Kenworth Interior Color Palette
Kenworth has announced its latest available color selections for its Diamond, Splendor and Gallery Interior linings on W900, T800, T600 and C500 models. The company now offers five popular color selections in both the trademark "Diamond" and "Splendor" interiors. Primary and secondary color combinations include slate gray and dark slate gray; desert tan and dark desert tan; steel blue and dark steel blue; jet black and jet black; and Bordeaux red and dark Bordeaux red. Each combination also includes a coordinating trim color.
In addition, Kenworth's Gallery interior offers three primary and trim color combinations, respectively, including dark desert tan and dark desert tan; slate gray and dark slate gray; and jet black and dark slate gray. Kenworth also offers an option for a black dash on the W900, T800, T600 and C500 models.
ZF Introduces Several New Innovations
The German transmission specialist ZF has introduced a number of innovations in its line-up of heavy-duty components sold in North America. Included is an upward expansion of the torque capacity of the ASTronic, or FreedomLine, as it is marketed here by ZF Meritor. Now the fully automated transmission extends upwards from the previous limit of 1,850 pounds-feet to accommodate even the highest torques available from North American engines. Additionally, the ZF Ecomat torque-converter transmission has been upgraded with new seal and elastomer materials to accommodate higher operating temperatures likely to be experienced with post-'02 emissions engines.
Also new is a medium/heavy truck independent front suspension that will likely see the first application worldwide on a North American chassis from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.
Other products from the diverse ZF product offering include active and semi-active shock absorbers from the Sachs subsidiary that enhance heavy truck ride, handling and stability.
Introduced as the continuous damper control (CDC) and pneumatic damper control (PDC) technology, these units not only optimize vehicle suspension for ride and handling safety, they also contribute to a significant lessening of highway damage.
These developments are all headed for North America or likely will be applicable in the early future.
Bendix Launches Smart ATC ABS
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has launched ABS with Smart ATC, an automatic traction control system that responds to different driving situations. Bendix says Smart ATC can distinguish between -- and appropriately respond to -- situations such as accelerating uphill and entering a curve. It responds with a level of traction control appropriate to each situation, giving more power to the driver when necessary, says Bendix.
The system also senses curves in the road (through wheel-speed sensors) and if wheel slip is detected, it will more aggressively modulate braking to control and slow the vehicle. In contrast, standard ATC systems limit engine torque wheel spin when the ATC is activated, often making it more difficult to power uphill, the company says.
Delo Extended Life Coolant
ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants has introduced Delo Extended Life Coolant, the latest addition to the company's line of automotive and heavy duty vehicle products, which is especially needed in EGR engines, says the company.
Delo ELC uses a patented carboxylate technology and contains no silicate, phosphate, borate or nitrate. The long-life inhibitors do not deplete, as many other types of coolant are known to do. Delo ELC exceeds the requirements for the American Society of Testing and Materials, TMC and all major diesel engine manufacturers.
Delo ELC provides long service-life protection, superior corrosion protection, long water-pump seal life, and excellent heat transfer, according to the company. This can translate into reduced vehicle maintenance and less downtime.
The new product will be available in both concentrate form and pre-diluted 50/50 for immediate use. It will be sold in bulk, drums and one-gallon jugs.
Ford 6-Liter Power Stroke
A horsepower race has developed among manufacturers of heavy duty pickups, and Ford is now king -- at least of diesels. Its new International-built Power Stroke V-8 has leapfrogged ahead of the competition in both power and torque.
The new 6-liter Power Stroke makes 325 hp and 560 pounds-feet, compared to the 305/555 from the just-shown Dodge Cummins Turbodiesel and 300/520 from General Motors' Duramax, introduced two years ago. The new engine replaces the 7.3-liter diesel.
International also uses the new 6-liter diesel, which it calls the VT365, in its medium-duty 4200 model, but its commercial-style ratings are far lower than Ford's. More than nine out of 10 of the new engines will go to Ford for use in its popular pickups and other light trucks, both firms say.
Ford recently demonstrated the Power Stroke in its latest SuperDuty F250 and F350 pickups at a press event. It hitched heavy trailers to its vehicles and to the latest Dodge and Chevrolet heavy pickups, and let reporters make judgments on acceleration, hill climbing and quietness. As one might expect, Ford's trucks came out best.
Most comparisons were apples-to-apples, with similar vehicle configurations and engine ratings. However, Dodge suffered in the diesel comparison because its high-output Cummins cannot yet be had with an automatic transmission. Ford, contending that most customers buy an automatic, matched its 325-hp Power Stroke against the 250-hp Dodge-Cummins. Of course, the Dodge couldn't perform as well in any power contest.
Ford's new Torqshift five-speed automatic performed well behind the V-8 diesel, with smooth, almost imperceptible up- and down-shifts. A Tow mode holds upshifts and induces downshifts on downgrades and while braking to a stop. In most ways it imitates the Allison 1000 that GM uses in its Duramax-powered Chevy and GMC pickups, but the Torqshift seems smoother.
Ford continues its "three-cab strategy" in pickups, with two-door regular cab, four-door SuperCab and four-door SuperCrew models. So does GM, with similar models, but Dodge has dropped its extended Club Cab and has only regular and Quad Cab versions. The rear seat area in Ford's SuperCrew is decidedly roomier than the Dodge, and calibrated sound meters showed that all Fords were quieter during hill climbing than competitors' trucks by one to four decibels on the A scale.
SkyFi XM Satellite Radio
Pana-Pacific has introduced the SkyFi XM Satellite Radio by Delphi Products & Service Solutions. Available at OEM truck dealer and truckstop locations beginning this month, this next-generation, plug-and-play satellite radio works in the truck, car, home, office -- almost anywhere you want to enjoy XM Satellite radio. According to the company, the compact receiver/controller unit has advanced features, including a large display that shows five channels at a time while scrolling through the XM channels. SkyFi also comes with a remote control for convenience.
The Vehicle Adapter Kit allows the receiver to adapt to any existing vehicle stereo system, and the SkyFi Home Adapter Kit is adaptable to most home or workplace audio systems, and it can connect directly to a set of multimedia speakers. The SkyFi Audio System, which is a boombox that contains a pair of high quality speakers with integrated antenna, will be available the first quarter of 2003.
