LOUISVILLE, Ky. –A new Class 8 highway truck from Kenworth was among the sexiest new products unveiled at this year’s Mid-America Trucking Show.

Kenworth claims its latest model is the most aerodynamic truck in the industry, bettering its own T660 with 3% less drag. That could amount to fuel savings totaling US$4,500 per year based on current diesel prices, the company pointed out.

“We’re extremely proud to introduce the Kenworth T700, the latest evolution of our industry-leading aerodynamic product line. We believe that the all-new, wide-cab T700 is truly the truck to beat when it comes to outstanding fuel efficiency results,” said Bill Kozek, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice-president.

The T700 is available with the Paccar MX engine which boasts a one million mile B10 life, meaning 90% of all Paccar MX engines will still be in operation at a million miles, the company claims. Kenworth’s newest truck will also come with the company’s new NavPlus system, which combines truck-specific GPS, communication and diagnostics tools and Internet access via a 7-inch touch screen mounted on the dash. NavPlus is standard on all premium trim offerings and optional on all other trim levels, Kenworth announced.

Kenworth’s chief engineer, Preston Feight, gave trucking journalists a tour of the new truck, claiming it boasts the lowest aerodynamic drag of any truck in Kenworth’s history. The exterior features a stylish grille, a lightweight, sloped aerodynamic hood and Kenworth’s popular forward lighting system. A new high roof is key to the truck’s aerodynamics, Feight explained, pointing out the truck has no exterior sun visor and all LED marker lights are mounted flush for improved air flow.

Inside, the sleeper features an 8-foot “cathedral ceiling” allowing most drivers to sit upright in the upper bunk.

The sleeper also features a 42-inch liftable lower bunk, pull-out desk, full-length door-enclosed hanging closet, a variety of storage areas, wall-to-wall carpet and plentiful lighting.

Kenworth executives expect the T700 and its standard 75-inch Aerodyne sleeper to be popular with line-haul and regional fleets as well as team operations where space and comfort are important. The company pointed out the T700 has nearly 25% more interior volume than a similarly-spec’d T660.

There’s nearly 30 inches between the driver and passenger seats for convenient access to the sleeper -especially when spec’d with the UltraShift Plus transmission -a new option that clears up even more room between the seats.

Also new from Kenworth is a natural gas-powered version of its T440 truck, aimed at local, regional and vocational applications. The truck is powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G engine and can meet EPA2010 emissions requirements without selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or diesel particulate filters (DPFs). Kenworth announced the new truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show and says it’s now accepting orders.