International Details Class 8 Model Upgrades for 2020 Model Year

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Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT)  /  October 24, 2019

International LT and RH Series on-highway vehicles will get a host of aerodynamic and engine enhancements for the 2020 model year. Both Class 8 truck models will receive new features benefiting from advances in aerodynamics, powertrain and software systems that will enhance fuel efficiency throughout the 2020 product lineup. Fuel efficiency improvement for the LT Series will be up to 8.2%, when comparing a fully equipped 2020 model to a unit built just one year earlier.

According to International new 2020 aerodynamic enhancements include:

• Enhanced roof fairings
• Day cab extenders that are 12" longer, closing the tractor-trailer gap
• Sleeper cab extenders are 3" longer, reducing the tractor-trailer gap
• Steering wheel closeouts around the front tire
• Longer chassis skirt Vidon strips, which enhance aerodynamics and are damage resistant
• New cab-to-skirt closeouts to further reduce wind drag
• 1" lower bumper valence
• Flow Below 2.0 design, optimized for the International LT Series

"Keeping the airflow 'attached' to the vehicle can result in smoother airflow around the vehicle, reducing turbulence that can increase drag and decrease fuel efficiency," noted Chet Ciesielski, vice president, On-Highway Business, Navistar. "That's why International has introduced a range of aerodynamic features to help improve customers' profitability."

Both trucks will receive additional new engine options also designed to boost fuel efficiency as well. Chief among these are improvements to the Cummins X15 engine in the LT Series, which International says will give 2020 models 2.8% better fuel efficiency over earlier versions of the Cummins X15.

Predictive cruise control will now be standard on 2020 LT Series, RH Series and the International LoneStar trucks. International said the predictive cruise control system allows drivers to set an average cruise speed, and the customer to define an allowable range above and below that average. The vehicle will then use topographical map data with the onboard GPS to adjust vehicle speed for maximum fuel efficiency and reduced foundation brake wear.

With Predictive Cruise Control, and using the International A26 engine, which is also available for 2020 International Class 8 models, International said drivers can anticipate an average of 2% savings in fuel efficiency, based on a 50/50 mix of flat and hilly terrain.