Western Star X-Series 2022 Launch Review

They say that a week is a long time in politics but, if that’s the case, then 20 years is a hell of a long time in the truck industry.

But it has been longer than that since the last time Western Star rolled out a new truck in this country. In fact, it’s been 24 years. But here it is. Not only a new truck, but a whole range of new trucks, taking in everything from 260hp day-cab rigids to a 600hp Stratosphere sleeper-cab prime mover with capacity to haul 200+ tonnes GCM.

The trucks are called the Western Star X-Series and the range comprises three segments: the 47X, 48X, and the range-topping 49X.

The Western Star 47X comes with either the Cummins ISL or Detroit DD13 engines in power ratings of 260 to 380hp for the Cummins and 450 to 525hp for the Detroit. The 47X can have axle configurations of 6x4, 8x4 or 10x4, making it suitable for applications such as tipper and dog or agitator as well as single trailer and light B-Double work.

In an interesting twist to the launch, we found out the 48X has been created purely for the Australian market. It features a set-forward front axle and has a BBC of 113.5 inches. Engine options for this model are either the DD13 or DD16 with power ratings from 450hp right up to 600hp and torque from 1550 to 2050lb-ft or 2780Nm.

The big banger is the Western Star 49X, which is touted as the ‘toughest of the tough’, is powered by the DD16 and has power of 500 or 600hp and torque of either 1850 or 2050lb-ft. It comes in either a day cab or a sleeper.

Apart from the day cabs, there are a number of sleeper cab options in the Western Star X-Series. In the 47X and 48X, there is a 36-inch trench-style low-roof sleeper, a 36-inch mid-roof and 48-inch mid-roof sleeper. The 48X and 49X can be ordered with a 60-inch mid-roof, and the 49X gets the 72-inch in either mid-roof or the range-topping Stratosphere high-roof sleeper.

The cabs have been redesigned and are constructed of aluminium with steel reinforcing and we were told that they are lighter, safer and stronger than before.

The doors are steel with forged steel hinges and have been slam tested to simulate 15 years of use. Western Star has fitted the doors with triple rubbers for better sealing and for noise reduction. In fact, the whole cab is designed to reduce noise and increase insulation.

Climbing into the cab, we found that the steps have been increased in size and have a more aggressive tread pattern that helps grip and allows dirt and mud to pass through. Grab handles abound and you can also use the door pocket as a grab handle.

Inside, the truck has been fully redesigned and the new wrap-around cab is customisable so that you can add up to 13 small gauges on the left aside from the six bigger gauges in the main binnacle.

The switches are also customisable so you can have the ones you want in the places you want them. A good example of this was one of the tippers we had on the launch, which had all its tipping functions clustered together on one section of the dash in a very neat layout.

Related reading:
Western Star launches X-Series
All-new Western Star 47X coming to Aus
Penske Truck Rental opens new facility in Qld

The standard driver’s seat, an ISRI item, is very comfortable and has heaps of adjustment. The steering column is also multi-adjustable so it’s easy to get the right driving position.

With this model, Western Star has finally gone for a steering wheel with controls. Dipping into the Daimler Trucks parts bin, the steering wheel is familiar with buttons that control the adaptive cruise control, Bluetooth phone, and the central screen, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and focus on the job at hand.

Vision has been enhanced too, both forward and peripheral. The windscreen is broad and deep with a great view out over the sloping nose, and the mirrors have a new ‘C-bar’ mounting that aids the vision out the sides.

Owners of day cab models can also choose from a single rear window, a three-piece rear window that increases the rear window space by 77 per cent over the old legacy models, or a solid wall with no window at all.

Western Star has increased the safety aspects of the trucks with this X-Series range, with our test truck now equipped with a near-full suite of safety gear called Detroit Assurance. This includes lane-departure warning, Active Brake Assist that can detect vehicle and pedestrians, a proximity warning, adaptive cruise control, hill-hold function and automatic lights and wipers.

One thing it doesn’t get is a driver’s airbag in the steering wheel. However, the trucks can be ordered with the RollTek airbag-equipped driver’s seat that deploys a side-curtain airbag in the event of a rollover.

We were told at the launch that a driver’s airbag in the steering wheel is coming, but we don’t know when.

While we didn’t get a full on-road drive at the launch, we did get plenty of time in the trucks at the Mt Cotton test track, which gave us a feel for the new ’Stars.

The first thing to notice is that they are appreciably quieter than the old models. The last Western Star I drove was a 4900 Constellation, and this new truck is a leap ahead in terms of NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) compared to that one.

On the road, the Western Star X-Series is quiet. Much more quiet and civilised than the truck it replaces. The guys in Portland, Oregon, have done a great job insulating the cab against noise and temperature. You can still hear the rumble of the big Detroit engine but it’s much more subdued and you can have a conversation with the co-pilot or talk on the phone without having to raise your voice.

The steering is good too. It’s a straight hydraulic system that is both light and direct. There’s no slop in it and it’s very easy to place the truck exactly where you want it on the road.

It’s also a lot more comfortable. The seat is better, the ride is better and the ergonomics are far better. The wrap-around-style dash means you don’t have to lean over to get to things like the rocker switches, the heater and air-con controls, or the stereo.

It’s a commanding position up high with the bonnet sloping away down to the road, and the view is great. According to the stats we were given the windscreen is 28 per cent larger than the old model and this is certainly evident from the driver’s seat.

During our drive, we appreciated many of the truck’s handy features like the hill-hold function, which I tried out in a loaded B-double on a fairly steep grade and which worked a treat.

As expected, the DT12 transmission works beautifully with the Detroit engines and Penske Australia is expecting to increase its percentage of automated manual transmissions with the new range.

At the launch, Penske Australia’s Executive General Manager – On-Highway, Craig Lee, said that this truck should bring Western Star to double-digit market territory within two to three years, and we don’t doubt that that is a possibility.

If Penske Australia can get enough of these trucks into the country, then they’ll certainly give the other bonneted trucks on the market a decent run for their money in many sectors of the Australian and New Zealand truck markets.

Specifications: Western Star 48X Day Cab
Engine: DD13 Detroit Gen 5, 525hp, 1850lb-ft (2508Nm)
Engine (opt): Detroit DD16, 600hp, 2050lb-ft (2780Nm)
Transmission: DT12-OV (DD13) limited to 72,500kgs GCM
Transmission (opt): Eaton Fuller RTLO-22918B (DD16)
Front suspension: 6625kg taper-leaf front suspension with maintenance free bushes
Rear suspension: Airliner 20,865kg airbag
Safety: Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems including: Active Brake Assist 5, adaptive cruise control to 0 km/h, tailgate warning, lane departure warning, automatic headlights/wipers and intelligent high beams
Brakes: Bendix ADB22X air disc front brakes (disc brakes only available with DT12 transmissions) Wabco 6S/6M EBS / ABS with hill start aid and traction control
Brakes (opt): Meritor 16.5X6 Q+ cast spider cam front brakes, double anchor, fabricated shoes with Haldex automatic front slack adjusters with enhanced stability control (only available with manual transmission)
Fuel: RH: 302 litres; LH: 227 litres
AdBlue: 87 litres LHS under-cab mounted with polished-alloy diamond-plate cover