LOUISVILLE -- Peterbilt made a slew of announcements Wednesday at the Mid-America Trucking Show,  including a new version of one of its highway tractors and a new vocational model.

567 Vocational Truck

Peterbilt unveiled its all-new vocational Model 567, which it says the result of the most extensive product research and development in line-up of vocational vehicles.

At the core of the 567 is the durable, new aluminum cab that is stronger for long-lasting endurance and comes standard to meet severe-service requirements. Strategically placed steel reinforcements were designed to increase strength and optimize rigidity. The 567 cab endured rigorous testing at the Paccar Technical Center in Mount Vernon, Wash.

“For additional strength and cab stability, steel upper A-pillars and rear corner reinforcements have been added,” said Landon Sproull, Peterbilt chief engineer. “The large cast aluminum front cab mounts distribute road stresses evenly, reducing road-induced wear and improving ride quality.”

In addition to cab durability, the signature stainless steel oval mesh grille and surround provide protection from gravel and road debris. The new Metton hood, which is a tough and durable engineering plastic material, is highly resilient, absorbing many impacts that would shatter or crack other materials. The hood pivot system has a protection feature that directs energy around the cooling module in the event of an impact.

The forward lighting system, says Peterbilt, is a proven design that significantly enhances down-road visibility and reduces driver fatigue. The headlamps feature projector module low beams, which have a 2,000 hour lifecycle, and complex reflector high beams. Peterbilt’s pod-mounted design helps protect the headlight from potential damage to the fender, common occurrences on congested jobsites.

It says maximum forward visibility is achieved through a panoramic windshield that features integrated locaters in the cab structure to allow for high-quality and time-efficient field repairs. A-pillars use strategically placed supports for added strength, allowing them to be 13% narrower than other designs, further enhancing visibility.

The 567 is available in two BBC configurations – the 121-inch and 115-inch – in a day cab or with a selection of detachable sleeper configurations—44, 70, and 80 inch.

The 567 can be spec’d with a wide variety of heavy-duty components and in a number of configurations for increased payloads and optimized weight distribution. It’s available in a set-back front axle configuration for increased maneuverability in congested worksites and with steer axle ratings up to 22,000 lbs. An angled steering gear installation further improves maneuverability by increasing wheel cut by up to 9 degrees over other designs, reducing curb-to- curb turning diameter by up to 9 feet.

The 567 features a chassis design that reduces weight for increased payload capacity, improves stiffness for an exceptional driving experience and improves maneuverability for operating in congested worksites. In addition, the chassis is 10% to 15% stiffer than comparable products improving ride and handling while reducing in-cab noise.

The chassis was also designed to consider the needs of service technicians and body manufacturers. Chassis system routing improvements include new air and fuel hard lines and the separation of key air, fuel, diesel exhaust fluid and electrical systems routings which significantly simplifies service, repair and body installation.

The Model 567 is standard with front air disc brakes. The standard electronic stability control system provides added stability and traction.

“A key consideration of the Model 567 design process is the driver-centric, roomy cab and sleeper environment,” said Sproull. “During our research and planning, we interviewed and surveyed hundreds of drivers about their preferences to ensure the 567 cab would provide operators with the most productive and comfortable operating environment.”

The new gauge panel is easy to read, completely visible through the steering wheel, and provides critical and functional information to the driver. The Model 567 also features a 5-inch color Driver Information Display. The display features important information including an engine-RPM sweet-spot indicator to help drivers maximize fuel economy. A secondary panel can house up to six optional gauges or, when specified, Peterbilt’s SmartNav audio and navigation system.

All controls and switches are placed within easy reach to minimize driver distraction. Switches are backlit for enhanced nighttime visibility. LED lighting throughout the cab provides a contemporary look and bulb life is 10 times greater than incandescent lighting and significantly lowers power consumption.

The 567 was designed to provide ease of serviceability and improve vehicle uptime. The electrical system features angled dress covers, providing added protection for electrical connections, and several routing troughs have been incorporated to define harness placements and ensure reliability.

The Metton hood opens a full 90 degrees for easier access to key service points so technicians can reach the cab electrical and air connections, air intake filter, A/C service ports, and cab fresh air filter, which are all firewall mounted for convenient access.

The 567 is available with the new Paccar MX-13 engine. Power offerings are expanded with the addition of a 500-horsepower rating with 1,850 pounds-feet of torque. The 567 is also available with the Cummins ISX15, proving up to 600 horsepower for heavy haul applications.

New Version of Model 579

The Texas-based company announced a new mid-length version of its model 579 tractor. It said the lightweight 117-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab design offers excellent maneuverability and outstanding visibility while maintaining the model exceptional aerodynamic characteristics.

“The Model 579 improves customers’ bottom lines through higher reliability, better fuel economy, increased driver retention, and enhanced resale value,” said Bill Kozek, Peterbilt general manager and Paccar vice president. “The new mid-length BBC Model 579 configuration offers additional weight reduction and performance advantages with the standard Paccar MX-13 engine as the perfect powertrain complement. This combination of performance attributes optimizes the vehicle for weight sensitive customers, such as regional and bulk haul applications.”

The new mid-length Model 579 can be configured as a day cab or with the full range of detachable Peterbilt sleepers. The 117-inch-BBC hood features a durable, low-cost-of-repair three-piece design. In addition, the Peterbilt stainless steel grille and chromed surround is designed to protect the cooling module from road debris.

The 117-inch-BBC hood is dramatically sloped for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, and when combined with the 579’s panoramic-style windshield, offers exceptional forward visibility. Also, the set-back front axle position optimizes weight distribution and provides excellent maneuverability in congested environments.

The 117-inch BBC Model 579 will be available with the 2013 Paccar MX-13 engine in June. [PAGEBREAK]

New Sleepers On 579

On a related note, Peterbilt announced the availability of the all-new 80-inch sleeper for the Model 579. The new 80-inch sleeper represents the largest sleeper in Peterbilt’s history.

The sleeper has a 42-inch bunk, spacious tower storage cabinets, and LED lighting and is fully detachable for enhanced resale value and increased versatility in second- and third-life operations. Additional important features of the 80-inch sleeper include: microwave shelf with power outlet, coffee maker cabinet, upper side and back wall cabinets, full-length sleeper access door with optional window, liftable bunk for additional storage and service access to HVAC and audio components, optional mid-height refrigerator, TV package that includes brackets, power outlets and shelving to accommodate up to a 22 inch flat panel TV and a DVD player or video game console along with more

In addition to the new 80-inch sleeper, the Model 579 is also available with a 72-inch sleeper and a new 44-inch low roof sleeper introduced earlier this year. 

New Interior for 587

Peterbilt also introduced a new cab interior for the aerodynamic Model 587. The dash brow has been re-contoured and lowered to provide better forward visibility for a wide range of driver height profiles. In addition, the dash shape has been optimized to bring switches, controls and storage to within easy reach of the driver and help reduce distractions.

“From a design perspective, we focused on the touch points,” said Sproull. “Hundreds of drivers were interviewed and measured during the research and development to ensure this new cab environment meets their needs.”

For example, the 587 also features new gauges positioned to maximize usability. The new 5-inch color Driver Information Display communicates critical vehicle operational information to the driver. Also, the driver package includes an efficient pedal design with floor-mounted feel and actuation, as well as a new air over hydraulic clutch system that reduces pedal effort by fifty percent. The truck has all-LED interior lighting, which dramatically extends bulb life and reduces battery power requirements.

SmartAir, SmartNav & PreSet Plus

Peterbilt also announced the production availability of its battery powered SmartAir anti-idle cooling system to reduce fuel costs and improves driver comfort.

“The SmartAir system is designed to maintain a comfortable rest space in hot climates without idling,” said Bill Kozek. “This system has exceptional cooling capacity and delivers bottom line savings to customers through reduced fuel consumption.”

From an operator’s perspective, the system is easy to run and has the cooling capacity to keep the sleeper comfortable even in the harshest hot-weather climates. SmartAir has a 7,500 BTU/Hour cooling capacity and can operate up to 10 hours on a single charge.

SmartAir also features on-board diagnostics, fully automatic temperature control, and digital LCD display battery monitoring. It’s available on the  384, 386, 388, 389, 587 and new 579.

When it comes to navigation, entertainment and information, Peterbilt gave details of new enhancements to SmartNav, its proprietary system. Now included in SmartNav are expanded audio controls and 10 new virtual gauges. New standard virtual gauges include engine oil temperature, and transmission temperature.

The company also announced the availability of PreSet Plus hub systems as standard equipment on all Peterbilt class 8 trucks. PreSet Plus hub systems, it says, are designed to improve serviceability and reliability of vehicle wheel ends.