K220 ENTERS THE FRAY
After hundreds of social media pics, speculation and teasers, the atmosphere was almost palpable when Kenworth, at last, played its latest K-model hand – the K220 – to a crowd of more than 500 dealers, customers and industry partners.
At first sight, there’s an apparent ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ theme in the K220. But beneath the familiar lines of the launch trucks is the continued evolution of arguably trucking’s greatest model dynasty.
The project began in late 2018, and Ross Cureton, director of product planning, says its development was driven by high levels of customer and driver input.
“We consider this to be a pivotal part of our development programme, ensuring operators get what they need.”
Says chief engineer Noelle Parlier: “Customers were able to give us several areas for product improvement. It became apparent our focus should be applied to greater driver comfort and technology integration.”
From the outside in
“Reassuringly familiar” with “streamlined, purposeful contours” is how the press release described the K220. There’s no question that revolution was off the project table for the COE this time around. But refinement? Most definitely.
The two biggest visuals are the new grille, which works with a more efficient fan to optimise cooling, and the loss of Kenworth’s iconic – and that’s not a cliché in this context – vista windows on the high-rise sleeper, allowing improved sleeper insulation and, therefore, more easily maintained cabin temperature.
That ties in with the “new wind-cheating roof profile” designed with the aid of computational fluid dynamics, said to improve aerodynamic efficiency by 4%.
New LED headlamps with integrated indicators and daytime running lights can be paired with bright-look bezels.
With GCMs from 97 to
250 tonnes and beyond via application approval, the latest K is available in 6x4, 8x4, 8x4 tandem with a lazy axle, 8x6, 10x4 tandem with a lazy axle, and 10x6.
The cab work undertaken on the outside does mean more cab on the inside, with increased headroom and triple the overhead storage space. A lot of work’s gone into the HVAC system, which Kenworth says “vastly” enhances interior comfort in any weather with a 60%-plus increase in the airflow.
Big changes come in the cockpit – specifically, the dash. A 15” high-definition instrument panel reduces distraction, says Kenworth, by allowing the driver to control how much information is showing when operating the truck. It’s customisable from driver to driver and trip to trip. Aside from vehicle parameters, intervention warnings allow the driver to respond quickly.
Button-actuated pre-start system checks, as well as post-shift vehicle and trip summaries, are all part of the new package, the latter providing statistics such as average fuel burn, idle time, cruise control usage, and any potential mechanical issues.
There are new SmartWheel and stalk-mounted controls with an expanded range of vehicle functions at the fingertips, plus an 8” audiovisual navigation (AVN (infotainment)) interface in the wrap, which can be incorporated into the SmartWheel controls, allowing
the driver’s phone to be left on a charging pad, or stored in new dash pockets. The
AVN can also be intelligently integrated with up to six external cameras.
There’s “meticulously considered” switchgear, which we hope means the same family of big, easy-to-find-anduse toggles, à la T410 and
610.
The interior is more spacious, and quieter, with improved storage, including in and around the new dash, as well as more footwell space via pedal repositioning and increased seat travel.
Soft, plush upholstery in the traditional studded pattern and an updated palette of trim colours bring the 220 into line with the Kenworth’s 2.1m cab range.
The cabs come in 1.7m day cab, 2.3m flat-roof sleeper, 2.3m Aerodynamic roof sleeper, and 2.8m Aerodynamic roof sleeper, with a 2.8m king-single bed option also.
All cab options are available with side extenders, and the 2.3m and 2.8m Aerodynamic roof variants are available with roof fairings.
Safety and coms
Equipped with the same electronic architecture as that available on new DAF models in Europe and Kenworth and Peterbilt in the United States, allows the K220s to move with the times. At launch, the truck has the largest range of active and passive safety options offered by Kenworth Australia, adding multi-lane autonomous emergency braking and stopand-go functionality to a growing list of systems.
Every K220 will be fitted with PACCAR Connect, the company’s proprietary telematics system. It allows live tracking and monitoring of the vehicle, driver, and fleet performance. There are fully customisable dashboards, and reports come in easy-to-read formats.
Powertrains
Powertrains are looking ever more ‘ADEPT’ for the job. Cummins X-15 Euro 6 and 5 variants in both efficiency and power series are available with manual or the new 18-speed Eaton Endurant XD Pro AMT. (Note: the efficiency series is only available with the AMT.) Emissions are achieved via SCR and DPF through a single-module after-treatment system.
The Endurant XD Pro utilises Eaton’s extreme-duty clutches designed for increased durability and improved noise and vibration, with higher thermal capacity for enhanced low-speed manoeuvrability.
Having the Endurant AMT available in GCMs up to 97 tonnes (for the time being) changes the AMT landscape for prospective customers. A purpose-built AMT, it sheds the shortcomings the Eaton UltraSHIFT suffered when compared with Europe’s high-end auto-shifters, providing the K220 real AMT firepower in terms of speed of shift, smoothness, and gear selection.
Cummins states the
ADEPT suite of advanced electronic engine-control features matched to AMT transmissions can enhance fuel efficiency by up to 6%.
Summary
“It is a development path forged by an amazing collaboration between Australian transport operators and a dedicated and determined team that has spanned more than five decades. Nowhere in the world does such a close relationship exist between end-users and designers,” says Brad May, sales director at PACCAR Australia.
Highly anticipated and eagerly awaited, the K220 has arrived on the ground over the ditch, opaque roof and all. We can hardly wait to get our mitts on one and to see just how far down the road this latest ‘K’ will take the bug.
“We expect the K220 later this year,” says Richard Smart, general sales manager at Southpac. “Being that we are predominantly 8x4, it takes a little longer to engineer. Our launch plans include a product roadshow nearer to spring/ summer, with a few big crowd events such as the Bombay Truck Show and Wheels at Wanaka playing a part.”