Throughout the last century, more than 1.3 million trucks have hauled goods across the United States and Canada roadways with the Kenworth badge on the grill. In 2023, Kenworth begins a year-long celebration, commemorating its 100th anniversary and contributions to the transportation industry.
Kenworth Founders Harry W. Kent (top) and Edgar K. Worthington
That first year, the small Seattle truck manufacturer produced 78 gasoline-powered trucks. Since then, Kenworth has produced more than a million Class 5 to Class 8 models, and super heavy duty trucks, like the C500 6×6 with its gross combination weight rating of 1 million pounds. Kenworth is also now producing medium and heavy duty battery electric vehicles.
1920s Kenworth Plant
“Kenworth’s storied history over the past 100 years provides much to be proud about. From being the first U.S. truck manufacturer to offer a diesel engine as standard equipment in 1933 to selling Kenworth trucks with an electric powertrain today, it’s been quite a journey,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president.
“We’re also especially proud of our leadership in truck aerodynamics with the Kenworth T600 introduction in 1985. That model began the revolution in fuel-efficient trucks and its evolution has tremendously advanced in the new flagship T680 that sets industry standard today in truck aerodynamics,” said Baney.
Kenworth T600A
Kenworth’s success and staying power in a competitive business can be traced back to a philosophy established early in the firm’s history. The goal was to build the right Kenworth truck for each customer’s application to get the job done and build that truck to last. That philosophy, which continues to be true to this day, resulted in Kenworth establishing a solid reputation for its quality, innovative and durable trucks driven by state-of-the-art technology.
“Kenworth has remained true to its core values since its founding,” said Baney. “We’ve achieved many amazing accomplishments in our first 100 years. But there’s more work to be done at Kenworth as we drive the next 100 years and continue our mission of producing The World’s Best trucks.”
Kenworth Truck Company, founded in 1923, is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Throughout 2023, Kenworth is celebrating its historic 100th anniversary. To learn more about the 100th anniversary celebration visit www.Kenworth100.com. Kenworth is “Driving the Next 100 Years.” Kenworth’s Internet home page is at http://www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company
Kenworth has introduced the T680 Signature Edition as part of the Kenworth 100th anniversary celebration during 2023.
The new offering is available with Kenworth’s 76-inch mid- and high-roof sleeper configurations. The Signature Edition Diamond VIT features a black interior with legacy red stitching accents throughout the cab and sleeper. The package also includes a Kenworth 100 branded GT703 seat with red accents special brushed platinum dash and door trim, and Kenworth 100 logo stitched into the sleeper back wall.
The Kenworth T680 Signature Edition exterior features a black onyx grille and side air intake, and prominent Kenworth 100 badges on the sleeper. An optional Kenworth 100 exhaust shield cutout and black anodized grille mesh are also available on mid-roof configurations. Also optional are new Alcoa stylized wheels with unique spoke patterns in Dura-Bright® and Dura-Black™ finishes.
Kenworth is also introducing four signature paint colors available on new Kenworth Class 8 and medium duty trucks. The new colors are Century Platinum, Century Black Red, Century Red and Century Gold.
“Today’s T680 is our most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient truck to date and carries on the legacy of the Kenworth T600 – the industry’s first truly aerodynamic model introduced in 1985. This Kenworth T680 Signature Edition is an excellent choice for both owner operators and for fleets seeking an outstanding reward truck for its top drivers,” said Jim Walenczak, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing.
The Kenworth T680 Signature Edition is available for order now. Visit your Kenworth dealer for more details. The production of the special edition is limited to Kenworth’s 2023 100th anniversary year.
Kenworth Truck Company, founded in 1923, is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Throughout 2023, Kenworth is celebrating its historic 100th anniversary. To learn more about the 100th anniversary celebration visit http://www.Kenworth100.com. Kenworth is “Driving the Next 100 Years.” Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.
Kenworth is celebrating its centennial throughout 2023. To commemorate this major historic milestone, today Kenworth introduced its 100th anniversary Kenworth W900 Limited Edition.“The Kenworth W900 is an all-time classic and iconic truck in the industry that is still admired on the road and at truck shows,” said Jim Walenczak, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “As a long-time staple of Kenworth’s history, there is no better way to kick off our year-long 100th anniversary celebration than by launching this Kenworth W900 Limited Edition.”
Kenworth W900 Limited Edition The special model is available in three configurations – 86-inch Studio Sleeper, 72-inch Flat Top and Extended Day Cab. The all-black Limited Edition Diamond VIT has 100th anniversary. Other interior features include a special edition steering wheel, brushed platinum dash and door trim, and Kenworth 100 logos throughout on the doors and thresholds. A Kenworth 100 sofa bed is standard with the 86-inch Studio Sleeper.
Exterior elements include Kenworth 100 sleeper badges. A Kenworth 100 exhaust shield cutout and sun visor are optional. A special optional centennial 3-color paint design brings a classic, impactful look to the W900, and is only available with the 86-inch Studio Sleeper and 72-inch Flat Top.
Kenworth is also introducing four signature paint colors available on new Kenworth Class 8 and medium duty trucks. The new colors are Century Platinum, Century Black Red, Century Red and Century Gold.
“The W900 is a special truck and this Limited Edition is a great way to celebrate 100 years of Kenworth,” said Walenczak. “Only 900 of these trucks will be produced, so they will definitely become a showcase vehicle for owners who want a piece of Kenworth history.”
Each Kenworth W900 Limited Edition will be serialized – for example, 001 through 900 – in order of build date and sequence with a special Limited Edition badge on the glovebox. The units are limited to 2023 production which began this week.
To learn more about all the available specifications included in the Kenworth W900 Limited Edition visit your local Kenworth dealer.
Kenworth Truck Company, founded in 1923, is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Throughout 2023, Kenworth is celebrating its historic 100th anniversary. To learn more about the 100th anniversary celebration visit http://www.Kenworth100.com. Kenworth is “Driving the Next 100 Years.” Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.
With social media of all types these days, it means two things. Either you can get your own channels out to the rest of world for all to see. Then the other side of the coin means that, what ever your into you can find a channel somewhere so you can watch, look at or read about what ever you fancy. I come and go through phases of American trucks and at the moment I am firmly in a deep trough of American metal. I know, I know, terrible build quality, awful ride, blah, blah, blah. But looks wise, well……
In the last couple of years, I’ve come to know about Fleenor Brothers from Missouri. A number of their drivers are on Instagram as well as a Fleenor Brothers company profile, and once you follow one of them, it makes it easier to find more. For those not on Instagram, I have to say I would recommend it. It’s photos, without the drama and sob stories of Facebook! Anyhoo, Fleenor Brothers are a small firm, running a handful of customs trucks on all types of work and seem to cover all 48 states but I may be wrong. The trucks are all named and are all drop dead gorgeous. Just look at “Ron Burgundy” in the picture below. So much is my love of this little fleet, that I have tried to buy their calendar for the last couple of Decembers. I have asked a couple of times if they will ship to the UK without much luck, so imagine my delight when this time around, the answer was yes. Calendar ordered along with a T-shirt (Mrs Blog is over the moon about the T-shirt!), then the wait and daily tracking to see where my package was. I have to say, today the package arrived and the calendar shots are just awesome, February will be a very enjoyable month, shame it’s the shortest month of the year.
Thank you to Fleenor Brothers for shipping the calendar to the UK and I look forward to seeing where your rigs get to this year. Keep the photos coming drivers!!
Peterbilt Motors Company announced today the launch of the limited-release Model 389X. The 389X celebrates the iconic status of the Model 389 with a new, distinctive special edition.
The 389X embodies the heritage of the Model 389 with its bold styling and bright exterior features. The 389X includes a highly polished hood crown surrounding a classic-style, louvered grille sheet inspired by the first 1939 Peterbilt. The hood features a brightly polished centerline trim, exclusive side-hood chrome accents and polished hood fenders. Other bright features include cowl skirts, battery box, fuel tanks, sunvisor, bumper and large, 7″ chrome exhaust stacks. The 389X also includes an elegant and distinguished exterior lighting package, with LED amber color light strips that provide stunning lighting in the air cleaners and under the rocker panels. In addition, the truck features 389X exterior badging on the mud flaps as well as on the cab or sleeper.
The interior of the 389X is as bold as the exterior. The dash panels feature a new Black Pearl burl woodgrain. Special black-finish trim accents can be found throughout the cab and sleeper. Additional special features include bright chrome grab handles, a 389X emblem on the shifter plate, embroidered 389X badging on the headrests and badging on the sleeper backwall. Each 389X includes a serialized, chrome dash plate with the production number of the truck to commemorate each special edition vehicle, as well as a kit of custom 389X merchandise.
389X389X389X389X389X389X389X389X
“The new 389X is superior in every detail. From its classic design and high-quality craftsmanship to its exclusive chrome elements and details both inside and out, the 389X will quickly become the most desirable truck on the road,” said Robert Woodall, assistant general manager of sales and marketing. “I look forward to seeing this great truck and its proud owners on road across North America very soon.”
The Model 389X can be ordered as a day cab or in a 72″ or 78″ Sleeper configuration. The 389X production will be limited to only 1,389 trucks and is available for order now through Peterbilt dealerships.
What a legend of a truck and what a great looking model! This is a release from IXO Models in 1:43 scale. I’m sure you all know the film, but the truck is of course the one and only Rubber Duck Mack R Series. What an iconic truck, so I jumped at the chance to get my hands on one.
Now if like me you’d like one, the IXO contact in the UK is a very helpful man by the name of Andy Mills and can be found in various model groups and of course on the Convoy film group. You better be quick, for £42 delivered to a UK address, Andy will post worldwide, they are selling fast as you would imagine! I’ll post a couple of photos of the actual model when it arrives.
While we are at it, feel free to post your favourite Convoy film quotes!!
Sadly I found this release in my junk mail box from way back on the 1st of June so it’s not really new news, but I do like a bit of American news. As I read it the 567 is the fleet motor of the Peterbilt range, now available with the huge (by European standards) Ultraloft sleeper.
The workhorse of the Peterbilt product lineup, the Model 567 can be spec’d for virtually any application, from vocational to on-highway and regional haul configurations. With the addition of the UltraLoft sleeper, the Model 567 now offers a more spacious, integral sleeper option for customers that enjoy its traditional signature pod-mounted headlamps, durable Metton® hood and stainless steel grille.
By optimizing the space available, the UltraLoft sleeper includes industry-leading storage and comfort, including 8 feet of headroom and 70 cubic feet of overall storage. The UltraLoft also gives drivers the largest upper and lower bunk mattresses, best-in-class headroom in both bunks and creature comforts of home with space to accommodate the industry’s largest microwave and enough room to fit a 32-inch flat screen TV.
Interior updates to the Model 567 are highlighted by the class leading 15” Digital Display with a fully customizable user interface (UI) that delivers easy-to read information and full PTO integration so operators can fine-tune the Digital Display information to suit their individual preferences, additional new driver comforts found inside including more cabin storage, two permanent cup holders and options for 12V or USB charging ports.
The Model 567 is available with the latest advanced driver assistance systems fully integrated into the Digital Display, including lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with auto resume, speed sign recognition, side objection detection, safety direct integration, multi-lane emergency braking and highway departure detection.
“The launch of the Model 567 UltraLoft is another example of Peterbilt’s drive to continually innovate our product line to deliver industry leading comfort and performance for our customers and truck drivers alike,” said Jason Skoog Peterbilt, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president. “There is no question that 2021 has been the most exciting year for Peterbilt and our customers, with more new product hitting the road than ever before.”
Alright I’m a little behind on this one, but I am a sucker for a big American and I’ve always favoured a Pete’ over a KWhopper. I am on the Peterbilt mailing list, so here is a little bit of not so new news;
Peterbilt Motors Company announced a new era of class today with the launch of the bold and aerodynamic on-highway flagship, the new Model 579. Thoroughly redesigned, this major evolution of the Model 579 delivers outstanding improvements in Aerodynamics, Efficiency, Comfort, Technology and Uptime.
Peterbilt designers and engineers have delivered the most technologically advanced truck Peterbilt has ever built. The new 579 is also the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient Peterbilt thanks to the new exterior design featuring a new sloped hood and optimized aero components, as well as the new 2021 PACCAR MX-13 and MX-11 engines and PACCAR transmission. Improved comfort will have drivers feeling right at home on the road with a 10% quieter cab and sleeper, additional storage, a new smart steering wheel and an improved Bluetooth microphone. Highlighting the New 579s innovative technologies is a class-leading 15” Digital Dash Display, delivering all the information drivers need in a clean, intuitive interface. In addition, the new 579 features Advanced Driver Assistance Systems providing drivers the latest safety technologies in the form of collision mitigation, lane departure warning and the new lane keeping assist (LKA), among others. Uptime is Peterbilt’s driving force. Peterbilt worked with over 50 of our customers to understand their unique operations and needs, incorporating their input into the design of the new 579. Validation units have already accumulated 1.5 million real world miles, and combined with the durability testing done at the PACCAR Technical Center, the new 579 is the most reliable truck ever designed by Peterbilt.
“The launch of the new Model 579 is a huge moment for Peterbilt and our customers. This new product is the result of five years of relentless focus on increasing fuel economy, taking driver comfort to new heights, and maximizing uptime. This new truck delivers the next level of performance for our customers and continues Peterbilt’s legacy of being the ‘Class’ of the industry,” said Jason Skoog, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president. The new Model 579 is available for order starting today (03/02/2021) in a day cab configuration, integral 80” UltraLoft sleeper and a variety of other sleeper sizes.
Developed over a five-year span, Peterbilt set out to perfect the look and aerodynamic shape of the new 579. Over 1,000 hours of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and over 7.8 million CPU processing hours were spent evaluating the exterior design of the new 579. This research resulted in an enhanced aerodynamic profile and a 7% improvement in fuel economy. Achieving this feat meant no stone was left unturned.
Key exterior features to the new 579 include a redesigned stronger Metton® hood that is narrower and more resistant to damage. This is topped off with Peterbilt’s iconic aerodynamic “bird” ornament, a bright stainless steel grille and improved Halogen or optional LED headlights. A new 3-piece bumper integrates the forward radar cover for collision mitigation, with a larger aerodynamic air dam, and provides both protection against damage and lower replacement costs. Improvements to the aero mirrors, fairings, side skirts and closeouts help improve the overall aerodynamic shape with the revised A-pillar vane redirecting airflow around the windshield reducing friction and helping deliver a 10% noise reduction in the cabin. Peterbilt designers infused the new 579 with a look that is both bold and elegant. Already the best in the industry, the interior of the new 579 features soft-touch materials with a fit and finish that delivers an outstanding driver experience. The 579 UltraLoft with an integral sleeper provides 70 cubic feet of space, offering more storage than any comparable integral sleeper. Drivers will feel right at home with plenty of headroom from the eight-foot high ceiling. The cabin has room for small appliances, including a 1.1 cu ft microwave, a 32” TV, a tall wardrobe closet, multiple power outlets and optional bunkbeds with a clever fold-away ladder. Multiple windows provide plenty of natural light and additional ventilation. At night, interior lighting from dome LED lights and three directional spot/reading lights provide added convenience and safety. New sound abatement technology helps minimize outside noise creating a quieter cabin, both on and off the road. Small additions like a fixed cup holder and the option for multiple USB charging ports in the center console make life on the road more comfortable.
“Beautiful on and off the road, the new Model 579 raises the bar to a whole new level of aerodynamic performance and driver comfort. The boldness of the exterior design combined with the elegance of the interior space set the new 579 apart from the competition,” said Jason Skoog, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president.
The Peterbilt Digital Display fully integrates with electrical and safety systems found on the new 579 including the Bendix Fusion Advanced Driver Assistance System. The state-of-art 15” Digital Display features a fully customizable user interface (UI), delivering an almost endless combination of digital gauges on the main screen at any one time. Operators control the digital UI through one of three different Drive View Zones. Minimized View eliminates everything but the speedometer and tachometer for minimal driver distraction. Basic View represents traditional information found on analog dashes with Air & Oil Pressure, Fuel & DEF level and Water temperature all prominently displayed along with a speedometer and tachometer. The Enhanced View builds upon the previous views displaying the maximum number of gauges from a list of over 30 information sources. The beauty of the Peterbilt Digital Display is that operators can fine-tune the information shown to suit their individual needs through the easy to use controls found on the all-new steering wheel.
Prior to trip departure the Digital Display has the ability to run through a visual Systems Check, inspecting 13 systems and providing a green checkmark with each passed test. Post-trip, a detailed Trip Information screen provides a breakdown of important metrics of the most recent journey.
Peterbilt Motors Company is excited to announce that the Model 579EV is the first zero-emission,battery-electric, Class 8 truck to successfully reach the summit of Pikes Peak.
This significant achievement demonstrates the superior performance of the 579EV and its integrated battery-electric technology. Along with over 110,000 real-world miles on the Peterbilt EV fleet of trucks, this feat further proves that the 579EV is ready for real world, customer operations today. The significant achievement was captured on video and can be seen at https://youtu.be/dJLiFUf1h6w.
Peterbilt tackled the challenge of climbing to the top of Pikes Peak, or “America’s Mountain”, to highlight the 579EV’s excellent power capabilities and drivability, even under extreme road conditions and cold temperatures. The most famous mountain road in the United States, the ascent to Pikes Peak’s summit at 14,115 feet has an average grade of 7% and incorporates 156 turns over the last 12.42 miles.
Over a 3-day period, the 579EV made the journey up Pikes Peak multiple times with ease, each time using the recovered energy from regenerative braking on the descent to recharge the high-density battery packs to repeat each climb with ease.
“The performance of the Model 579EV while navigating to the summit of Pikes Peak was nothing short of amazing. Handling the 156 corners was made easier thanks to the lower center of gravity provided by the battery location on the 579EV,” said, Darryl Oster, Peterbilt assistant chief engineer.
“This is a huge moment for Peterbilt and everyone who has worked countless hours to bring this truck to life. Being the first battery electric powered Class 8 truck to conquer one of the most iconic roads in North America is just the beginning. Peterbilt is leading the charge on commercial vehicle electrification, with three distinctive EV configurations available for customer orders today in a variety of applications,” said Jason Skoog, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president.
www.truckblog.co.uk 