Western Star Unveils All-New 5700XE Aerodynamic On-Highway Tractor

[kscarbel2]

Fleet Owner / September 11, 2014

Sensing that its core customer group of small and medium-size fleets is now buying more trucks, Daimler’s Western Star unit launched a new highway tractor offering improved fuel efficiency while maintaining the brand’s classic styling.

The company’s new 5700XE — the XE stands for “extreme efficiency” — was unveiled at a Sept. 11 press event in this Las Vegas suburb, with executives for the original equipment manufacturer saying they will start taking orders “this fall,” begin limited production around April 1 and full production around July 1.

Western Star will offer in-house powertrain options from Daimler’s Detroit components subsidiary, including three Detroit DD-series engines, the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission and Detroit-brand axles. While the truck is available only with the Detroit engines — engines from independent manufacturer Cummins Inc. are not offered — Western Star will offer choices with other powertrain components.

“We want this truck to be better-looking than anything else out there, but also for it to have great fuel efficiency,” Western Star General Manager Michael Jackson told editors and reporters. Jackson said the 5700XE will give his brand access to more truck buyers across the United States and Canada as the OEM tries to increase market share.

“We’ve been strong where we played, but they have been extremely small, niche-y segments,” marketing director Ann Demitruk said. She said the 5700XE will allow the OEM to broaden its appeal.

The truck will be produced at Daimler’s Cleveland, North Carolina, plant. Western Star is based in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

The 5700 can be used in a variety of over-the-road applications, including longhaul truckload, less-than-truckload and bulk or refrigerated transport, the company said.

Pictures: http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=35992&t=Western-Star-Unveils-5700XE

For reasons unknown, Western Star (Daimler) has pulled the original 5700XE video and replaced it with the one below.

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[kscarbel2]

Western Star adds an aero highway tractor

Fleet Owner / September 11, 2014

Best known for its vocational and heavy-haul Class 8 models, Western Star Trucks is expanding into the aerodynamic on-highway market with an all-new model. Shown publically for the first time at a press conference here, the Western Star 5700XE combines the fuel efficency of an aerodynamic package and optimized drivetrain with styling that echoes the brand's more traditional image, according to the company.

With less than 3% U.S./Canadian market share in Class 8, Western Star is a relatively small truck maker, but as part of Daimler Trucks North America, it had access to its parent company's advance powertrains and aerodynamic expertise in developing the new model, according to general manager Michael Jackson. The result is a new tractor with styling quite distinct from other aerodynamic trucks on the market combined with the most efficient integrated Daimler powertrain technologies, he said.

Daimler's Detroit will supply the 5700XE's three engine displacement choices -- the DD13, DD15 and DD16 with ratings up to 600 hp. The standard transmission for all three engines will be the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission, although buyers will be able to spec an Eaton manual transmission as an option. The 5700's standard axles will also be supplied by Detroit, although Meritor drive axles will be available as options, and the only suspension offered will be Daimler's Airliner air suspension.

The new 5700's most fuel-efficient powertrain will combine a new version of the DD15 that generates 400 hp and 1750 lbs. ft. peak torque at 1300 rpm. Combined with a specially calibrated DT12 transmission and final gear ratios of 2.41 for a 6x4 Detroit rear axle or 2.28 for a 6x2, that highly integrated powertrain will deliver up to a 15% fuel efficiency improvement over Western Start's current on-highway 4900FE model, according to Brad Williamson, DTNA's manager of engine and component marketing.

Williamson added that starting in 2015 all DT12 transmission will have a new intelligent powertrain management system that uses 3D mapping and GPS to look up to three miles down the road so it can automatically adjust engine and brake performance to maximize fuel efficiency.

Characterizing the 5700's styling as "edgy," Western Star dir. of marketing Ann Demitruk said that design elements like sharp edges along its fenders and bumper endcap "fangs" not only provided its distinctive look, but also added to the new truck's overall aerodynamics.

"The rounded aero look didn't fit Western Star's iconic look," said senor designer Don Vena. His team retained the brand's traditional "motorcycle fenders," but added angles and edges to better manage airflow. Similarly they kept the traditional rectangular headlight shape, but fitted them with projector lamps and LEDs for improved visibility.

While the design team brought in customers to critique their ideas, the engineering team refined them in DTNA's full-sized wind tunnel, according to Jesus Gomez, dir. of engineering. Looking at wind coming from a wide range of angles, the design and engineering teams achieved an average 12% reduction in drag compared to the 4900FE, he said.

Western Star's 245 dealers will begin taking orders for the new 5700XE in the Fall. Production at DTNA's Cleveland, NC, truck plant is schedule to begin next March or April, according to Jackson.

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[kscarbel2]

“We want this truck to be better-looking than anything else out there.........” Western Star General Manager Michael Jackson told editors and reporters.

This is the most hideous looking monstrosity I’ve seen in years (What were they thinking?).

Navistar should be happy though, as the 5700XE allows their Lonestar to move up a notch from worst looking to second worst looking heavy truck in America.

[bullhusk]

It almost looks like the new K/W

[Dirtymilkman]

Is that a shaker cab or western star cab?

[Bigdogtrucker]

If they wanted it to look better than anything out there,they should have brought back the Autocar cab

[41chevy]

Saw the intro, a lot of computer Gizmo's on it, IMO. But it is made in the U.S.A. in Carolina. With all the EPA and White House mandates, coming CAFE requirement and California's madness, it is what it is. Paul

[Vladislav]

Sounds like interesting news to me.

[MackMann85]

Being made at a Freightliner plant, I wonder how much is still actually a Western Star. Any idea if it is still their cab and chassis?

[41chevy]

Being made at a Freightliner plant, I wonder how much is still actually a Western Star. Any idea if it is still their cab and chassis?

Freightliners corp puts on the site where the major components and different class trucks are made.

Gastonias Components and Logistics in Gastonia North Carolina does the chassis and cab components and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp in Gaffney South Carolina does the vocational, bus and motorhome chassis'. Axles come from Axle Alliance Corp in Michigan, Detroits are from Michagian too.

[DailyDiesel]

Sounds like they are more American made than most other rigs on the roads these days.

[Green Dash]

As Paul said, it is what it is. You have to give the folks paying the bills what they want if you want to sell trucks.

I don't care much for the big piece of stainless on the bumper, It looks like it has braces. I hereby christen this truck "Fender Face".

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[kscarbel2]

I find it odd that Daimler kept the truck roped off, preventing the media from touching or looking inside the truck (and taking any pictures of the interior).

[kscarbel2]

Driving the new Western Star 5700XE

Truck News / September 15, 2014

The only thing more exhilarating than the view of the Nevada desert over the hood of my Western Star 5700, was the view of another Western Star 5700 in my West Coast mirrors.

This is a truck that when seen from the exterior will steal your attention for more than a moment. And yet it’s also a truck you can feel good about owning and operating, because it’s a Western Star that can finally compete with other aerodynamic models in terms of fuel efficiency. Still, Western Star designers stayed true to the brand’s heritage by creating a truck that looks nothing like the others that comprise this segment.

If you were to trace the outline of the various fuel-efficient models on the market today and leave the insides blank, it would take a discerning eye to differentiate them. The same cannot be said of the 5700XE, which somehow manages to eschew the rounded, jelly bean-styled design of other leading models while attaining fuel economy that the EPA considers good enough to place within the same bin as the others under its greenhouse gas emissions program.

T-shirts worn by Western Star people at the truck’s launch declared the 5700 brought an edge to aero, which is an appropriate tagline for this truck.

After a high-profile launch before more than a dozen trucking industry journalists in Sin City, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to stay behind and put the truck through its paces over a two-hour journey in and around Las Vegas. The 5700 I drove had a 72-inch sleeper, an EPA13 Detroit Diesel DD13 engine rated at 455 hp/1,550 lb.-ft. and the DT12, 12-speed direct drive automated manual transmission.

This is the integrated Detroit powertrain that the company says will provide a significant portion of the fuel savings customers will see from this truck, compared to previous Western Star vehicles. They’ve opted to make the truck available only with Detroit power and no other automated manual will be offered. Yes, there’s a risk some Cummins loyalists may be unhappy with this decision, but Western Star officials are confident enough in the product that they feel demand for the new truck will be such that customers will accept the Detroit powertrain and then become converted, once they experience its efficiency and performance.

Aside from the Detroit powertrain, further gains come from the redesigned front end, which better directs airflow over and around the cab. Interestingly, this is the same base cab you’ll find on traditional Western Star models, including its vocational offerings. The Western Star cab is known for its steep windshield, which is not exactly conducive to aerodynamics. However, engineers discovered ways to help assist the air up over that windshield. The most visible of these enhancements is a kick panel on the hood, just before the windshield, that directs air up and over the cab. This air ramp, if you will, doesn’t impact visibility over the hood as long as your seat is properly positioned.

The front bumper has been redesigned to keep air from getting caught up in the wheel wells. Two end sections dubbed ‘fangs’ (yes, even the bumper end caps on this truck have attitude) reduce wind resistance without detracting from the truck’s unique look. The Western Star 5700 has a distinctive face that’s unlike any other truck in the marketplace.

The raised center section of the hood has been carried over and this section on the truck I drove was painted matte black, reducing glare off the hood. The sun visor has also been kept, which helps direct air over top the roof cap. Other aerodynamic improvements come in the form of fairings and flares that encourage air to flow to where it will provide minimal disruption to the vehicle’s forward progress.

Inside, this truck is unmistakably a Western Star. The most notable upgrade is a redesigned wood and leather steering wheel with controls placed at the driver’s fingertips, which allow the driver to scroll through the information on the driver display, flash the marker lights or to control the cruise, Bluetooth, radio, etc.

However, while other models have transitioned to a more automotive-styled driver environment, the 5700 is pure truck. The signal light stalk is heavy, the gauges large and the dash has a classic, driver-friendly layout. The driver display area is small compared to other models, which limits the likelihood of distraction and also helps retain the classic look of the interior.

Western Star has brought over from the vocational segment some serviceability features, including easy access to the fuse panels and power distribution module, which can be accessed from the passenger seat by simply removing four bolts. The entire panel can be pulled out from its home here for easy serviceability – a vocational feature that technicians will appreciate just as much on an on-highway tractor.

The 5700 uses the same honeycomb-style sleeper cab that’s offered on its previous models. Its lightweight construction means the 5700’s total weight compares more favourably to other aero models as the sleeper size increases. There has always been a perception that the Western Star is a heavy truck due to its steel cab, however the truck I drove weighed in at a very respectable 17,500 lbs and that was with disc brakes and that 72-inch sleeper.

The Western Star 5700 provided an exceptionally steady ride, particularly while cornering, an attribute that stems in part from its wide cab mounts.

It was comfortable to drive, particularly with the DT12 automated transmission. There are some surprisingly steep grades outside Vegas, including a long 6% climb near Summerlin, which tested the DD13. It was up to the challenge, though I bet many Canadian customers will opt for the DD15, which will net better fuel economy when you’re running the hills. Climbing that long 6 percenter, I was able to employ the kick-down feature available on the DD13/DT12 combo, which when the pedal was depressed to the floor dropped a gear and provided a little extra torque to manage the climb.

The DT12’s paddle shifter allowed me to drop a gear or activate the engine brake without reaching to the dash.

Another nice feature available on the Western Star 5700 is Meritor Wabco’s OnGuard collision mitigation system. I’ve experienced it before, but not in heavy traffic such as that I encountered returning to the city. When in cruise control OnGuard measures the distance to other vehicles in front of the truck and applies the engine and service brakes as necessary to maintain a safe following distance. It took some getting used to, before I was willing to really trust the system but after a few miles of interacting with heavy traffic I found I was able to place my trust in the system and let it do its thing.

OnGuard seems to have been dialed in; it didn’t overreact to vehicles that momentarily cut into my personal space, as long as those vehicles were moving faster than I was and quickly got out of my way. When cruise isn’t set, audible warnings will alert you to potential danger but it’s up to the driver to adjust his or her speed as necessary. OnGuard is a really nice option to have, especially in traffic.

My daytime drive didn’t give me the opportunity to check out the improved lighting system offered in the 5700 but officials claim a new projector beam headlight design provides much better nighttime visibility. I know they look good from outside; we got a sneak peek at the 5700 after dark and the headlights ensure you can identify this truck even when it’s dark out. A thin LED accent strip along the top and outside edges of the lamp give it a distinctive appearance.

Only a handful of 5700s have been built and it was exciting to be among the first to drive one. Now the race is one to see who’ll be the first to own them. This is a truck that will stand out on the highway and separate its owners from the herd. Production is scheduled to begin next April and will ramp up over the summer. When it comes to design and drivability, the Western Star 5700 hit not just home runs, but grand slams. If its fuel-efficiency comes in on target and it’s priced right, this truck may finally allow the brand to break through into the on-highway tractor segment in a big way.

[Dirtymilkman]

I guess it looks like the pete or kenworth now. Just a little more accents.