Car-Like” Ride

Driver experience is another major theme in the Anthem redesign. Mack said this is to help fleets compete for qualified drivers, especially in high-turnover regional segments.

Mack said the new Anthem cab is nine inches wider than the previous model and will be offered in a day cab, 44-inch sleeper, and 64-inch sleeper configurations.

The interior was completely redesigned, Mack said, including new wide-base seats with optional ventilation, heat, and massage functions.

For sleepers, Mack said stand-up configurations offer enough headroom for drivers to stand upright, with premium mattresses and blackout curtains aimed at better rest during breaks and layovers.

The truck also features a redesigned suspension, the OEM said, that delivers a noticeably smoother ride. This is part of an intentional push by Mack engineers to make the Anthem feel more “car-like,” particularly for newer drivers who may be less willing to tolerate the harshness of older trucks.

Mack Protect ADAS

The new Anthem includes Mack Protect, the company’s proprietary ADAS bundle. 

Mack said forward collision warning is standard, while higher tiers add additional features. 

The Mack Protect Pro ADAS level adds blind-spot warning on both sides with side-curtain airbags, while Mack Protect Premier adds lane-keeping assistance.

Mack also said the Anthem includes a standard front airbag and offers an optional Integrated Curtain Airbag (ICA) system mounted in the overhead compartment. The ICA deploys in rollover events to help protect the driver from impact with side glass.

An optional digital mirror system is also available, which Mack said can reduce traditional blind spots while improving aerodynamics.

Connectivity and Uptime Tools

Mack said the new Anthem, along with the recently introduced Pioneer model, are its most connected trucks to date.

The Anthem includes Mack’s Integrated Uptime bundle, complimentary for five years. That package includes:

• Mack Connect for performance data, location tracking, analytics, and diagnostics

• Over-the-air programming for software updates without service appointments

• GuardDog Connect, an automated service-related data-sharing solution for dealers, is intended to reduce repair time.

The MyMack driver app also allows drivers to check fluid levels, set the parking cooler, monitor tire pressures, and handle pre-trip inspections from a phone.

Mack said the all-new Anthem is now in production and available to order through Mack dealers nationwide. 

The company is also offering virtual walkarounds through its Mack Live Tour platform, and online configuration through the Mack Truck Builder tool on its website.