KENWORTH Truck Company introduced new enhancements for its wide cab T2000 model that increase aerodynamics and driver comfort and help lower repair costs. The enhancements were announced during the Mid-America Trucking Show March 25-27 in Louisville, Kentucky.
“Through creative engineering, the enhanced Kenworth T2000 will have an even lower cost of operation for our customers, and that's what successful trucking is all about,” said Jim Bechtold, Kenworth's chief engineer. “By reconfiguring the front bumper to three pieces instead of one, and isolating the bumper from the body of the T2000, we've focused on where front-end damage can occur. This new design lowers repair costs. What's more, we've added a new steel subframe to better protect the radiator from front collision impact.”
Other improvements include a modified sunvisor mounting that directs more air up and over the T2000. “It doesn't look like a big improvement, but it makes a significant impact,” said Bechtold. “It reduces drag by nearly 1% and can cut fuel bills by more than $200 per year for the average longhaul driver.”
And drivers will enjoy more room. Kenworth engineers gave the driver's seat an extra six degrees of seat recline and added 2-1/2" of belly room. “Any extra seat recline you can give a driver is appreciated when they have a few minutes to relax,” said Bechtold. “The Kenworth T2000 is a very comfortable truck and features one of the widest integral cabs in the industry. For those who like room, the T2000 is the perfect choice.”
The maneuverability of the W900L conventional is being enhanced with an optional 12,000-pound wide track front axle that will be available on a limited basis in May with full availability in July. “By improving the turning radius to 35 degrees, the W900L driver will be able to make tighter turns in work environments where space is at a premium,” Bechtold said. “Drivers will be able to get in and out of tight locales more easily and complete their delivery schedules faster.”
Offering the best power-to-weight ratio in the industry, the Cummins enhanced ISL engine is now available on Kenworth W900S and T800 short hood models. Kenworth is offering the 8.9-liter, high-performance engine in ratings of 310 to 350 horsepower and 1,050 to 1,250 foot-pounds of torque.
“The Cummins ISL is an excellent engine that is expected to be popular in Kenworth's short hood T800 and W900S models, especially for vocational and pick-up and delivery applications,” said Steve Gilligan, Kenworth's general marketing manager. “It's also a great engine for weight-sensitive customers, such as in ready-mix and bulk-hauling applications, because it delivers a 500-pound weight savings over competitive engines.”
The W900 is among models that can be ordered with the new 86" and 72" AeroCab Diamond sleepers. Diamond options offer a fixed 42 by 80-inch lower bunk with an optional upper bunk for team drivers, up to 69 cu ft of storage with room for an optional refrigerator, plus weight savings of up to 150 lb. Both The 86" and 72" AeroCab Diamond sleepers feature four color schemes, vista windows, and a wall-mounted console which enables independent temperature control in the sleeper and adjustment for ambient lighting. Entertainment jack is available for headphones.
Other Kenworth enhancements include:
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Factory-installed Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio systems. Options include the tuner, receiver and antenna. Customers will need to contract with their specific satellite provider to subscribe.
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Watson & Chalin's Tru-Track Super Lite steerable lift axle is an option on T800 and W900 models. With a gross axle capacity of 8,000 lb, axle assembly weighs 895 lb with wheels and tires. That is 374 lb less than Watson & Chalin's conventional 13,200-lb Tru-Track assembly, or a total savings of more than 1,100 lb on a truck equipped with three lift axles.
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Dana Spicer ESD225 air disc brakes are available on selected Kenworth models.