Kenworth rolls out range of options for T680, T880

NASHVILLE. New options for Kenworth’s T680 and T880 models—ranging from sleepers to fairings, from advanced safety systems to battery monitoring to DEF tank locations—are among the products the company is touting at the Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition here this week.

The new Kenworth 40-inch sleeper will enter production next week.

“The 40-inch sleeper offers drivers organizational features to make the space as efficient as possible for those who occasionally stay overnight,” said Jason Skoog, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “The layout provides excellent flexibility and choice in meeting the operational needs of truck fleets and operators. In addition, it’s 260 pounds lighter than the Kenworth 52-inch regional sleeper offering important weight savings for additional payload.”

Compared to the Kenworth 38-inch AeroCab sleeper, the 40-inch sleeper’s 22 cubic feet of storage space is greater, and its roof is 6 inches lower at 87 inches, making the 40-inch sleeper the ideal height for vocational customer requirements. 

Also coming in March, Kenworth is making the Bendix Wingman Fusion driver assistance system available for the T680 and T880. Bendix Wingman Fusion integrates and advances a suite of Bendix safety technologies – radar, camera, the vehicle’s brake system, and SafetyDirect by Bendix CVS – into a comprehensive driver assistance system.

Built on the Bendix, ESP full stability program, Wingman Fusion offers enhanced collision mitigation, lane departure warning, stationary vehicle braking, and over-speed alert and action. This combination typically enables the system to assess a situation faster and react earlier, alerting the driver and decreasing the vehicle’s speed by up to twice as much, while also reducing instances of false alerts and false interventions, according to Kenworth.

“The system’s combination of technologies provides our customers with a collision avoidance system to help reduce the chances of drivers experiencing false alerts or activations,” Skoog said. “The Wingman Fusion also provides fleets opportunities to better understand what’s happening out there on the road and reduce overspeeding incidents.”

And Kenworth is expanding its Engine Auto Start and Stop monitoring system capability. In addition to detecting when batteries get to a critical level, the system can now detect when engine oil temperature dips to a point where it could cause fuel gelling.

Initially introduced last fall as an option for its on-highway flagship Kenworth T680 in sleeper configurations, Kenworth has added the optional Engine Auto Start and Stop for its vocational flagship Kenworth T880 with sleepers. In addition, Kenworth has added the engine monitoring system to include Kenworth T680 and T880 day cabs.

“Our system is proactive. Instead of shutting down battery draws, or letting the engine oil temperature get to a state of no return, Auto Start and Stop automatically starts the main engine to keep all systems going. Once at a designated level of charge or oil temperature, the engine shuts down,” Skoog said. “This is a great feature, especially for those running in climates where fuel gelling may be an issue,” continued Skoog. “This will help ensure trucks are ready to roll regardless of winter conditions.”

In other product updates:

• Kenworth will offer a new clear back-of-cab, DEF tank configuration option for the T680 and T880. The option is designed to maximize fuel capacity by removing the DEF tank from the frame rail and mounting it above the fuel tank and under the cab. When combined with an in-cab battery box, right-hand under-cab aftertreatment and left-hand under-cab fuel tank, this new option can provide clear back of cab to assist in body installations.
• The Kenworth Aero Advantage Fairing is now available for order with the T680 Advantage and the 76-inch high- and mid-roof sleepers. The new fairing flares out to better direct airflow around the rear wheels and allows for better packaging. The new design also provides for an optional under-sleeper fuel fill, which enables fuel tanks to be moved forward while reducing trailer gap and wheelbase to further enhance aerodynamics. With that added room, customers who want to install their own APUs can do so behind the optimized aero fairing.
• The new PACCAR MX-11 engine had had “an excellent launch” is sold out through May, Skoog reported. With a B10 life of 1 million miles, the MX-11 is 400 pounds lighter and provides a 2% fuel economy benefit over the 13-liter engine. Offered for the Kenworth T880, T680, T800 with FEPTO, and W900S, the PACCAR MX-11 is designed to produce up to 430 hp and 1,550 lb-ft of torque and is available with a full array of manual, automated manual and automatic transmissions.