Mack’s Anthem

In-depth

19 Jan

The all-new Mack Anthem has launched in Australia and I reckon there’ll be a few out there who will ‘sing’ along enthusiastically. Not only is the new beast ruggedly handsome with its blend of curves accentuated with sharp creases, but the brand has at last taken it up to the Europeans in terms of tech.

The new, locally engineered and Australian built Mack Anthem makes a striking new statement in exterior and interior design. Powered by the proven 13 litre Euro 5 MP8 engine with horsepower ratings ranging from 435 to 535hp and 1655-1920lb-ft of torque, the Anthem is set to tackle all manner of transport applications, from vocational rigid roles to B-double highway hauler.

The bold new look manages to capture aerodynamic efficiency whilst retaining a hard-edged profile. Aerodynamic gains have been aided by closing gaps between panels and minimising seams. Even the tow hooks in the 3-piece bumper have been covered to assist with air flow.

A single point bonnet latch makes daily checks safer and easier, reducing the effort needed to tilt the bonnet. All exterior lighting is now handled by LEDs, boosting headlight output by 66% over previous incandescent bulbs.

The Mack Anthem comes in sleeper or day cab configurations and will be available as 6x4 and 8x4 rigids, or as a 6x4 prime mover.

On the safety front, an integrated Bendix Wingman Fusion active safety system is standard equipment, providing adaptive cruise control, blind spot alerts, autonomous braking and roll stability.

A 36-inch integrated stand up sleeper cab is now an option for Anthem (and Trident and Super-Liner models). The new cab features 1.8 metres of headroom in the cockpit – allowing additional overhead storage - and 2.1 metres of headroom in the sleeper compartment.

The bunk sports an inner-spring mattress as standard with sturdy overhead storage cupboards. LED courtesy lighting, 12-volt power outlets as well as USB charging ports are also featured in the new sleeper cab. A slide out under-bunk fridge is an optional extra. Exterior locker boxes can also be accessed from the inside of the truck by lifting the bed.

A new interior design brings large, easy to read analogue gauges along with well-placed laser-etched rocker switches. The mDrive transmission controls remain on the dash panel, however controlling the Powerleash engine brake is now done via a steering column mounted multi-function stalk.

A 5-inch colour digital Co-Pilot display makes navigating various digital menus and functions a breeze while on the move. The integration of the Bendix safety system now means that much of the system’s functionality can be accessed via the Co-Pilot display.

The mDrive automated manual transmission gets some extra low gearing with the arrival of the mDrive HD and mDrive XHD transmissions. By providing options of deep reduction gearing these transmissions offer safer heavy hauling at high gross weights with excellent start ability/gradeability, eliminating the need for auxiliary transmissions.

The 13-speed mDrive HD offers a single reduction gear that not only helps for heavy lift offs, it also allows fuel conscious highway operators to specify taller final drive ratios to maximise fuel efficiency. The 14-speed mDrive XHD offers heavy haulage operators safe and flexible handling of big loads.

An innovative feature of these gearboxes is “Rock Free” mode which allow the driver to rock the truck back and forwards easily if needing to gain traction off-road. There’s a “Power Launch” function for off-road low-traction starts, as well as Heavy-Duty and Maxi-Duty transmission modes for high GCM operation.

Both transmissions are available behind both the 13 litre MP8 and 16 litre MP10 engines.

**Anthem with sleepercab - this is one sharp looking truck**

New electrical architecture across the range not only provides a smarter truck it’s also more connected. Optional Predictive Cruise control allow the truck to record topographic data to optimise engine and transmission performance and, consequently, save fuel.

“I’m very excited to see these new trucks emerge from our Wacol factory,” says Vice President Mack Trucks, Gary Bone. “The Anthem takes our brand in a bold new direction and our new stand up sleeper cab gives long haul operators a fantastic new environment to both work and rest in.

“The Mack brand has built up an enviable reputation over the last century for building tough uncompromising trucks that get the job done in some of the most inhospitable environments on the planet.” “The addition of the HD and XHD automated manual transmission only adds to that heavy haulage pedigree.”

Orders for the new range can be placed from early February.