Showtime!

In-depth

16 Jun

The Brisbane Truck Show returned this year bigger and better in every way. Every major truck manufacturer was there, barring Scania, who opted for client drive days at the AARC Test Facility at Anglesea (V).

An eye-opener, I suggest even for the assembled truck journos, was the plethora of alternative fuel powered trucks on display. Ten OEM’s displayed some 22 BEV’s. In addition, there were Fuel Cell, Hydrogen, LPG, LPG/D and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) power options displayed. Their presence in such numbers would have given pause for thought to the alt-power sceptics, and that’s no bad thing because, like it or not, it’s coming.

**Kenworth K220 - Winner, Truck of the Year Australasia**

Whilst there is no doubt that things will change in the future, diesel power is still king in Australia and the manufacturers certainly put their best foot forward in this regard. Kenworth had their cab over K 220 centre stage and for good reason. This truck won the inaugural Truck of the Year Australasia, against quality opposition from Iveco’s brand-new S-Way, MAN’s TG3 and Fuso’s Shogun 510. One point of contention was that Auto Emergency Braking is an option on the KW whilst standard on the other three finalists.

The K220 was joined by a T909, T610 and various other specimens of the brand, but I don’t remember spying their Legend SAR. No matter, there was a beautiful specimen from Exodas transport on display elsewhere in the building.

Paccar’s DAF Division displayed a euro six XF but one of the stars of the show for me at least was the new DAF XG+ which won International Truck of the Year in 2022. A beautiful truck from any angle both inside and out.

Along with the plethora of electric, Daimler displayed a good-looking Fuso Shogun 510 tipper, developed specially and exclusively for Australasia. A 25th anniversary Mercedes-Benz Actros ‘Driver Edition’ had all the bells and whistles – both in finish and in safety. Grab one while you can. Freightliner showed up with a road train version of the 126 Cascadia, complete with a 60 inch bunk - the only way to travel in Australia’s outback. Freightliner’s Stephen Downes was keen to point out the slippery design of the Cascadia, which along with their next generation DD engines is a major factor in fuel use reduction.

Daimler would have won Stand of the Show had it not been canned this year.

**Daimler also placed trucks around the CBD**

Volvo’s diesel offering was a striking, multi-coloured FH 16 although it wasn’t quite diesel, as it was powered, as were all Volvo ICE trucks at the show, by HVO. The FH sat alongside a Big Bunk (70 inch) Mack Anthem which pumps out 685 horses, again on HVO. By the by, HVO reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95%. Everything to gain with no loss in power.

Completing the Volvo stand was the impressive Mack SuperLiner and the UD Quon 8 x 4 agitator with AMT transmission. Amongst every safety feature you could imagine, the truck is fitted with Blindspot information which detects moving vehicles and vulnerable road users 7 metres in front and 30 metres to the rear. Given the tight areas in which this type of truck will work, UD can rightly consider this a game changer.

Penske displayed their new Western Star X–Series, including the 49X with its home-away-from home 72 inch Stratosphere sleeper. There were also keen to point out the three MAN trucks on display from their small cab, 250 Hp multi-purpose vehicle to the brand-new 640 Hp, big cab. Their TGX was named International Truck of the Year in 2021. MAN’s new truck generation is the first from the German OEM two decades and consequently attracted a lot of attention.

Iveco officially unveiled their new S-Way at the show. I’ve driven this truck and was mightily impressed by it. Hot off the boat (literally) was the company’s brand-new T-Way. Taking over from the popular Trakker range, it was displayed as a 4x4, with 6 x 6 and 8 x 4 configurations available. A mean looking truck, to say it had ‘presence, is an understatement. This is a truck that says loudly and clearly, “get out of my way!”

Hino displayed its 3, 5 and 700 Series. The 700 was launched during Covid and as such the BTS was its first public display. At the smaller end of the market the company is pushing its 300 Series hybrid–electric truck. Hybrid-electric power has been available in Hino’s since 2007 but to relatively new VP, Richard Emery’s surprise, it seems most people don’t know of its existence.

Pure Hydrogen unveiled the first Hydrogen Fuel Cell prime mover in Australia. – The Taurus is Australian designed and to say that it stands out from the pack is an understatement. We’ll let the attached photograph do the talking. Leased to PepsiCo, the truck will soon be seen running around Brisbane suburbs. You won’t miss it!

These stands were just the tip of the iceberg at BTS. Cummins displayed their X15 fuel-agnostic engine design where different heads will cater to diesel, natural gas or hydrogen.