The appetite for new and innovative truck technology extends well beyond those in or adjacent to the industry as was verified by this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.
Overall attendance for the event held in May was over 15 per cent higher than any previous occasion with 42,855 people passing through the doors of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Here 16 commercial vehicle OEMs representing some 23 brands gathered to showcase their latest products over a frenzied four days.
To properly see all of it in any less time, as countless attendees will attest, is next to impossible given the range and volume of products and services on offer. While highlights, especially in alternative power sources, were sundry, there were more than a few standouts and a couple of surprises, that have set tongues wagging long after the final exhibit was bumped out.
There was no need to go in search of somebody impressed by the DAF XG+ 660. You could usually hear them. Developed in Australia by the PACCAR engineering team at Bayswater, it features a 15-litre Cummins engine.
As the biggest of the European cabs this truck had a notable presence at the popular PACCAR stand, where plenty of interest was also generated by the DAF XF H+, a hydrogen fuelled truck powered by an internal combustion engine. A DAF LF electric distribution truck, with a 260kW electric motor, offering range of up to 280km, made certain the Dutch marque now had all bases covered across the expanding modern drivetrain.
Stable partner, Kenworth, with a foot planted in the present and future proudly displayed its TOYA award winning K220 with Endurant transmission, its latest offering built specifically for the local market.
Australian carriers were given a peek at the Kenworth T909 with 50-inch sleeper; a T610 with 55-inch sleeper; and both a T360A and T410SAR in low roof car carrier configuration. PACCAR also made use of the event to showcase vehicles it has developed in California including a Kenworth FCEV T680, conceived as part of a joint venture with Toyota. It was flanked by a HFCEV 630hp electric motor in which 60kg of hydrogen is stored at 10,000psi. Kenworth claims it provides a range of up to 480km with a 15-minute refuelling time.
Heavy-duty rival Volvo Trucks was not lacking for battery electric vehicles either with EVs and local manufacturing serving as the major focus of its stand this year. With Global Executive Vice President Roger Alm in attendance, the Swedish brand wowed with a stunning neon yellow FH16 XXL cab. To better illustrate improvements to air flow, it boasted several notable visual touches including mirror arms and closed up panel gaps and wheel arches. If Miami Vice was about trucking this is what Don Johnson would drive.
In the future fuels space, Volvo promoted internal combustion engine vehicles using HVO fuel, which, according to the OEM, offer a 95 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions. The exhibit also displayed a Volvo FM electric and a FE rear loader EV. Sister company, Mack, celebrated 60 years of manufacturing in Brisbane.
Part of the festivities included a world record Lego model Anthem and a range of new sleepers on show, not forgetting its 36-inch integrated walk-through sleeper cab. This vehicle is optimised for 34-pallet B-double application. It is powered by a 13-litre MP8 with M-Drive HD 13-speed.
The biggest sleeper Mack offers, a 70-inch walk-through sleeper for roadtrain applications, attracted strong interest. Powered by a 16-litre MP10 685hp engine, it uses an M-Drive XHD 14-speed transmission with 2 reduction gears.
In a world first, UD unveiled a CG Quon 8×4 agitator fitted with an ESCOT AMT. Its full safety package includes driver monitoring, blind spot detection system for objects and vulnerable road users covering both sides of the vehicle (30 metres to the rear and 7 metres to front). UD also made a splash with an extra-long-wheelbase CG Quon, its first 16-pallet curtainsider.
Truck sales leader Isuzu provided a compelling reminder that it had celebrated its 50th anniversary in Australia last year, a milestone very much still front of mind at the company. On display was one of its first factory produced BEVs.
Continuing this theme, the OEM exhibited an N Series EV spec’d for Japan that in likelihood will be different when launched for local customers. It will target a gross vehicle mass between 4500 and 7500kgs in Australia. Operating range is estimated between 150 to 200km. Initial customers Isuzu will target are certain to include local government councils. Dual control refuse compactors were a focus of its legacy powertrains. Its offering included an FYJ 300 350 twin-steer agitator, N and F Series tippers while it signalled an intention to support its popular Ready to Work range in curtainsider freight packs.
Mercedes-Benz turned more than a few heads with a new generation eActros, something of a flagship for its transformational task of electrification. It uses two electric motors with a maximum output of 442hp.
Three battery packs come as standard with an option for a fourth. As the Actros has now been around for 25 years, to honour the successful truck platform, Mercedes-Benz announced a limited release Actros 25 Driver Edition with space cab and a host of integrated special features. A fuel efficient 13-litre engine will offer up to 4 per cent improvement in fuel economy. The Mercedes-Benz eEconic waste collection vehicle was another of the brand’s key offerings at the show.
Given the increasing demand for quiet functioning vocational type vehicles, the refuse truck will suit urban areas due to its impressive low noise output.
Daimler’s bonneted American brand, Freightliner made the most of the occasion by highlighting the versatility of the Cascadia, available to order in either a Detroit DD13 or DD16. Both of which are now suited to the 34-pallet application. Additionally, the Freightliner Cascadia 116 is offered as a 36-inch cab B-double and as a 16-litre 36-inch tipper. A colossal Cascadia 126 spec’d as a roadtrain with a 60-inch cab turned a few heads. Daimler’s Assurance safety package is standard across the range. The Cascadia is also the only bonneted heavy-duty truck in Australia to have drivers’ air bag as standard. Freightliner also called to attention the new DT12 transmission.
Not to be outdone, Fuso displayed the new Shogun 510, the most powerful Japanese truck in the market. One key exhibit of note was the Shogun tipper developed exclusively for Australia and New Zealand.
In the zero emissions category, Fuso gave many punters their first look at the new next generation eCanter. The second generation eCanter is available in a broader range than the previous model that debuted at BTS in 2017 and now uses an eAxle. Fuso made it known that it could be charged with conventional AC power.
As to be expected, Western Star was committed to promoting its new X Series range with the 47X, 48X and 49X, present, all with either DD13 and DD16 power plants.
The other non-municipal heavy-duty truck available through Penske Australia was the new generation MAN, launched in August last year. It offers a 250hp small cab right up to 640hp sleepers. A Euro V1 510hp 6×4 and a 640hp big cab new truck generation among the variants were two to look out for.
The major focus for Hino Australia was its expanding range of hybrid vehicles.
Korean automotive powerhouse, Hyundai, is looking to enhance its profile in Australia with the Hyundai Mighty Electric with a range of factory bodies available including a fridge van.
Ten truck dealers, rather than car dealers, have signed up so far for the EV which offers around 4 tonnes of payload at a range of 200km fully loaded and rated to 7.3 tonne gross vehicle mass. IVECO had its own electric vehicle, known as the eDaily on display. The 70C cab-chassis with a 4350mm wheelbase is equipped with three batteries that form the basis of local engineering and application assessments.
The new IVECO S-Way was also on show and will be available in a wide range of specifications with Euro V1 engines offering up to 550hp/2500Nm. The OEM’s long history of offroad trucks was bolstered by the launch of the new T-Way range.
A full suite of functions added to the upgraded vehicle specifications of SEA Electric formed a cornerstone of its offering at BTS. Known as SEA-DAS (SEA Driver Assistance System), the standard array of features includes Vehicle Stability Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Traction Control, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and dual airbags.
Hydrogen truck platform Hyzon claimed to have taken large orders for its FCEV as it makes progress with its assembly plant in Melbourne’s Noble Park.
Not to be outdone HDrive had senator Bridget McKenzie on hand to launch their new FCEV, a vehicle currently under trial by PepsiCo among others. Adjoined with Meritor, Cummins put together its customary sophisticated exhibition space.
The new fuel agnostic engines, first launched last year at IAA in Hanover, were available for closer inspection including the new X15D big bore engine, which is 225kg lighter than the current X15. Cummins confirmed it would be available to buy in a top end rating of up to 660hp.