2014 Class 8 Update
Freightliner
Now the dominant builder in heavy- and medium-duty segments, Freightliner fields the Cascadia as its main Class 8 highway tractor. It comes as a daycab, and with mid- and high-roof sleepers in several lengths. Cascadia Evolution (shown) is the most fuel-efficient model, and uses advanced aerodynamics and integrated powertrains with Detroit-only components, including the DT12 AMT, or Cummins-Eaton versions. Traditionally styled Coronado is the premium highway tractor and, like Cascadia, is available with Detroit 12.8-liter DD13, 14.8-liter DD15 and 15.6-liter DD16 diesels, which Freightliner strongly promotes, and Cummins’ 11.9-liter ISX12 and 14.9-liter ISX15 diesels. Safety technology is now a la
Kenworth
T680 Advantage (shown) has been well received by customers, KW says, because even with lower fuel prices, they still want to save money. Package includes enhanced aero improvers, an MX-13/Eaton Advantage AMT powertrain, and a 6x2 or 6x4 tandem; it performs best when mated to an aerodynamically sound trailer and is driven properly. The relatively new T680 can also be spec’d with a variety of equipment to suit many on-highway applications. Also in the Class 8 on-road lineup are the wide-cab T700, narrow-cab T660 and traditionally styled W900, and the medium-heavy T440. T880 is taking over vocational duties from the long-running T800. Extra-heavy-duty C500 and K500 are built primarily for off-road servic
Mack
The Pinnacle axle-back in sleeper-cab (shown) and daycab variants is the principle highway tractor, serving long-haul and regional users. The axle-back model is now standard with the mDrive AMT. Pinnacle axle-forward satisfies bridge-formula requirements or customer desires for more traditional styling. Both are propelled by Mack Power diesels in 10.8-liter MP7 and 12.8-liter MP8 versions. Titan heavy-haul model gets the 16.1-liter MP10. Vocational trucks and tractors include the Granite, with MP7 and MP8, and Granite MHD (medium-heavy duty), with Cummins’ 8.9-liter ISL9. The midrange-heavy duty ISL9, also offered in the heavy MR low-cab-forward truck (along with the MP7), is the only Cummins diesel Mack&
Volvo
T he 2016-model VN series (shown), scheduled for production in early 2015, will have enhanced aerodynamics, notably with sculpted bumper and side skirts to move air to the sides and away from wheels. The VNL670 sleeper also has a newly contoured roof to deposit air on the van trailer’s roof and keep it flowing rearward. I-Shift AMT’s oil cooler is redesigned to minimize pumping losses and has quick-disconnect lines for easy maintenance. Adaptive Gearing, an 11th/12th-gear adaptation of downspeeding introduced with the I-Shift XE package, will be available for bulk haulers. On-highway series includes VNL and VNM with long and medium-length hoods with several sleeper options. VNX heavy-haul tractor w
Caterpillar
The new CT681 (shown) with forward-set steer axle joins the Cat Truck series which began in 2011 with the axle-back CT660. CT681’s plain nose is preferred by fleet operators of dump and concrete mixer trucks, Cat said in introducing the model early this year and displaying it in October (see Test Drive on page 36). In 2015, there will be a CT680 tractor, also with a forward-set steer axle but fancier styling to suit premium-minded buyers. Cat Trucks are aimed at vocational duties and built by Navistar with the International PayStar 5000 as a base; they use Navistar’s 12.4-liter N13 diesel which Cat calls the CT13. Cat’s own CX31 full-automatic is the most popular transmission, followed&
International
Battling back from financial and legal woes, Navistar has found sales success by reintroducing Cummins’ ISX15 in its Class 8 models and offering the medium-duty ISB in its Class 6-7 trucks. It’s also updated most of its own MaxxForce diesels to “N” configuration with SCR gear from Cummins Emissions Solutions. ProStar (shown) is the main highway tractor and International’s most aerodynamic model; it comes with the 14.9-liter ISX15 or 12.4-liter N13 diesels, while the retro-styled LoneStar premium model has been resurrected from a recessionary hiatus. LoneStar and the traditionally styled 9900i (the only International without a “Star” name), are powered only by t
Peterbilt
Model 579 tractor with EPIQ package (shown) has all available aerodynamic fairings and “closeouts” (gap covers), and other fuel-saving features to improve fuel efficiency by up to 14% over a base 579, Peterbilt says. An APEX package with an optimized drivetrain is optional for all heavy-duty models and can improve fuel efficiency by up to 4%. The 579 comes in two BBCs, with separate sleepers and with Paccar MX-13 or Cummins ISX12 or -15 diesels. The long-hood 587 has a wider cab and integrated sleeper, and MX-13 or ISX15 power. Other on-highway models are the narrow-cab 386, with MX or Cummins heavy diesels; 384, with Paccar PX-9 and MX-13, Cummins ISL9 and ISX12 diesels, and Cummins Westport I
Western Star
Daimler’s premium brand just introduced the 5700XE (shown), a distinctively styled aero model aimed at owner-operators and image-conscious fleets. It has sculpted fenders, hood and grille, and a specially end-capped bumper that all smooth air flow. The 5700XE is said to be aerodynamically second only to Freightliner’s Cascadia series, and promises fuel savings of up to 7.2% compared to a base 4900 model. It may replace the semi-aero 4900FE, and will come only with Detroit diesels. Detroits and Cummins’ ISX15 can be had with versions of the 4900, and the ISL9 and DD13 in the lighter 4700. The medium-hood 4800 comes only with the DD13, and the extreme-duty off-road 6900DX gets Detr