Page 27 - Newcom

(the raised center section on the hood top) is designed to accentuate the length of the hood and the dynamic shape reflects the powerful engine underneath. The side air intakes wrap over the top of the hood so that they are visible from the driver’s seat. All of this creates a strong visual impact from behind the wheel.”
During the unveiling, Duncan said the W990’s dynamic shape helps the driver connect with the road.
“We wanted to reward the driv- ers with the sharpest truck and the view of the road,” said Duncan. “The world’s best drivers deserve and expect noless,andwehadtogiveittothem.”
Oculus Transport, a Calgary, Alta.-based carrier, started pur- chasing Kenworth trucks in 2011, and has stuck with the brand ever since.
“We stand out with our long hoods and bright orange paint scheme,” said Cory Heck, vice-pres- ident of assets and equipment for Oculus. “We stick to our roots, and have pride in ownership. Image is so important to us and the Kenworth W900L, and now W990, support that image perfectly. When drivers are required to dwell in their truck, it is important that they feel rested and comfortable. I know that our equip- ment helps with driver retention, and we’ve seen our drivers turn up their nose at offers from other com- panies with lesser equipment. That really tells you something.”
Oculus got the keys to its new W990 during the Las Vegas unveil- ing, along with only a handful of other Kenworth customers. Pur- chasing its trucks through Inland Kenworth in Fort St. John, B.C., Ocu- lus’ W990 is spec’d with the Paccar
MX-13 engine with 510 hp and an Eaton Ultra- Shift, 18-speed trans- mission.
“Everyone loves the Paccar MX engine around here,” said Heck. “They’ve proven very reliable in our other trucks, plus they’re giving us better fuel economy numbers.
The W990 with Paccar MX-13 engines is a great combination for us.”
The truck comes standard with Kenworth’s TruckTech+ remote diagnostics system, and a Nav+HD seven-inch display provides access to various additional features, such as navigation, roadside assistance, vehicle data, hands-free calling, and internet. Duncan said the W990 took about three years to develop, and the company employed a driver council for feedback on its design and features. Kenworth will show off the W990 on its upcoming North American road tour, which began Oct. 10 in Atlanta.
“Kenworth’s long hood conven- tional is the enduring symbol of North American trucking for pro- fessional drivers, owner-operators and fleets. The new Kenworth W990 builds upon that strong legacy by delivering the significant, next-step evolution wrapped in traditional styling, craftsmanship, luxury and power,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “During the two Kenworth road tours, we’re bring- ing four Kenworth W990s out on the road for the world of trucking to see and experience.”
In November, the tour will make three Canadian stops, the first in Montreal Nov. 2, then Grande Prai- rie, Alta., Nov. 8, and Leduc, Alta., the following day.
The W990 is currently in pre-pro- duction, with full production to start this coming January and rolled out to customers in 2019. Dozier said Kenworth is very methodical when it comes to its production, but does have the ability to increase produc- tion if need be. TN
base, but all other models on dis- play during the test drive are offered north of the border. The second truck I got a ride in was also a W990 76-inch mid-roof, which with its 251-inch wheelbase is available in Canada.
It had a Paccar MX-13 engine with 485 hp and 1,650 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is typically quieter than the larger Cummins engine, but based on this most recent experi- ence, I can say both were smooth and quiet at all speeds.
With a Paccar 12-speed auto- mated transmission, Brian Bowe, development engineer with Ken- worth, said only time will tell how many W990s will have automated transmissions compared to manu- als. Bowe said the previous model, the W900, was about 50/50 when it came to automated and man- ual transmissions, but they would have to wait and see whether carri- ers would opt for automated in an effort to entice new drivers.
My second test ride was with my colleague from Transport Rout- ier, Steve Bouchard, who was driv- ing, and one thing we noticed was how difficult it was to estimate our speed. Rolling down the interstate at 65 mph seemed like we were crawling, which we guessed was due to the long hood design and slightly more boxy shape than Kenworth’s T680 and T880 models.
Speaking of boxy, like the W900, the W990 has more of a square look than the company’s other highway models, but has increased its aero- dynamics by 7%, according to Jon- athan Duncan, Kenworth’s design director.
The added aerodynamics, Duncan estimated, would equate to around a 2-3% fuel savings, but he did admit that this was not the primary con- cern when designing the W990.
Because Kenworth is hyping the W990 as a driver’s truck – and one that carriers can reward long-time drivers with as a retention tool – it’s not surprising it maintained the beefier look, but added some slight aerodynamic enhancements for some added fuel efficiency.
As with any truck, whether you are attracted to it visually is a matter of personal taste. Some people like Kenworths, some Macks, and others Peterbilts...it’s subjective.
One driver who saw the W990 we were test driving stopped to take a picture, saying it was “so purdy,” so obviously he was a fan of the truck’s appearance – but that won’t be the case for everyone.
What should not be subjective is how it performs on the road.
If you’re looking for something that mixes today’s technologies with smooth, easy driving performance, Kenworth’s W990 may be the truck for you. TN
A quiet and smooth, easy ride. That’s the best way to describe how Ken- worth’s W990 handles.
From the moment you hop into the cab, the W990 boasts a beefy feel with its long hood design. Though it blocks a little bit of the driver’s view of the road, overall, there is a wide vantage point from the cab, and Kenworth is banking on the long hood being a design feature experienced highway drivers will look for in a truck.
The first model I rode in was the W990 76-inch mid-roof with a Cum- mins X15 engine that offers 605 hp and 2,050 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as
TRUCKING INSURANCE
an 18-speed manual Eaton Fuller transmission.
This model is not available in Canada due to its 300-inch wheel-
PUT US TO THE TEST!
The W990 on the road
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November 2018 • Truck News 27