Brisbane technology blitz

from NZ Truck & Driver July 2023

Fruehauf still ahead in trailer market

By Colin Smith

NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRANSPORT WAS LIKELY SHORT-HANDED for a few days in mid-May, judging from the big number of Kiwis in attendance at the Brisbane Truck Show.

The biennial event didn’t miss a 2021 edition due to Covid-19 restrictions, but that show didn’t deliver the full scope of previous editions. In 2023 the crowds were back, companies flew in international executives, and New Zealand visitors returned in force.

The four-day event drew an attendance of 42,855 through the doors of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Plus, plenty of interest in peripheral events and displays around Brisbane that put the industry in the public eye.

The Brisbane show is regarded as the largest truck industry show in the Southern Hemisphere. The key theme this year mirrored that of recent Northern Hemisphere shows with significant attention on battery electric and hydrogen transport alternatives.

Perhaps the biggest actual surprise of the show also turned into something of a disappointment for some Kiwis in attendance. Unmissable in acid yellow on the Paccar stand was a new generation DAF XG+ being previewed as a 15-litre, 660hp tractor unit for Road Train work.

With no 15-litre engine in the Paccar family it was quickly evident that DAF plans an Australia-only version of the XG+ using the highest output version of the upcoming third generation Cummins X15 engine.

Southpac Trucks staff were in attendance and confirmed that while the new DAF XF, XG and XG+ are scheduled for a 2025 debut in New Zealand, it will be an all-Paccar engine line-up this side of the Tasman with 13-litres the biggest displacement on offer.

The 660hp solution will be unique to Australia and built at the Bayswater plant in Victoria. It’s specifically targeted at the A-double, B-triple, and high-utilisation B-double linehaul segments.

The Paccar stand also showcased the diesel, electric and hydrogen themes of the show.

Fresh from a 10-truck trial on public roads in California was a hydrogen fuel cell electric Kenworth T680. Not just a show visitor, the truck will remain in Australia to be used in a research project with Deakin University.

The T680 has a hydrogen fuel cell power unit jointly developed jointly by PACCAR and Toyota in the US. The 630hp tractor unit carries 60kg of hydrogen gas stored at 10,000 psi to supply enough energy to the fuel cell for a range of 480km, with a 15-minute refuelling time.

The truck represents the first generation of collaboration between PACCAR and Toyota Motor North America. They have recently announced the expansion of joint efforts to develop and produce zero emissions Kenworth trucks powered by Toyota’s nextgeneration hydrogen fuel cell modules. Initial customer deliveries in North America are planned for 2024.

Battery electric technology was also showcased with the show debut of the DAF LF Electric. The 19-tonne zero emissions distribution truck has a 260kW electric motor powered by a 282kWh battery pack, offering a range of up to 280km.

The Brisbane show also the first major truck show appearance of the new Kenworth K220, which was attracting a lot of attention. The K220 is a clear evolution of the K200 design with a new roof profile improving aerodynamic efficiency by 4%.

Other visual highlights of the K220 are new LED headlamps with integrated indicators and daytime running lights while the cab benefits from new comfort features and a dash layout evolved from the North American T680 model.

A key part of the K220 offering is the all-new 18-speed Endurant XD Pro automated transmission which was on display at the EatonCummins stand.

Lighter, and reportedly smoother than previous automated options, the Endurant XD Pro is engineered for reduced fuel and maintenance costs.

The new AMT was recently released by the Eaton-Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies joint venture. Specifically designed and engineered for higher GCM applications, the new Endurant XD Pro is the lowest weight transmission Eaton has released for heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Accompanying the new 18-speed AMT where the Endurant HD 12-speed AMT, and a MD four-speed automated gearbox specifically designed for electric vehicle applications.

Other highlights of the Paccar stand included a Kenworth T909 with a 50-inch sleeper and a T410SAR configured in a low-roof car carrier specification.

The Daimler Truck brands formed an impressive line-up and had news from each of its source points. Notably, Brisbane was the “down under” debut of the second generation Fuso eCanter.

The first generation eCanter has played a pioneering electric truck adoption in both New Zealand and Australia. The next generation is a significant advance offering increased range, additional safety features plus a fresh interior and exterior design.

A technical highlight of the eCanter is its e-axle, so-called because the electric motor and transmission are integrated with the rear axle. The layout means the prop shaft can be discarded and the design is lighter, reduces energy losses and opens up more possibilities for battery location.

The new e-motor has a maximum output of 129kW and 430Nm and new thermally-controlled batteries are available in three different packages.

There will also be an expanded eCanter line-up offering multiple wheelbases, weight ratings and a choice of City Cab or Wide Cab. And the introduction of an electric Power Take Off (ePTO) opens up the possibility for the truck’s electric power to operate tipper bodies, cranes, or even a fridge body.

Fuso says it will open the Australian order books for the next generation eCanter toward the end of this year and New Zealand is expected to be on a similar timetable.

The big stars of the three-pointed variety were also electric with the Australian debut of Mercedes-Benz electric eActros and eEconic models, ahead of a local validation programme for both trucks.

The eActros is focused on heavy-duty, short radius distribution roles while the eEconic is suited to municipal roles such as rubbish collection in densely populated areas where its excellent visibility, practicality and active safety features are further enhanced by its quiet and zero-emissions operation.

Local validation for the electric models will initially see four eActros trucks working in Australia and one unit in New Zealand. Two eEconic trucks will operate in Australia as part of the test programme and one is earmarked for New Zealand trials.

New combustion engine technology also had a prominent place at the Mercedes-Benz display with the official introduction of the new OM471 13-litre engine that achieves fuel efficiency gains of up to 4% in the Actros 530 models.

The Brisbane highlight for Freightliner was a top-of-the-range Cascadia 126 Road Train featuring a spacious 60-inch sleeper. The big Cascadia is also equipped with a factory-developed bullbar designed to protect the truck without affecting the operation of the front radar unit that forms part of the Detroit Assurance active safety pack.

The Freightliner display included a cut-away of a sleeper cab, allowing attendees to check out the comfort features of the spacious sleeper.

However, the newest product from the Daimler Truck family was located on the Penske stand where the all-new Western Star X-Series was making its show debut and receiving a lot of attention.

The range comprises 47X, 48X and 49X models for buyers wanting a traditional bonneted American truck. The X-Series represents a substantial leap forward in comfort and safety technology from anything previously carrying the Western Star badge.

Penske New Zealand National Retail and Fleet Sales Manager Chris Sansome was on hand to explain a few key differences between what the Australian market gets and what New Zealand will offer.

He said the biggest difference is an all-Detroit engine lineup for New Zealand and a focus on the 48X in factory-built 8x4 configuration as the replacement for the popular 4884.

The 47X and 49X have been available in North America for some time while the 48X is a unique for Australasia design.

The 47X has a set-back front axle and is rated at up to 72.5 tonnes GCM. It comes in either 6x4 or 8x4 configuration and while Australia offers a Cummins L9 (330-380hp) engine option, New Zealand will see the Gen 5 Detroit DD13 engine in 450-525hp output levels.

Exclusive to the Australasian market, the 48X can be powered by the Detroit DD13 Gen 5 or DD16 engines, is available at up to 130 tonnes GCM. It has a set-forward front axle and a choice of four sleeper cabins.

The 49X is powered by the Detroit DD16, has 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and is available with multiple cab options, including the largest cab on the Australian market, the 72-inch Stratosphere sleeper.

The UD Quon with its new features is a perfect example. Optimising operational efficiency through higher performance, productivity & fuel efficiency - the new Quon is designed to provide better outcomes for your business. Combine this with improved safety technology to protect drivers, road users and communities, and you will find the UD Quon ticks all of the boxes.

Detroit DD16 engines range from 500-600hp and the line-up includes the choice of the Detroit DT12, Allison automatic, and Eaton Fuller manual transmissions.

X-Series safety features include Active Brake Assist 5, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, side guard assist, tailgate warning, brake hold mode, an improved visibility package, and a RollTek driver’s seat with rollover restraint and a seatmounted airbag all available.

The Penske stand also featured new generation MAN Truck Generation (TG) models on show, although this is one new model range where New Zealand is several months ahead of Australia in the launch process.

The MAN show line-up included the 12t GVM TGL powered by a 250hp D08 SCR-only engine, the versatile 26t GVM TGX with MAN’s 13-litre D26 engine, and the TGX 26.640 with MAN’s flagship 15-litre 640hp engine and the spacious ‘maximum’ GX cab.

Another brand with electric aspirations is Isuzu and the Australian distributor must have worked hard to secure an example of the new Isuzu N Series electric that was on show for the first time outside of Japan.

The N Series EV was launched alongside a full model change of the light-duty N and medium-duty F Series range of trucks in Japan back in early March.

In reality the battery electric N seemed a little underwhelming in a Japan domestic specification – and the smallest size of cab and chassis. Small batteries and a propshaft connecting the electric motor to a conventional rear axle is a considerably less advanced solution that the integrated motor and axle that features on the second generation Fuso eCanter.

Interestingly, in contrast to Hyundai’s hydrogen focus in New Zealand the Brisbane attention was focused on the electric version of the Mighty, another truck already launched in the New Zealand market.

Iveco had plenty to show off and talk about. In the heavyweight category the new S-Way - which went on New Zealand roads before its Australian debut -lined up alongside the new T-Way, the replacement for the Trakker.

Iveco has high hopes for the T-Way, particularly in New Zealand’s ground spread and construction tipper sectors. It’s also another truck range for which the New Zealand model range differs from that launched in Australia.

New Zealand will get 6x4 models in addition to the 4x4, 6x6 and 8x4 configurations offered in Australia.

There is plenty of commonality between S-Way and T-Way, most significantly the range of Euro 6 (Step E) engines across the Cursor 9 and Cursor 13 engines with Iveco’s patented Hi-eSCR aftertreatment comprising Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, Diesel Particulate Filter, Selective Catalytic Reduction and Clean Up Catalyst.

The new Iveco eDaily made its debut outside of Europe in Brisbane and is confirmed as the first Iveco electric vehicle to be offered in ANZ markets.

In Europe the eDaily range is available in several van and cab/ chassis variants and with one, two or three batteries depending on configuration, with combined battery capacities of up to 111kWh producing power and torque of up to 140kW and 400Nm. That provides a loaded drive of up to 300km, which Iveco says is among the best of any electric light truck or large van available.

The show vehicle is a 70C cab chassis with 4350mm wheelbase, 7.2t GVM and three batteries; it is one of several models that will be tested locally in preparation for roll-out of the broader eDaily line-up.

Iveco has developed multiple charging options for the eDaily including standard onboard 11kW AC charger, optional 22kW onboard AC charger, or up to an 80kW DC fast charging. Depending on battery options, full charge times of between three and nine hours can be reached using the on-board chargers, and more than 80% charge can be achieved in under 90 minutes using DC fast charging.

Immediately after the Brisbane show the eDaily will be used for evaluation work in Australia.

Iveco says being based on the conventional Daily range will benefit bodybuilders with all the main electric components within the conventional chassis with no protruding parts. And the chassis itself carries the exact same body mounting positions as the diesel product, ensuring body fitment remains simple.

The place to see the heart of the DAF 660hp model was the Cummins stand where the display featured the next generation X15D engine in both Efficiency Series and Performance Series specification.

The entirely new 15-litre platform, will deliver the highest-ever outputs for a Cummins truck engine while setting new standards for fuel efficiency. It’s from the Performance Series that DAF will source the 660hp X15 for its Aussie only 6x4 tractor version of the XG+.

Only being developed in Euro 6 specification, field testing of the new engine began in Australia in 2021. The DAF 660 announcement was interesting as Cummins says there is no set date for release of the X15D in Australia and New Zealand.

Cummins says the X15D offers a dry weight reduction of 225kg compared with the current X15 and a unique cylinder design enables much higher peak cylinder pressures – 20% higher than the current engine – to improve power density and overall efficiency.

The latest evolution of Cummins’ XPI (Extreme Pressure Injection) fuel system, will enable ratings up to 660hp and massive peak torque of 2360 lb ft.

The early field trials of the 660hp X15D in Australia have shown fuel economy improvements of up to 8%. By the end of 2023, Cummins will have more than 10 trucks involved in the field trial with the aim of accumulating more than five million test kilometres. Cummins staff appeared busy fielding questions about its central engine display which introduced its so-called `fuel agnostic’ family of X15 engines. These near-future have been developed so a common engine block and bottom end can be fitted with specific cylinder head and induction systems for diesel, natural gas and hydrogen combustion.

Somewhat hidden and difficult to get a close look at on a small display area was the new hydrogen fuel cell electric truck that Pure Hydrogen will soon but to use on Australian roads.

The futuristic looking HD49T is being leased to PepsiCo Australia and will be used in Brisbane as a back-to-base truck taking product from factory to distribution centre on a daily basis. The company believes it will be a stepping-stone to help PepsiCo decarbonise.

Developed in partnership with HDrive, the HD49T has a range of

500km on a full tank of hydrogen.

Pure Hydrogen says it has other customers preparing for roll out of other projects and is taking orders from new customers. The company has many other models and designs available and suitable for different industries.

Pure Hydrogen is also developing hydrogen infrastructure including and has a proposed Moreton Bay Hydrogen Hub to the north of Brisbane where the company will be supplying green hydrogen.

One major truck brand was an obvious absentee from the Brisbane Truck Show with Scania opting not the attend this year. T&D