International Truck and Engine Corporation has unveiled its new 8500 regional haul tractor, equipped with an International HT 530 Engine. The company is now taking orders towards production for the 8000 Series, which begins in October.

The release follows International’s February launch of its 4000 Series medium haul vehicles in Las Vegas.

The new 8500 aims to offer improvements in vehicle serviceability, life-cycle costs and driver productivity with features such as the multiplex electrical system, increased payload capacity, tighter turning radius with a 50-degree wheel cut and the International HT 530 engine.

“Our 4000-series product launch has gone according to plan at the Springfield plant. Customer feedback has been great. The 8500 is our regional haul derivative, and it was designed consistent with the medium-duty for performance and visibility,” says Steve Keate, president, truck group, International Truck and Engine Corp.

International says drivers of the new 8500 can expect excellent throttle response in stop-and-go traffic from an integrated powertrain using the high-torque HT 530, and service technicians will find it easy to maintain because of synchronized routine maintenance schedules. “Regional haulers will see the difference on their bottom lines, drivers will feel the difference in the smooth, but powerful ride and service technicians can bank on easier serviceability. This vehicle sets a new benchmark in value-driving performance,” boasts Keate.

He says this is the first regional-haul vehicle to exclusively offer an International brand engine, the high-torque 530T. The International HT 530 engine I-6 engine has an electronically controlled, variable geometry turbocharger, delivering from 280, 300, 320 up to 340 horsepower ratings with 700 lb-ft of clutch engagement torque for sure starts under full load. Next year’s 8600 models will be available with vendor engines.