Western Star X-Series for comfort and quality

The new Western Star X-Series range of trucks continues the company’s reputation for delivering superior comfort and legendary durability.

Building a tough, reliable truck doesn’t mean much if drivers aren’t at ease behind the wheel. Consequently, the Western Star X-Series was given premium treatment to take cabin life to a new benchmark, with an array of thoughtful comfort features that make each day behind the wheel that bit better.

Western Star made driver safety the cornerstone of its new X-Series model line-up, and a major facet of that aspect includes providing a comfortable space to relax, sleep and prepare for the day ahead. Because Western Star believes that if drivers are going to work as hard as they’re expected to, then they deserve to do it in style and comfort – and because if the truck’s right, going the extra mile shouldn’t spell extra effort.

“The all-new X-Series delivers a supremely quiet cab environment, an ergonomic and intuitive driving environment, super ingress and egress for maximum safety, and exceptional sleeper options,” said Kurt Dein (below), head of Western Star Trucks, Penske Australia. “We’re confident that the overall X-Series package can’t be beat.”

The Western Star X-Series offers superior comfort, with a highly ergonomic and intuitive driving environment that includes a luxurious leather interior and seating options. An intuitive full-width digital dash is also on offer, as well as a high-resolution digital display and a multi-function steering wheel enabling drivers to set the adaptive cruise control, adjust the vehicle following distance, change radio stations and take phone calls or access information, all without ever having to take their hands off the wheel.

With generous ingress and egress access, premium noise and temperature insulation, triple door seals, and an extensive range of cabin and sleeper options – including a 72-inch Stratosphere model, the largest sleeper on the Australian market – drivers won’t want to leave the cabin.

Underpinned by a long-standing North American truck-building heritage, the custom-built Western Star X-Series exudes legendary durability, with a build quality that will take the harsh Australian environment in its stride. In fact, with its durable stainless steel, bright aluminium works, a high-efficiency radiator cooling package, and optional high air intakes, the Western Star X-Series is the strongest and most tested Western Star cabin and chassis ever!

Featuring an all-new heavy-duty frame, the Western Star X-Series is engineered and built from the ground up to meet the demands of severe applications while still being lighter, more durable, easier to service, and incredibly bodybuilder friendly. That means that from the start, you’ll have a truck that can handle more payload and deliver greater uptime for improved profitability.

The new bonnets on the Western Star X-Series are engineered to improve durability and performance and provide superior vision for drivers. These new bonnets are incredibly strong, thanks to Western Star’s new moulded resin material that’s robotically sealed and bonded together for precision-manufactured quality and robustness. In addition, each bonnet is approximately 45kg lighter than legacy product bonnets and is designed to resist high impacts and last the vehicle’s life.

The Western Star X-Series models feature an all-new robust routing and clipping design, which keeps air lines and wiring harnesses away from the frame, decreasing chafing and debris build-up for reduced corrosion. In addition, heavy-duty bodybuilder routing and clipping options are available for more complex up-fits, allowing additional space to separate and route airlines, harness bundles, and more.

Western Star has always set the standard for building some of the toughest and safest cabs on the road. Today it continues that tradition with its new X-Series cabin. Western Star customers familiar with the durability of legacy-model cabins will appreciate that the new cabin is engineered to handle the most challenging jobs in the most unforgiving environments.

“Constructed from aluminium and enhanced with steel reinforcements, this new cab is lighter, safer, stronger, and more spacious than any Western Star cab before,” said Kurt. “All of which adds up to a cabin designed to protect and retain drivers while delivering greater payload and uptime.

“The new X-Series door is designed as an integral part of the steel-reinforced aluminium cab structure. It is crafted from rugged steel using state-of-the-art tooling to ensure unmatched fit and finish, then galvanised and hem-sealed for complete corrosion resistance. The door is integrated with the cab utilising forged steel hinges, which were slam tested to simulate 15 years of use, so you know it will survive even your toughest days on the toughest job sites.

“The X-Series cab-mount system features cab isolators designed to reduce driver fatigue by providing optimal cab stability, helping deliver the incredibly comfortable ride for which Western Star is renowned. Furthermore, the quiet steel engine tunnel reduces engine noise intrusion into the cab to provide a premium operating environment.

“Equipped with Daimler Truck’s Active Brake Assist 5, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, side guard assist, tailgate warning, brake hold mode, an improved visibility package, and a RollTek driver’s seat with rollover restraint and a seat-mounted airbag, drivers and fleet operators can have complete peace of mind that their Western Star will protect their most important asset, the occupants.”

The most tested Western Star ever, the X-Series was designed from the ground up and comprises the 47X, 49X, and Australian-exclusive 48X.

Highly versatile, the 47X has a short, sloped bonnet that yields payload flexibility, a set-back front axle (single- or twin-steer), and a choice of power with the Cummins L9 or the Detroit DD13 Gen 5. The choices continue with the Detroit DT12, Allison fully automatic, or Eaton Fuller manual transmissions, and various sleeper options.

Designed specifically for Australia, the 48X is powered by the 450 to 525hp Detroit DD13 Gen 5 or 500 to 600hp DD16 engine. The truck features a set-forward front axle and has a bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of 113.5 inches, yielding a flexible solution.

The toughest of the tough, the 49X is powered by the 500 to 600hp DD16, has up to 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and is available with multiple cabin options, including the largest cab on the Australian market, the 72-inch Stratosphere sleeper.

“But don’t take our word for it,” Kurt Dein concludes, “Go and check out the new Western Star X-Series for yourself.”

Find out more information on the new Western Star X-Series.