After an intensive judging process, the newly released Western Star X-Series has been named as the Truck of the Year Australasia 2024.
Announced at a pre-conference event ahead of the opening of the inaugural Teletrac-Navman Technical Maintenance and Safety Conference on 13 March 2024 in Christchurch, New Zealand, the trophy was presented to Penske Australia and New Zealand managing director Hamish Christie-Johnston.
The X-Series won the award in front of the Volvo F-Series Electric and Scania’s Super Series.
A judging panel consisting of PowerTorque editor Tim Giles, New Zealand Trucking Media editorial director Dave McCoid, FOCUS on Transport & Logistics editorial director Charleen Clarke, long-time Australian trucking industry stalwart, Bob Woodward, and Randolph Covich, publisher of Deals on Wheels (New Zealand) unanimously agreed on the Western Star model.
“When it comes to pure engineering, the way Scania took what was an excellent and a frugal driveline and redesigned all of the components, taking them to another level, is very impressive,” Giles says.
“Volvo needed an electric alternative in the prime mover department and came up with a solution which turned a good to drive, well-designed truck into a good to drive, well-designed truck that also achieves zero emissions.
“In the new X-Series from Western Star, we see a completely different truck from its predecessor; the design brings the Western Star brand bang up to date.
“The X-Series includes all of the latest goodies like the Detroit DT12 AMT, which has performed well from the word go. For the traditionalist, there is still a Roadranger available, just to reassure us that the dying art of the truck driver is still with us.”
Accepting the trophy for the company, Christie-Johnson says it was a proud moment for Western Star.
“I am thrilled to receive the 2024 Truck of the Year Australasia award on behalf of our Australia and New Zealand Western Star teams,” he says.
“Since we launched the all-new X-Series in late 2022, we’ve received outstanding feedback from everyone who has driven the trucks. From customers to media personnel, the response has been unanimous that the X-Series is a seriously premium package.”
The X-Series is currently available in three different models, the 47X, 48X and 49X.
Made for versatility, the 47X has a short, sloped bonnet that yields payload flexibility, a set-back front axle, and choice of power with the Cummins L9 or the Detroit DD13 Gen 5, either the Detroit DT12, Allison fully automatic, or Eaton Fuller manual transmission, and various sleeper options.
Designed specifically for Australian roads and conditions, the 48X is powered by the 450-525 hp Detroit DD13 Gen 5 or 500-600 hp DD16 engine, features a set-forward front axle, and has a bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of 113 inches, yielding a flexible solution.
The strongest of the bunch, the 49X is powered by the 500-600 hp DD16, has up to 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and is available with multiple cabin options, including the largest cab on the Australasian market, the 72” Stratosphere sleeper.
“This is the most tested Western Star ever. Designed from the ground up, the 47X, 49X, and ANZ-exclusive 48X are engineered specifically for our local market,” says head of Western Star Trucks at Penske Australia and New Zealand Kurt Dein.
“Over several years, the team at Penske worked closely with Daimler Trucks North America to deliver a product that is lighter, safer, stronger, and more spacious than any Western Star before.
“Thinking back to 2015 when I joined the development process to bring X-Series to market with DTNA, I am so proud to be at the TMS Conference today to accept the award on behalf of the whole team.
“This also means a lot to me when I think back to my grandfather opening one of the first-ever Western Star dealerships.
“It’s an honour to be a part of this public recognition that the X-Series is a superior transport solution in Australasia.”