New truck models pair comfort with brawn

Medium- and heavy-duty truck manufacturers continue to focus on lower emissions in compliance with U.S. EPA diesel engine standards. All diesel engines produced starting Jan. 1 must comply with the new regulations that require the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC) by 50 percent and particulate matter (PM) by more than 90 percent over the 2004 emission standards. Further reductions of NOx, HC and PM will be required by 2010.

Despite all the regulatory changes, manufacturers continue to boost horsepower, torque and weight ranges. The makers also are focused on reducing maintenance and downtime.

Chevrolet and GMC W-Series

The W-Series, available in standard and crew cab models, has an all-new cab with greater rust and corrosion protection from the galvanized steel panels to the electro deposit paint primer and high-quality enamel paint top coat. The W-Series is available with an overhead cam Isuzu 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged, intercooled, diesel engine. It has a B10 durability rating of 310,000 miles, which means 90 percent of the engines should reach this mileage before a major component failure -- provided good maintenance practices have been followed. Horsepower increases to 205 at 2400 rpm (up from 190) and torque increases to 441 pound-feet at 1850 rpm (up from 387). The gross vehicle weight ranges from 12,000 pounds to 19,500 pounds. Gasoline engine options include the Vortec 6.0L V-8 engine with 325 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque.

For more: www.chevrolet.com/mediumduty; www.gmc.com/commercialBridge.jsp.

Dodge Ram Chassis Cab

The 2008 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab models feature the Cummins Turbo Diesel with 610 pound-feet of torque and 305 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and a six-speed automatic or manual transmission with Power Take Off capability. The new class 4 and 5 trucks have a life-to-overhaul interval of 350,000 miles. The standard diesel exhaust brake system, together with class-leading brakes and pistons, extends brake life while giving drivers increased control. Four cab-axle lengths (60, 84, 108 and 120 inches) are available. Maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for 4500 model is 16,500 pounds. For 5500 model, the maximum GVWR is 19,500 pounds. The gross combined weight rating for both 4500 and 5500 models is 26,000 pounds.

For more: www.dodge.com/en/08chassis_cab/index.html.

Ford F-450 Super Duty

The F-450 chassis incorporates a new rear leaf-spring suspension while using the radius arm front suspension from the F-450 chassis cab. This setup provides for the tightest turning radius in its class. The F-450 offers a maximum payload of more than 6,000 pounds and towing capacity of more than 24,000 pounds. The F-450 features a 362-horsepower 6.8-liter V-10 Triton gasoline engine or a 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel. A high-pressure, common rail fuel system, Piezo-electric fuel injectors and an advanced diesel particulate filter system reduce particulate output by more than 90 percent and posting emissions numbers on par with gasoline engines. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual with overdrive or a TorqShift five-speed automatic. Both two- and four-wheel-drive models are available on the 2008 Super Duty.

For more: www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/2008fleetshowroom/2008-f450SD.asp.

Freightliner Cascadia

The Freightliner Cascadia features a GVWR of 35,000 to 71,000 pounds with a gross combined weight rating of 92,000 pounds. Engine options include the 445 horsepower Detroit Diesel Series 60; an MBE 4000 with ratings of 370 to 450 horsepower and Caterpillar C15 with ratings from 435 to 550 horsepower. The EatonFuller manual transmission is standard, while the UltraShift and AutoShift transmissions are available options. It’s also equipped standard with a front taperleaf suspension rated at 12,000 pounds or an optional spring suspension rated at 14,600 pounds. The rear AirLiner suspension comes standard and it’s rated at 40,000 pounds, or the optional AirLiner suspension is rated at 21,000 pounds.

For more: www.drivecascadia.com.

International ProStar

The new International ProStar is the result of five years and $300 million in development, including the continuous collaboration of dealer and customer advisory boards. Designed to provide best-in-class fuel economy, unparalleled driver satisfaction, unprecedented uptime and lowest cost of ownership; the International ProStar is designed based on the demands of the customer. Transmission replacement time has been reduced by 90 minutes. International also synchronized service intervals so that customers gain an average of 59 more days on the road over the life of the vehicle. Initial production will be based on 122-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab tractors with day cab and high-rise sleeper configurations. The 2008 ProStar class 8 tractor is available with a Caterpillar C13 engine, a Cummins ISX and an International MaxxForce engine.

For more: www.internationaldelivers.com.

Isuzu N-Series

For 2008, the N-Series overhead cam 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged, intercooled, diesel engine delivers more power and reduced emissions. Horsepower increases to 205 at 2,400 rpm (up from 190) and torque increases to 441 pound-feet at 1850 (up from 387). It has a B10 durability rating of 310,000 miles. The 5.2-liter diesel engine is mated to the new Aisin A465 heavy-duty six-speed automatic with double overdrive. The NPR and NPR HD models are available with the Vortec 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine. For 2008, the Vortec 6.0L engine delivers 325 horsepower -- 25 more than the previous version -- and 360 pound-feet of torque. These models are mated to the Hydra-Matic 4L80 four-speed automatic with lockup torque converter and overdrive.

For more: www.isuzucv.com.

Kenworth K260

The new 26,000-pound GVWR Kenworth K260 will initially be launched with a PACCAR 5.9-liter engine rated at 220 horsepower with maximum torque of 600 pound-feet. The Kenworth K260 is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, air or mechanical rear suspension, and front and rear air disc brakes. The 63.2-inch BBC (front bumper to back of the cab) has plenty of room for a large van body and provides a 55-degree wheel cut for excellent maneuverability. Available wheelbases are 189 inches and 210 inches. The spacious wide cab easily accommodates up to three people with a driver air-suspended seat and two-person bench seat. The dash includes a master display information module with data on fuel consumption, service inspections, oil level and trip information.

Fore more: www.kenworth.com.

Mack Pinnacle DayCab

The Mack Pinnacle DayCab features the MackPower engine series that delivers plenty of horsepower plus great low-end torque. The MP7 has a horsepower range from 325 to 405 and the MP8 provides 415 horsepower to 485 horsepower. The MP7 features 30,000-mile oil drain intervals. The Mack Pinnacle is equipped with a Vehicle Management and Control System or V-MAC IV. In addition to more than 100 programmable features, V-MAC IV adds several new items, including ABS-based tamper detection, integrated

starter protection and programmable daytime running light overrides. V-MAC IV electronics comes with DataMax, an advanced trip recorder that captures vehicle trip histories, duty cycle information or scheduled maintenance intervals.

For more: www.macktrucks.com.

Mitsubishi Fuso FE Model

For nursery and professional landscaping operations, the new Mitsubishi Fuso FE125 cabover offers maximum bed length per inch of wheelbase, allowing many operators to eliminate the need for a trailer and its hassles. It’s equipped with a GVWR of 12,500 pounds. Mitsubishi Fuso also offers its FG140 4-wheel-drive cabover model and its FE145 Crew Cab, which features an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission, 391 pound-feet of torque, 175 horsepower, plus ample room for a crew of seven.

For more: www.mitfuso.com.

Sterling 360

With a gross vehicle weight rating of 12,500 pounds, the new class 3 Sterling 360 is the lightest product in Sterling’s full range of class3-8 trucks. The class 3 features an On-Board Diagnostics system, which provides a universal inspection and diagnosis method to be sure the vehicle is performing correctly and to EPA emissions standards. The Sterling 360’s chassis was lowered 2 inches, making it easier for operators to load and unload the vehicle. All Sterling 360s now come with cruise control standard. The improved electronic engine management system allows the operator to not only use the cruise control to set engine speed, but also to limit top speed and accelerate the engine during stationary power take-off applications.

For more: www.betterallaroundtruck.com.