Western Star unveils 5700XE

All-new Western Star aero model comes bristling with technical innovations and a wind-cheating design to deliver "extreme efficiency"

Western Star has revealed its new 5700XE in the United States, claiming the aerodynamic prime mover is the world's first "extreme efficiency truck".

Unveiled overnight via Western Star's US website, the model features a raft of clever features to complement its tough looks, and will be available with a choice of Detroit Diesel engines.

Western Star is certainly making some bold claims for the truck in its marketing material. "We didn't overlook a single detail along the way, combining Western Star's extreme heritage with Daimler's advanced engineering to improve efficiency, aerodynamics and profitability so significantly, it will be sending everyone back to the drawing board," states a Western Star brochure for the new model.

The aggressive styling incorporates numerous features to enhance the truck's aerodynamic efficiency, including the integrated sun visor, the three-piece halogen headlight assemblies, an under-bumper valance, swept cab fairings and optional chassis side fairings. The latter alone are said to reduce drag by up to six per cent.

American customers can choose from Detroit's DD13 (350-470hp), DD15 (455-505hp) or DD16 (475-600hp) engines, coupled to Detroit's DT12 transmission – a 12-speed automated manual transmission available in direct or over-drive top-gear configurations – and Detroit axles.

Western Star is also offering an integrated Detroit Powertrain package comprising the down-sped DD15 with the DT12 transmission and specific rear axle ratios, providing what the manufacturer describes as "the industry's most efficient powertrain package". The package sees the DD15 produce claimed outputs of 400hp at 1625rpm and 1750lb-ft at 1075rpm.

The 5700XE also features a raft of high-tech safety features, including a Lane Departure Warning system, Adaptive Cruise Control (to maintain a set distance between the truck and any vehicle it's following), WABCO OnGuard Collision Mitigation System (a radar system that warns the driver of stationary objects and applies up to 50 per cent of the truck's braking power to avoid an impending collision), anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stability Control, Roll Stability Control, and Intelligent Load Monitoring (electronically controlled air suspension that maintains ride height between the axle and chassis as road and load conditions change).

Predictive Cruise Control, meanwhile, regulates speed and braking in relation to the surrounding topography to deliver addition fuel savings.

The all-steel cab is complemented by a range of sleeper options, while the 5700XE will also be produced in Low Roof, High Roof Stratosphere and Ultra High Roof Stratosphere variants.

The General Manager of Western Star, Michael Jackson, said the 5700XE was a truly unique offering.

"XE – which stands for extreme efficiency – summarises exactly what this new truck is all about," he said.

"By blending legendary Western Star ruggedness together with aerodynamic innovations, and the most fuel efficient powertrain available, we have built a powerful solution that is the best of both worlds – and unlike anything else on the road today."

Manufactured at Daimler Trucks North America's production facility at Cleveland in North Carolina, Western Star has said the 5700XE will enter production in 2015.

Local Western Star importer Penske Commercial Vehicles has said it has no plans at this stage to bring the 5700XE to Australia.

For more information on Western Star's 5700XE visit www.allnew5700.com/. For more information on Western Star's Australian products visit www.westernstar.com.au.

Western Star unveils 5700XE

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