The new Western Star 49X is a major step forward in terms of how DTNA will approach the North American vocational truck market in the future. Jack Roberts has these photos from his hands-on test drive of the 49X.
Western Star’s 49X: A Head-Turning Workhouse [Photos]
With its robust stance and striking chrome grille and accents, the Western Star 49X is a truck that commands attention on or off the road.
Photo: Jack Roberts
A innovative new roof design gives the 49X an overall cab profile, which still providing enough interior room to wear hardhats in the truck.
Photo: Jack Roberts
A day of driving at the DTNA Truck Proving Grounds outside Madras, Oregon, provided both on-highway, and off-highway evaluation courses to put the new trucks through their paces.
Photo: Jack Roberts
This DD16-equipped Western Star 49X was more than capable of getting 125,000 pounds' worth of construction machinery up and moving, even on steep grades in the Oregon high desert.
Photo: Jack Roberts
Despite the powerful Detroit powertrain, the new Western Star 49X is one of the quietest Class 8 trucks we've ever driven.
Photo: Jack Roberts
Western Star engineers decided to simplify the dashboard display in the new 49X truck. But drivers can easily configure various performance indicators and gauges to their own personal preferences.
Photo: Jack Roberts
The simplified interior includes a “blank slate” mid-dash cluster, which has been optimized for aftermarket control placement. Toggle switches are large enough to manipulate even when wearing heavy work gloves.
Photo: Jack Roberts
DTNA used the launch of the Western Star 49X as the global debut of the new DT Vocational Series transmission, which provides smooth power on the highway, and raw power for tough off-road conditions.
Photo: Jack Roberts
Thanks to massive front and side windows, as well as a new, three-piece rear window design on daycab models, there is ample natural lighting inside the Western Star 49X, with correspondingly safe views to all quarters around the truck.
Photo: Jack Roberts
HDT Editor Jack Roberts prepares to take his inaugural lap around DTNA’s Madras, Oregon, Proving Grounds in the all-new Western Star 49X Class 8 vocational truck.
Photo: Jack Roberts