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Kenworth to replace W900 with new W990 in 2020


kscarbel2

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I suspect the decision was driven by the likely higher costs of building the old cab as well as declining demand. Peterbuilt already has an axle forward version of the new cab out, and that may be costing KW some sales. There's also the fuel efficiency standards, and the old cab is an aerodynamic disaster area.

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Looks Navistarish to me. Shacker also. Beats the Mack big dog. Oh that's right there is no Mack big dog. Seems as though Volvo can't figure out how to get an Aussie dog over here.

All you have to do is hold the interior up to a mirror and copy. KW 980 looks ok to me coming on the heels of numerous ugly T660's and 2000's. Like the looks of the T-880 also.:)

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  • 4 weeks later...

Kenworth Launches Long-Hood Conventional W990

John G. Smith, Heavy Duty Truckling (HDT)  /  September 28, 2018

Kenworth’s W900 has become a staple of the show ‘n shine circuit, its long hood and gleaming accents seem to guide drivers down the highway. The look has had a starring role in movies and been immortalized in belt buckles.

Now it has been re-imagined in the form of the W990.

“We’re celebrating the legacy of the W900 and the introduction of the next generation,” said Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice-president Mike Dozier, during a customer launch party at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “A lot of passion, a lot of pride, have gone into what we think is a really special product.”

The W900L remains available, he stressed. “But we’re planning for the future.”

Redefining a model like this is no small matter. The W900 has, in one form or another, been a staple of Kenworth’s lineup since 1961. The W is even a nod to Edgar K. Worthington, one of the company’s founding fathers who gave the brand its "worth."

“Redesigning an icon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a design team,” added Jonathan Duncan, Kenworth design director. Trucks like Kenworth’s T680 on-highway tractor and medium-duty models are important, he said. But they’re different. “They don’t sing songs about those. They don’t put those trucks on belt buckles necessarily.”

The Las Vegas event was the first opportunity most people outside of the Paccar family have had to soak in the truck’s unique profile. Marketing teams have been keeping the truck under wraps for months, shrouding the distinct hood as it moved to photo and video shoots.

“The driver’s view over the hood, that’s a huge part of the appeal,” Duncan said. “It’s really designed to accentuate the hood … All this creates kind of an emotional connection to the driver.”

Specifications

Measuring 131.5 inches from the bumper to the back of the cab – 1.5 inches longer than the W900L — the W990 comes as a day cab, with a 40-inch flat top sleeper, and 52- and 76-inch mid-roof sleepers. It also comes standard with a proprietary Paccar powertrain with a 510-hp/1,850 lb-ft MX-13 engine, 12-speed automated transmission, and 40K tandem rear axles.

It’s all built on the same cab platform used in the T680 and T880.

Sitting up front is the largest cooling module found on any of Kenworth’s on-highway trucks, Duncan said. And the shape is 6-7% more aerodynamic than a W900L, although he admits that won’t likely be the main driver for most buyers.

Much of the appeal will focus on the appearance.

The grille at the front maintains what’s described as a “cathedral shape”, with inset surfaces to define a tailored look.

The “wind-split” raised section at the top of the hood itself is meant to accentuate its length as drivers look over the dash. Stainless steel air intakes wrap over the top so they can be seen from the driver’s seat, too, and against some colors they’re said to look twice as deep as they actually are.

Inside, final touches come in the form of a limited-edition cab and sleeper interior, and the W990 Driver’s Studio Package. The interior itself is black, accented by door and dash trim elements made in a glossy ravenwood. Blue accents can be found in the double-stitched diamond door pads, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the backing for driver and passenger seats that have suede charcoal inserts and perforated leather.

For living quarters, the W990 Driver’s Studio features the passenger seat that swivels 180 degrees and a rotating table for two, drawer-style refrigerator, and space for a microwave. The premium audio package includes a 320-watt amp, 10-inch subwoofer and eight speakers; swivel TV mount for up to a 28-inch flat screen TV; and optional EpicVue pre-wire for satellite TV. There’s an 1,800-watt inverter including a connection for shore power and four standard 120-volt sleeper outlets. The LED lights shine over it all.

The ever-important storage amenities come in the form of a full-size wardrobe, storage drawers, and storage space under the bunk.

While it offers a nod to the company’s heritage, the W990 also comes standard with the latest TruckTech+ remote diagnostics, and the seven-inch color in-cab NAV+HD display for navigation, audio controls, blind spot camera inputs and more.

Paccar Parts was also involved in the process to create aftermarket enhancements like a special LED lighting package and stainless trim.

“They’re going to want to customize their trucks,” Duncan said, referring to early buyers. “We’ve given them a great place to start.”

The truck will visit 20 dealerships in the U.S. and Canada in October and November.

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Photo 6.jpg

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Australia seems 2 B the proving ground for trucks

we have heat n distance to travel

all the poplar makes R represented here from round the world

we get Jap, chinc, asian, nth merican 2 name a few

a true truck for the owner is a truck th@  haz plenty of back up n support round Au

cya

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The construction outfit I work for put me in a new T880 a few years ago. It was brand new , it drives nice, the ISX CUMMINS does ok ( could always have more power ),  it has long wheel base and turns pretty sharp.   Have had some faults show up quite often ( always with the regen shit )  . I don't mind it , it's new,  but it is NOT a T800.     The 800 is a lot better truck for construction over this 880.     And looks a hell of a lot better.

100_1236.JPG

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14 hours ago, Dirtymilkman said:

Those headlights look ridiculous in that truck! The more I studied them, the uglier it became. 

Those headlights were the thing that really stood out (ugly as hell) to me. Then there was nothing redeeming about the rest of the truck in my opinion. 

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The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by the people who vote for a living.

The government can only "give" someone what they first take from another.

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They say the W900 isnt going anywhere I dont understand the need of this model if they are not going to stop making the W900 ,why make this ? When freightlinet made both the classic FLD 120/132 and the first gen coronado novody bought the coronado ,they had to stop making the ckassic to get people into coronados .

Edited by logtruckman
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