“We have a road map set out through 2017 that continues to drive efficiency—we’re looking at opportunities with downspeeding, and we’ll continue to work with suppliers like Meritor on different axle ratios,” Baney said.
You can spec the most fuel-efficient truck in the world, but it can be undercut by the world’s least efficient driver. Kenworth’s Driver Performance Assistant, a built-in virtual driver’s coach and a tool to improve driver performance for fleets and owner operators, can help improve operational efficiency. “During objective SAE-type testing, our experienced, internal test drivers performed multiple runs with the Driver Performance Assistant and had a significant fuel-efficiency benefit,” Baney said. “The system can help improve overall fleet performance by narrowing the driver variability gap.”
That system is part of a full suite of performance technologies that include automated-manual transmissions (AMTs), which Feight sees as providing advantages in fleet performance. “You don’t need to be as sensitive to how the vehicle is shifting so it is easier to optimize performance. And now, to further that improvement, you have the Driver Performance Assistant reminding the driver of the appropriate driving behavior,” Feight said.
Further extending its product options, Kenworth also introduced a new 76-in. mid-roof sleeper for the Kenworth T680 and T880 at MATS. The T880 vocational truck (featured on the cover) with the PACCAR MX-13 was named the 2015 Commercial Truck of the Year by the American Truck Dealers. The mid-roof sleeper provides 100-lb. weight savings when compared to Kenworth’s 76-in. high-roof sleeper and up to a 5% fuel economy savings for tanker and flatbed applications, depending on load conditions.
“It is a great time for fleets that partner with Kenworth to operate the most desirable truck for their drivers, receive premium quality, dependable uptime, excellent fuel efficiency and low total cost of ownership,” Feight concluded.