Geoff Middleton•10 Feb 2017
REVIEW
Kenworth T610: Review
We put Kenworth’s ‘best truck yet’ through its paces at Mt Cotton Proving GroundKenworth certainly made a big fuss when it launched the T610 in December last year. Andy why shouldn’t they? It’s the first new cab in three decades and the truck that Kenworth bills as "Our Best Truck Yet".
The company spent over $20 million on the truck and the project took 100,000 hours to design and ten million kilometres of Aussie testing.
The big focus was on the cab which is designed specifically for the Australian environment and for our tight regulations.
Power ratings range from 485hp and 1850 lb/ft up to 600hp and 2050 lb/ft of torque, making it suitable for a wide range of transport applications.
The T610 is suitable for many applications, including maximum payload 26-metre B-Double and road train configurations. The T610SAR with its set-forward front axle makes it an ideal workhorse for 19-metre B-Double, or tipper and dog applications.
The T610 is powered by the Cummins X15 Euro V engine with Advanced Dynamic Efficient Powertrain (ADEPT) technology, a suite of electronic features that interact with Eaton automated manual transmissions.
Eaton RoadRanger Manual transmissions with a range of torque ratings in 10, 13 and 18 speed variants are also available.
ON THE ROAD
Climbing aboard the T610 is a breeze given that the new trucks have the widest-opening doors of any Aussie-built Kenworth.
Once seated, the first thing to note is the new dash which itself took two years to develop, we’re told. Everything is within easy reach of the driver without having to lean or even stretch unduly.
Kenworth has built a 2.1m wide cab which is almost 300mm wider than the outgoing cab of the T409, with the engineers pushing the cab 300mm forward over the engine to meet our length laws.
The cab, which is almost entirely made of aluminium, is available as a day cab or with an 860mm (34 inch) sleeper cab.
A lot of work has gone into improving vision for the driver, and the view from the driver’s perch is great. The A pillars are thin and the broad expanse of the wider windscreen provides a terrific view of the road ahead. Simiarly, the mirrors provide an extensive view astern.
Smaller touches like a dead pedal for drivers of the auto versions and 30 per cent larger foot-well below the knees, really improve driver comfort.
Once going, one of the things that I noticed was the steering. The T610 not only handles and tracks well, but the steering is very direct without the usual vagueness you get from a big truck. I found it really puts the driver in command of the vehicle and promotes a feeling of confidence.
The Ultrashift Plus auto shifts smoothly up and down putting the 600hp and 2800Nm of torque to the ground effectively and hauling the 40-odd tonnes we had on the back with ease.
Of course, the T610 is also available with the standard Eaton RTLO 16918B manual 18 speed gearbox.
Braking was another strong point with the engine brake and service brakes doing to sterling job of pulling the big Kenworths up.
Kenworth has spent a lot of time on the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in these new trucks and it certainly showed on test day. Outside the temperature was up around 38 degrees but the air conditioning in the cabins weren’t fazed a bit. We were told during testing, the trucks and the research and development guys spent a fair bit of time around Bourke testing the air-cond systems and making sure they were up to the tasks.
One of the trucks we drove on test had the optional Fusion system fitted which added the electronic stability program (ESP), Trailer response management (TRM), Active Cruise braking with collision mitigation (ACB) and lane departure warning to the standard electronics package which offers ABS, traction control and drag torque control.
One thing I did question was the big T-Bar shifter for the auto versions. Most auto trucks these days have gone to dash-mounted shifters and in the case of the T610, this would free up yet more room in the cab which could be used to give easier access to the sleep more standing room for the driver.
Overall, the new Kenworth T610 thoroughly deserves the Best Truck Ever tag from its makers at PACCAR. It is strong, powerful and undeniably comfortable truck that would be a very easy environment to live with for the long-haul jobs it’s designed for.
The new cab is a beauty and the 860mm (34 inch) sleeper is big enough for even the most well-fed Aussie truck drivers. A thoroughly enjoyable truck.
Specifications:
Engine: Cummins X15 Euro V
Power 485hp to 600hp
Torque: 1650 lb/ft to 2050 lb/ft
Transmission Manual Std: Eaton RTLO 16918B
Transmission Automated Std: Ultrashift Plus FO-16E318B-MXP
Front Axle Std: Dana E-1462l
Rear Axle Std: Dana DSH40P
Rear Suspension: Kenworth Airglide 400
Brakes: Drum (Std) Disc (Opt)
Wheels: Steel disc 10-stud
Fuel tanks: Range of packages available
Cabs: Day or 860mm sleeper
Tags
Kenworth
Review
Written byGeoff Middleton
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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