We knew it was coming and we knew Kenworth would launch it with all the gusto and pomp befitting the brand’s top-selling truck. Even so, the launch of the new K220 cab-over was more than expected, showcasing a tireless warrior transformed with a smart blend of modern features encased in classically Kenworth styling. But after 50 years, is this the last major makeover we’ll see for the iconic K-series?
Kenworth events are a big deal. Always have been, and given the aspirational notoriety of the brand, probably always will be. Historically, they don’t happen very often but over the past four or five years there has been a veritable glut of ‘big deals’ from Kenworth and Paccar Australia. All with good reason, of course, and all producing remarkable results as well as an occasional, intriguing insight into bold new developments quietly taking shape behind closed doors.
Obviously enough, the latest blockbuster was the recent and typically upmarket release of the K220 cab-over to around 500 customers, dealers, special guests and media in a purposefully prepared hangar at Brisbane’s Archerfield airbase. With air-race ace Matt Hall performing jaw-dropping aerial stunts, it was, by any measure, a slap-up, full throttle shindig to not only launch a new version of an old warhorse but also, as one high-ranking Paccar Australia executive poignantly remarked, an ideal opportunity to celebrate normality after two years of COVID-induced mayhem and misery.
Anyway, while we’ll get to the basic details of the truck shortly, suffice to say it would take a fountain of foolishness in a noggin of pure naivety to suggest the K220 will be anything less than a continuation of the incredible acceptance which keeps K-series the dominant model in Paccar Australia’s product portfolio.
Again though, the arrival of the substantially reworked cab-over was simply the latest notch in a swathe of celebrations which largely started in 2018 with the first locally assembled DAF to roll out of the Bayswater (Vic) factory. Vitally, the truck emerged in sync with the announcement of a $37 million expansion of the Bayswater plant and the unreserved expression of DAF’s critical importance to Paccar Australia’s future. However, unbeknown to anyone outside Bayswater’s executive sanctum, it was apparently the same year Kenworth started planning for a successor to the stunningly successful K200.
Then came the launch of Kenworth’s highly anticipated T610 conventional and its T410 and T360 siblings, followed by the celebration of 50 years of truck production at Bayswater. After that was the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show which saw the arrival of the T410 SAR and the phenomenal, almost rock star response to the retrospectively crafted Legend SAR.
Heady days, indeed, and all the while further cementing Kenworth’s and Paccar Australia’s powerhouse performance at the peak of the Australian heavy-duty truck market despite the brutal ravages and constraints of COVID. A truly amazing effort by a truly intuitive company.
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All eyes on Kenworth’s new K220. Building on the legacy of the supremely successful K200 and sure to maintain Kenworth’s high stature in the premium cab-over class
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Paccar Australia is, however, not a company to rest on laurels or let the grass grow under its feet and soon after the arrival of the new conventional models, inquiring minds were wondering if the hugely popular K200 would be next in line for a significant makeover. After all, the T610 and its siblings were the result of a $20 million overhaul of Kenworth’s conventional armoury and consequently, it seemed entirely logical that with more than a decade passing since the K200 skyrocketed onto the market in 2010, the opportunity was perhaps ripe to start work on a refreshed cab-over design. Little did we know that plans were already well advanced.
Still, there were at least two factors which caused some people to wonder if there was even the need for a refashioned K-series. One was the K200’s established acceptance and ongoing sales strength in a booming truck market. In effect, why change something so successful?
The other, and arguably most provocative factor, was the growing inference of a boldly unique cab-over being developed in Europe specifically for our part of the world, powered by an entirely new, lightweight 15 litre Cummins engine with up to 660hp and 2300lb-ft of torque, and believed to be set for a 2024 release.
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Paccar Australia managing director, Andrew Hadjikakou. There’s plenty to grin about with the launch of the K220 and Kenworth’s ongoing domination of the heavy-duty truck market
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Together, these two factors questioned whether investment in a substantially refashioned K-series was altogether worthwhile, particularly given strong indications that the new Cummins engine – currently being trialled in Australia – will not be offered in the K-series.
But as the launch of the K220 unequivocally showed, a multi-million dollar investment was not only deemed worthwhile but also, entirely appropriate for a truck which continues to be the prepotent platform for Kenworth’s strength and success over more than half a century.
However, with the winds of change blowing ever stronger from Europe and the absolute certainty that DAF is the core of Paccar’s cab-over future, is K220 the last major makeover of Kenworth’s seemingly indomitable K-series?
Right now, it appears a question with no definitive answer but as we wrote late last year when first breaking news of the K220’s emergence, ‘the only certainty is that despite the increasing costs of producing K-series purely for the Australian and New Zealand markets, Paccar Australia is unlikely to ever voluntarily withdraw or kill off its classic cab-over’.
‘Market forces alone will determine K-series’ future but judging by the fact it is still Kenworth’s biggest seller, this incredible survivor will be around for many, many years yet. Investment in a new K220 version will prove it beyond doubt.
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‘If people are prepared to keep paying for K-series in sufficient numbers, Paccar Australia will almost certainly continue building it.’
Or as Brad May, Paccar Australia’s resolute sales and marketing director, asserted when recently asked if K220 was the final evolution of Kenworth’s redoubtable cab-over, “It (K220) is by no means the end of the line for K-series. If we have the market to develop it further, we will.”
Next Level
Let’s face it, without the Australian and New Zealand markets, and most notably Australia’s reliance on B-doubles for linehaul freight movements, Kenworth’s K-series probably wouldn’t exist today. It would’ve simply drifted into dusty engineering archives several decades ago, sometime after American length laws made conventionals preferable and cab-overs obsolete.
Yet, as the only cab-over on the Australian market with an entirely American powertrain, K-series has probably never known better times in our part of the world despite the fact that for many years now Paccar Australia has been entirely on its own when it comes to investment in the cab-over’s future.
More to the point perhaps, Paccar Australia’s engineers and product designers have progressively done a superb job of keeping the aging cab-over relevant, productive and popular in the face of fierce competition from highly advanced and increasingly assertive continental brands.
It all started, of course, in March 1971 when a slimline K125CR rigid model – affectionately known as the Grey Ghost – rolled off an infant Bayswater production line to become the first Australian-built Kenworth truck.
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Launched in Brisbane to an invited crowd of 500 customers, dealers and special guests, rain didn’t deny a close-up look at Kenworth’s newest cab-over. In the background sits the Grey Ghost, the first Kenworth built in Australia
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Since then, gradual changes have seen the evolution of various cab-over models, from the somewhat archaic K100C, the marginally less archaic K100E, the significantly upgraded K100G, the underwhelming K104 which led to the slightly less underwhelming K104B, and the stoic but altogether awkward K108.
Then in 2010 came the biggest and best change of all. K200! Defined by a highly distinctive grille design, Bayswater engineers had performed the seemingly impossible by greatly reducing the engine cowl to provide drivers with a vastly improved workspace and dash layout, and critically, good access to the bunk and even standing room between driver and passenger seats. It might be taken for granted these days, but K200 was a revolution in Kenworth’s cab-over design.
VIDEO: Kenworth K220 spotted on the road
And now there’s the K220, marketed as the ‘Next Level’ in Kenworth’s cab-over chronicle, but unquestionably more evolution than revolution. Even so, as Brad May rightly enthused in a press statement, “K220 celebrates Australian ingenuity to engineer a uniquely Australian product”.
“It is a development path that has been forged by an amazing collaboration between Australian transport operators and a dedicated and determined local development team that has spanned more than five decades.”
Similarly citing the critical involvement of customers in the K220’s development, chief engineer Noelle Parlier stated, “Although the K200 has benefited from many years of refinement, customers were able to give us several areas of product improvement. It became apparent that our focus should be applied to providing greater driver comfort and technology integration.”
The end result is a truck which is obviously different inside and out, yet retains Kenworth’s familiar contours and the design diversity to be configured as a 6×4, 8×4, 8×6, 10×4 or 10×6 with gross combination mass ratings ranging from a nominal 97 tonnes up to around 250 tonnes.
Typically, cab options include a 1.7 metre day cab to a 2.3 metre sleeper cab in flat-roof or high-rise aerodynamic form, and a 2.8 metre aero ‘big cab’. Side extenders are available on all cab sizes, plus there’s a wide range of sleeper storage and bunk options on the 2.3 and 2.8 metre cabs as well as roof fairings.
Critically though, K220 also delivers a number of significant advances led by a new electrical package with enhanced capacity to integrate current and future functions from Europe and the US in areas such as safety, telematics and powertrain developments.
On the outside, the new grille is the most obvious change, giving the cab-over a distinctive family resemblance to the T610 and T410 conventionals. What’s more, Kenworth says, ‘The new grille works with a more efficient fan (and) the new wheel well shield protects the engine bay and critical electrical systems from road spray and debris’.
However, ‘The most significant exterior change is the new wind-cheating roof profile. Shaped with the aid of computational fluid dynamics, the profile improves aerodynamic efficiency by four percent,’ Kenworth claims.
Surprisingly absent from the new model are the vista windows on the front of high-rise roofline and according to Kenworth, the decision to forego the windows was, ‘Inspired by the success of this change on the T610, for improved sleeper insulation and a more easily maintained cab temperature’.
Likewise, ‘The new roof profile increases headroom and provides greater overhead storage space, which is now triple the size. The new climate-controlled HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system provides significantly improved performance … in any weather.
Meantime, the K220 also has new LED headlamps with integrated indicators and daytime running lights which Kenworth says, ‘can be paired with bright bezels to enhance the model’s on-road presence’.
Overall though, the most dramatic change is on the inside where a 15-inch (38cm) digital instrument panel provides a complete departure from Kenworth’s typical array of gauges, and while uniquely different from the digital dash designs of prominent competitors, at least takes Kenworth into the modern realm of digital instrumentation.
‘Intuitive and easy to read,’ Kenworth states, ‘this new digital instrumentation helps reduce distraction by allowing the driver to control how much information is shown when operating the truck. This can be customised from driver to driver and trip to trip.’
Typical of most modern digital systems, ‘The instrument panel will display critical content to alert the driver of all necessary information, constantly monitoring vehicle parameters and displaying them as required.’
Furthermore, ‘With the press of a button, the K220 will perform a comprehensive Systems Check (and) at the end of the day will display a detailed trip and vehicle summary including average fuel economy, idle time, cruise control usage as well as any potential mechanical issues.’
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Arguably the greatest change of all is on the inside with Kenworth’s first foray into digital dash technology. It’s a smart layout
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Kenworth also emphasises easy control of the various functions and settings through, ‘a new and improved SmartWheel and stalk mounted controls’ while an eight-inch (20cm) Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) unit on the left of the dash ‘provides easy access display with intuitive controls for truck navigation, the audio system, and smartphone mirroring’.
The AVN can also be operated through control buttons on the steering wheel.
For the purists though, there’s space for the option of up to six regular analogue gauges on the left extremity of the dash fascia.
Continuing the techno trend, Kenworth says every K220 is equipped with Paccar Connect, Paccar’s proprietary telematics system which offers live tracking and monitoring of the vehicle, driver, and fleet performance data in easy-to-read reports that can be customised to individual needs.
For drivers, ‘the interior is more spacious and quieter than ever (with) more space in the footwell achieved by moving pedals further forward, combined with a greater range of seat movement’.
And maintaining the all-important Kenworth image is soft upholstery in traditional studded trim with updated colour choices.
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After the initial fanfare and fuss of the K220’s blazing entry, a few quiet minutes inside the cab at least revealed user friendly features and system controls in an entirely pleasing environment, and an extremely impressive digital dash display. Hopefully, it won’t be long before an overnight run will provide the opportunity to better gauge the extent of the new model’s makeover.
Under the cab though, it seems the only significant change is in the availability of Eaton’s all-new Endurant XD Pro 18-speed automated transmission behind the quintessential Cummins X15 engine in either Euro 5 or Euro 6 form.
Of course, there’s also an 18-speed manual version but it’s the much anticipated automated ’box which sets a new standard for both Eaton and Kenworth. Said to be lighter, smoother, and engineered to reduce fuel and maintenance costs, Kenworth says the Endurant XD uses Eaton’s ‘extreme duty’ clutches equipped with components designed for greater durability, lower noise and vibration levels, and better low-speed manoeuvrability.
On the subject of safety, Kenworth makes considerable claims for its latest cab-over. As the company states, ‘Contributing to improved safety for drivers and other road users, the K220 has the largest range of active and passive safety options ever offered by Kenworth Australia, adding multi-lane Autonomous Emergency Braking and stop-and-go functionality (whatever that means) to a growing list of systems.’
Sounds impressive but typically, Paccar Australia chose to keep advanced safety systems on the options list rather than match its major rivals with the standard inclusion of a high-level safety package.
Rest assured though, the day is coming within the next few years when world-class safety systems will be an integral standard feature in a highly advanced cab-over from Paccar Australia.
Whether that truck will be badged a DAF or a Kenworth remains to be seen. You never know, it might even be called a Paccar. And why not? After all, it’s a brand that already reflects prestige and success.
Whatever it’s called, we’re expecting to be amazed by a truck which will bring together Paccar’s global strengths to produce something entirely unique to the Australian market, and like nothing ever before offered by Paccar Australia.
In the meantime, there’s no question the K220 will continue to do what its forebears have done for decades – work hard and work well, for as long as it takes before time, technology, circumstance and cost ultimately combine to create another Kenworth ‘Legend’.