New Western Star launched

Earlier today Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) unveiled the brand new Western Star platform in the United States.

As the official distributor of Western Star Trucks across Australia and New Zealand, Penske says it has worked closely with DTNA over several years throughout the development process of the new trucks and will continue to do so in the lead up to the launch in our local markets.

Penske says the launch includes the toughest, most tested, and most durable Western Star trucks. The new trucks will build on the rugged American heritage of the Western Star brand, with the technologically advanced safety and performance features that today's market demands.

“We are thrilled to see the brand new Western Star platform unveiled today in the United States,” said Randall Seymore, President of Penske Australia & New Zealand.

“Here in Australia and New Zealand, Western Star has amassed a loyal customer base over the decades and we are confident our customers will be just as excited by today’s launch.

“We will be rolling out a testing program next year ensuring the new trucks are a perfect fit for our local conditions and applications.”

A press statement from Western Star in the U.S. stated: “Western Star today introduced the all-new 49X, its next-generation vocational truck built from the ground up to meet the needs of the most demanding applications. Underpinned by a stronger, lighter chassis and equipped with an all-new X-series cab, the 49X delivers maximum versatility in a purpose-built package.”

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The all-new Detroit DT12 Vocational series of transmissions and Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems offer proven innovation for best-in-class safety, improved productivity and maximum uptime, we were told.

“Our dealers, truck equipment manufacturers and, most importantly, our customers, rely on the dependability, reliability and sheer toughness of Western Star trucks,” said David Carson, senior vice president, Vocational segment, Daimler Trucks North America.

“With the 49X, Western Star delivers on our promise of tough, while introducing segment-first safety features, an operator-focused experience and easier upfit solutions that will keep our customers’ businesses running smoothly," he added.

“A vocational truck is a tool for a job,” noted Carson. “We’ve completely rethought the foundation of the 49X to make it easier to upfit, deliver greater durability, return greater payload and improve productivity at the job site.”

The clean-sheet design of the Western Star 49X enables total weight savings of over 150kg in like-for-like spec’ing versus the current Western Star 4900 and that weight savings starts with an all-new vocational frame.

Under the bonnet, the 49X debuts the all-new and work-ready Detroit DT12 Vocational series of automated manual transmissions. Available as either the DT12-V or the DT12-VX and rated up to a GCWR of 150 tonnes, the DT12 Vocational series was validated in over 35 million miles of testing to deliver performance and durability and can be mated to the venerable Detroit DD15 Gen 5 engine or workhorse Detroit DD16 engine.

Both engines come equipped with Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostic services to increase uptime and productivity.

The claimed best-in-class safety in the 49X is enabled thanks to the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems, which features the most advanced collision mitigation system in the vocational market. Detroit Assurance in the 49X offers Side Guard Assist (SGA), Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA5), Tailgate Warning, adaptive cruise control to zero km/h, lane departure warning, video capture, intelligent high-beam and automatic wipers and headlights.

With optional SGA, radar technology detects moving objects and pedestrians on the passenger side of the 49X that may otherwise fall in the driver’s blind spot and alerts them with both audible and visual warnings, providing up to date technology for safety on the jobsite or on the way there.

However, the 49X won’t be coming here just yet: “We will continue to support our current Western Star truck portfolio which has been proven to thrive in our tough and unique conditions, and Penske is committed to continuing to provide our customers with the service excellence they have come to expect,” said Randall Seymore.

“Our launch plans for the new trucks will be revealed in due course, however we expect to see the trucks enter our local markets in late 2022 or early 2023,” he concluded.