“We designed these new Kenworth medium duty trucks with our customers. Over the past several years, Kenworth actively sought, listened to and collected invaluable input and feedback from nearly 1,000 customers and drivers throughout the extensive design process,”
- Joe Adams, Kenworth chief engineer
Following the recent release of the Kenworth T680, Kenworth has taken things to a whole other level with the launch of their new line of medium-duty lineup of trucks! From straight trucks to tractor models, this new lineup ranges from Class 5 to light Class 8 arrays, and is the latest update of their medium-duty lineup since 2007! Versatile, this lineup features the Kenworth T180 (Class 5),Kenworth T280 (Class 6), Kenworth T380 (Class 7), and the Kenworth T480 (Class 8). If you’re in the market for a truck with front engine power take-off, or FEPTO, Kenworth offers the Kenworth T380V, equipped with full parent rails and fixed grille, and the Kenworth T480V, integrated with a vocational hood. With such a highly anticipated upgrade, our team at Kenworth Louisiana has compiled a list of what makes this new medium-duty truck lineup so special. Explore the new features and trims of Kenworth’s latest medium-duty commercial trucks and stop by our truck dealership today!
With the new 2021 lineup, Kenworth engineers designed the interior of the medium-duty truck lineup to be more versatile and accommodating. The interior cab of each medium duty truck is 2.1 meters, making them 8 inches wider! A larger cab provides a safer driving experience while on the road, as the new interior design reduces cab noise by up to 50 percent! Additionally, this allows for a larger front windshield, giving drivers an increased visibility of nearly 17 percent.
Another exciting installation of the new medium-duty lineup are the customizable seating options. Drivers can now choose between medium and high-back chairs for a more comfortable ride. Three-person bench seating is offered standard on the T180, T280, T380, and is available on the T480 model as well. For easier access, Kenworth has also lowered the cab by 2-inches, making it easier when climbing in and out of your medium-duty commercial truck!
For a more personalized driving experience, our Kenworth technicians have created a new instrument cluster, featuring a 7-inch high-def digital display that allows you to change how the digital gauges are displayed. With 4 analog gauges, including the speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, and coolant temperature, drivers can pick and choose what information is displayed on the screen. Drivers can now opt to view detailed truck information such as trip information, gauges, and other specific truck data.
The new lineup of Kenworth commercial medium-duty trucks, each model has received only the best in terms of engine performance and capability. Available on each model is the 2021 PACCAR PX-7 engine, delivering up to 325 horsepower, and the 2021 PACCAR PX-9 engine, which can produce up to 380 horsepower, depending on the bumper to back of cab, or BBC. For a cleaner ride, Kenworth now offers, for the first time for its medium-duty trucks, the near-zero emission Cummins Westport L9N natural gas engine with 320 horsepower!
Equally important to the PACCAR engine is the new PACCAR TX-8 automatic transmission! Standard on the all four models, the Kenworth T180, T280, T380, and T480, this 8-speed transmission dispenses a smooth ride while simultaneously supplying an enhanced fuel economy. When coupled with the PACCAR PX-7 or PX-9 engine, the PACCAR TX-8 transmission can produce a maximum of 1,000 lb-ft of torque and a 57,000 lb gross combined weight rating, or GCWR!
Designed to fit your lifestyle and livelihood, Kenworth’s new medium-duty trucks can be utilized for towing and recovery, cargo and reefer van, beverage, utility and government fleet, oil and propane, and more. There are a variety of roof options to choose from, from the standard low roof or a raised roof, as well as three different hood types: the short aero hood (107.5-inch BBC), medium aero hood (109.5-inch BBC), and the Kenworth vocational ‘sloped’ hood for the unique T380V and T480V.
Each new commercial medium-duty truck features unique accents to choose from as well. Drivers will enjoy features such as the Aero Grille, Air Intake System and Air-Assisted Hydraulic Clutch, redesigned DEF tanks, Kenworth SmartWheel®, Kenworth TruckTech+® Remote Diagnostics, and so much more. No matter where you are or the job at hand, Kenworth’s medium-duty truck lineup was built to go the distance. Don’t settle for less when it comes to the quality and performance of your truck. Give us a call or stop by any of our Kenworth Louisiana locations today to see what makes Kenworth trucks the superior model. With locations in New Orleans, Houma, Port Allen, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Shreveport, we’re just a short drive away. We look forward to seeing you soon!