BTS: Mack reveals short BBC Super-Liner concept

Mack Trucks Australia is developing a bonneted truck with sleeper for Australia's 26-metre, 34-pallet B-double linehaul sector, with the company previewing a concept Mack Super-Liner with a short BBC (bumper to back of cab) measurement.

While specifics at this early stage are limited, Mack previewed its new concept (below) at the Brisbane Truck Show alongside a split-cab version of the new Mack Anthem.

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Australia's tight heavy-vehicle dimensions legislation means 34-pallet B-double work is usually the preserve of cab-over trucks, but Mack is hoping to tackle the niche head-on.

Speaking at a Volvo Group Australia media event immediately before the opening of the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show, Mack Trucks Australia Vice President Dean Bestwick said the concept was crucial to Mack expanding its footprint in this country.

"This is something that we [Mack Trucks Australia] all know that we need," he said.

"With our stringent 26-metre laws that we have here in Australia, to get a 34-pallet B-double combination is paramount to secure business into that linehaul segment.

"In the east coast linehaul segment from Brisbane all the way through to Melbourne, this is critical to our path moving forward."

The truck will feature the usual array of Volvo Group technology, including Mack's MP10 engine and mDRIVE automated manual transmission.

While Mack Trucks Australia has given no indication of when a production version of the truck might appear, Mr Bestwick did say its introduction would come after 2020 – the year in which Mack's Anthem will hit Australian roads.

"We look forward to our next evolution of our short BBC Super-Liner," said Bestwick.