Next In-Production ATS truck speculation

[Wolfi]

Are there any alternative fuels more interesting than electricity though?
Hydrogen power, technically is still electricity, just more explosive (albeit, with longer range).
LPG/CNG aren't very efficient for heavy cargo and again ,you have explody tanks on the trucks.
As much as people hate it (for some reason) electricity will become the main fuel type in the not-so-far away future.

[Izmaragon]

Forgive me, but your wording triggered a picture in my brain of a truck that had liquid fuel hydrogen rocket boosters... Something that I tend to see in my mind alot as I'll see very slow trucks chugging up Sunset Hill...

A truck with rockets... Just thought I'd pass the image on..

[flight50]

I'd say the W900 will stick around for as long as people don't want the W990, but I can assure you, the moment W990 sales surpass the W900, it will be gone. Though given how traditional and "nostalgia-locked" Americans are, it won't happen anytime soon.

That's a possibility. But it hasn't happened yet so it's an opinion. If the intent actually was to replace, Kenworth deserves a round of applause for being smart. The old saying is, don't fix it, if it's not broken. They kept the W900 in production while introducing another option. If it doesn't take, they still have the W9. 5 years in, the W9 is still in. Until Kenworth announces the W900 is no more, it's a matter of speculation.

[Wolfi]

True, that's why I'm curious about the 589. Because as I said, it's not that different from 389 it's meant to replace. Same hood, same sleeper, just the actual workplace is better. I winder if US drivers will choose the better option, or if they will stick with classic, claustrophobic one.

[flight50]

Good question for the 589. The minor thing with that one, the 389 and 589 appearance wise has a lot more similarities with the nose and then the sleeper is recycled. The W900 and the W990 have identical chassis and drivetrain specs only. Its a tad different but kinda the same, lol. I can see the 589 replacing the 389 more than the W990 replacing the W900 though. The 589 still keeps the classic look. The W990 loses the classic look altogether.

[pigbrother]

567 had a similar idea, however, being more a vocational than a real OTR truck is hard to analyse its success (or lack thereof) and extrapolate for the future 589.

[LegoTechnicFanBoi]

@Wolfi what do you think about Plug-in Hybrid?

[Wolfi]

Honestly, if 589 picks up, it will be a win-win scenario. Drivers get classic look with better cab (and potentially Ultraloft cab option) Peterbilt switches all their trucks to using the same cabs, because yes - even new gen 579 does use the same sleeper as 389.

@LegoTechnicFanBoi I think if done right, it could be a great solution for a truck. Yes, you need a bit of a heavy battery, which would reduce fuel tank size, but at the same time, you get an electric engine, that could assist trucks in the least fuel efficient moment - accelerating. And with a quick charger placed next to fuel distributor (assuming it could be done safely), it wouldn't be too much of a hassle to charge it a bit while refueling. I think it's best of both worlds and in case of trucks it makes a lot of sense.

[flight50]

The 589/579 is more similar to the 57x/49x/Cascadia. Recycle the best part drivers like and change the front end. Perfect the aerodynamics of the sleeper and keep it in tact. Don't change what drivers like. The front end can change 2 million times and not effect too much. Change that sleeper and they'd piss people off.

[Texshi]

Personally I think it's vice versa with a Peterbilt in terms of sleeper front.. I like the front to stay the same but the sleeper can be unique all the way around from coffins 40”, 44”, 58”, 63” 72”, 80” 84”