GREENSBORO, NC (Oct. 11, 2017) – Mack Trucks highlighted the newly introduced Mack Anthem™ during 2017 Tank Truck Week Oct. 10-12 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Combining efficiency- and productivity-boosting enhancements with weight-conscious options, the newly introduced Mack Anthem features an all-new exterior design with optimized aerodynamics to help improve fuel efficiency and new driving and sleeping environments to increase driver comfort and productivity.
The Mack Anthem is available in several configurations, including a Day Cab, an all-new 48-inch Flat Top Sleeper, and an all-new 70-inch Stand-Up Sleeper.
“Bulk-haul customers require a unique set of specs for their applications,” said Stu Russoli, Mack highway product manager. “They need performance and efficiency to deliver their loads, plus all-day comfort to keep their drivers fresh. The Anthem delivers on all of these, while also offering options to further improve productivity.”
The Mack 6x2 Liftable Pusher Axle is available on Mack Anthem models, which monitors trailer weight and adjusts the truck’s driveline configuration to boost fuel efficiency without impacting performance. The system utilizes sensors in the rear suspension to determine payload and either lift or lower the foremost rear axle.
When an empty load is detected, the axle lifts, allowing the tractor to operate as a 4x2 for less drag, increasing fuel efficiency from 3 to 5 percent. Another benefit is increased tire life by up to 20 percent, which helps lower maintenance costs. For full loads, the same axle is lowered to provide additional stability and distribution of the trailer’s weight. The 6x2 Liftable Pusher Axle saves up to 400 pounds of weight compared to a typical 6x4 configuration.
Mack’s 6x2 Liftable Pusher Axle also includes an Automatic Standby Mode that eliminates the need for the driver to manually push buttons to initiate standby mode. Mack added rear air disc brakes as an option to its 6X2 liftable pusher offer.
Mack Anthem models are available with Mack’s 13-liter MP®8 engine, which provides up to 505 horsepower and 1,860 lb.-ft. of torque. Weight-conscious customers can spec the 11-liter Mack MP7 engine to save approximately 400 pounds without compromising on power.
“The GHG2017 Mack MP7 engine is rated up to 425 horsepower and 1,560 lb.-ft. of torque,” said Russoli. “That’s 13-liter power with the fuel efficiency and weight benefits of an 11-liter engine, a perfect combination for bulk-haul applications.”
The 12-speed Mack mDRIVE™ automated manual transmission is standard on Anthem models. The mDRIVE, which is fully integrated with Mack MP engines, uses a number of sensors to measure grade, load, speed and other variables to maximize performance and fuel efficiency by automatically selecting the best gear for conditions.
The 13-speed Mack mDRIVE HD is also available as an option and provides and additional creeper gear for improved startability while maintaining highway fuel efficiency.
All Mack mDRIVE AMTs are available with Easy Shift, a shift program that revises the mDRIVE’s shift strategy to reduce load shifting through smoother launches and less aggressive shifting.
Mack Load Logic is also available for mDRIVE-equipped diminishing-load applications to help improve performance and efficiency. Load Logic integrates an advanced sensor in the rear suspension with the Mack mDRIVE AMT. The mDRIVE operates as a direct drive transmission whenever a full payload is detected, locking out 12th gear for increased performance and pulling power. When an empty trailer is detected, the transmission switches to overdrive, enabling 12th gear to lower cruise RPMs and maximize fuel efficiency.
Load Logic must be spec’d in conjunction with Mack’s efficiency-focused Super Econodyne® package and provides up to an additional 1 percent improvement in fuel efficiency on top of Super Econodyne’s up to 4 percent improvement.
The all-new Mack Anthem™ combines efficiency- and productivity-boosting enhancements with weight-conscious options to deliver the right combination for tanker and bulk-haul customers.
Volvo Trucks North America debuted at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show its new interiors for the Volvo VHD series, bringing exceptional driver comfort and productivity features to its vocational lineup. Volvo VHD 300 daycab and VHD 400 regional sleeper model interiors feature LED lighting, and extensive connectivity points to support a driver’s daily work. Extensive new seating choices, optimized ergonomics and driver convenience features make the VHD series the most comfortable, driver-centric vocational truck Volvo has offered North America.
“The new interiors for the VHD series make hard work even easier,” said Wade Long, director of product marketing, Volvo Trucks North America. “Design of the VHD’s new interiors was guided by feedback from nearly 2,000 professional drivers, and we've channeled that information to deliver the comfort and convenience features drivers want, and fleets seek to help improve driver retention.”
Productivity is directly affected by driver comfort, which is why the new Volvo VHD features an all-new dashboard which puts often-used controls within the driver’s reach. Centered in the gauge cluster is a configurable, five-inch color driver information display that provides trip and diagnostic data. The driver information display is customizable, ensuring that critical information is always available to the driver at a quick glance. A dash-top tray features 12-volt power and USB connectivity to keep devices fully powered.
The Volvo VHD will now be equipped with Volvo’s smart steering wheel, putting controls for nearly all of the driver interface functions right at a driver’s fingertips. The smart steering wheel is attached to Volvo’s Perfect Position air-assisted, fully adjustable steering column, which enables drivers not only to tilt and telescope the steering column, but also tilt the steering wheel relative to the steering column. This lets drivers of all statures find the perfect steering wheel position and easily view the driver information display. All-LED interior lighting reduces power consumption and provides softer lighting.
“Our new VHD interiors incorporate the best, most sought after features of our renown highway trucks and have been aligned with drivers’ needs for tough, off-road work environments,” said John Felder, Volvo Trucks North America product marketing manager - vocational. “The results speak for themselves: our new VHD interiors provide the most comfortable, driver-friendly environment we've ever offered for the vocational market.”
An optional infotainment system is available, featuring a seven-inch color touchscreen, navigation and an exterior back-up camera. A premium audio system is integrated with the infotainment system, which also features Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay for the ultimate in connectivity.
A wide variety of seating options are available on the new Volvo VHD series. An increase in seat travel fore and aft, as well as up and down, improves driving ergonomics. Premium features like seat heating and ventilation are also available. Drivers can also benefit from Volvo’s refrigerated passenger seat option, providing a cool place to keep food and beverages cold while out on the job.
Volvo Trucks North America debuted its new interior for the Volvo VHD vocational model, built for driver comfort and productivity, at the 2017 North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta.
Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,200 dealers and workshops in more than 125 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 15 countries across the globe. In 2015 more than 113,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, and drive systems for marine and industrial applications. The Group also provides solutions for financing and service. Volvo's work is based on the core values quality, safety and environmental care.
The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2015, the Volvo Group's sales amounted to about $37 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. For more information, please visit www.volvogroup.com or www.volvogroup.mobi if you are using your mobile phone.