New Medium-Duty Pete Debuts At MATS

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Peterbilt introduced a new medium duty vehicle – the Model 335 – at the Mid-America Trucking Show in March.

The new vehicle goes into production in May and will be available in Class 6 and 7 truck and tractor configurations.

“Peterbilt’s impact on the medium duty marketplace has been significant, and the new Model 335 will take our presence to even higher levels,” said Dan Sobic, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice-president.

“Its new design, with modern styling and distinctive Peterbilt features, provides customers with a premium image.

“Additionally, through new serviceability features, interior upgrades for better productivity and ergonomics, and improvements that help increase visibility and safety, our medium-duty vehicle remains the industry’s value leader with low overall life cycle costs.”

Peterbilt’s Class 6 and 7 market share in the U.S. and Canada reached record levels in 2003 and annual production was at an all-time high, said Sobic.

As for the Model 335, its sloping, aerodynamically styled hood is lighter and improves visibility over its predecessor, according to Sobic.

The one-piece hood with integrated fenders is made of Metton, a composite material.

“Peterbilt selected Metton for the Model 335 because it is both light weight and durable, and should reduce repair and replacement costs,” Sobic said.

Also new on the Model 335 are repeater lights located on the quarter fenders, complementing those in the head lamps, to more visibly signal lane changes and turns to vehicles to the side and rear.

The new fenders are engineered for use with both 19.5-inch tires and 22.5-inch tires.

The Model 335’s chromed crown is made of a flexible, impact-resistant polymer that is chromium plated for additional durability and an appearance that will not dull, fade or require polishing.

The stainless steel grille provides a long-lasting appearance while providing superior protection to the cooling system, said Sobic.

The Model 335 has a one-piece, stamped-steel bumper that is available in a painted version and a chromed version.

FEPTO configurations are also available.

Forward lighting

The Model 335’s new forward lighting system provides 40 per cent better down-road coverage than conventional sealed-beam systems, Sobic said.

The lighting design creates a higher intensity beam with a broad, even distribution for nighttime visibility.

“In addition to its performance, the new lighting system helps reduce operating expenses through improved serviceability and durability. Bulb replacement is simple and requires no special tools or hard-to-find replacement bulbs. Vertical height adjustment can be performed without even opening the hood. And the entire assembly is protected by a tough Lexan lens that prevents chips and cracks,” he said.

Other visibility enhancements include a new side-view window that is 85 per cent larger and repositioned side-view mirrors for improved view.

Optional rear corner windows and a larger, standard rear window introduced last year further improve visibility.

Hood tilt assist,

locking mechanism

The Model 335 has also been designed with a hood tilt assist and anti-blow-down locking mechanism.

The system is maintenance free, said Sobic, and isolates the hood from the transfer of road noise and impact shocks absorbed by the chassis.

While the hood is open, an anti-blow-down locking mechanism keeps it in position and prevents unintentional closing.

Inside the hood handhold is an ergonomic lever that releases the mechanism and allows the hood to close easily.

Interior ergonomics,

aesthetics

The interior of the Model 335 includes upgrades to enhance operator comfort, productivity and ergonomics.

Interior styling has also been made more contemporary through, for instance, a new two-tone color pattern that includes plush charcoal-and-gray seats.

“The Model 335 interior has an automotive look and feel that is appealing to medium-duty truck owners and operators,” Sobic said.

“Many customers in the medium duty markets are engaged in a lot of stop-and-go applications, such as pick-up and delivery, and often operate in congested, urban environments.

“Providing a working environment that is convenient and comfortable helps increase operator productivity.”

Interior enhancements include:

Colour-matched fasteners, speaker grilles and instrument panel fixtures

Optional chrome gauge bezels

HVAC registers with chrome-style accents

New two-tone seats with side bolster support

New interior door latch design

Chrome manual window cranks

New dome light with independent operator- and passenger-side lighting

Standard cup holder with 12-volt power outlet

Add on van/platform

body to go

Also available with the new Model 335 is expedited delivery of the medium-duty truck equipped with a dry freight van or platform body.

Through the new program (with America’s Body Company), customers can order and take delivery of a complete, ready-to-work chassis/body unit directly through their local Peterbilt dealership. The order-to-delivery cycle requires a single invoice.

“For many customers in the medium-duty markets, spec’ing and acquiring equipment is not a primary focus of their business. The more convenient and faster it is, the more attention they can devote to their core operations,” said Bruce Ewald, Peterbilt assistant general manager.

“This new Peterbilt/ABC Integrated Body Program provides our medium-duty customers a very streamlined process for getting what they ultimately need – a truck that’s ready to go to work when they drive it off the lot.”

ABC is one of the industry’s leading manufacturers of dry freight van and platform bodies and up-fits thousands of vehicles annually, Ewald added.

The company’s van bodies are ideal for all forms of intra- and inter-city delivery applications, and its platform bodies are well suited for landscaping and transport of lumber, building materials and barrel goods, he said.

Other body programs available on the Model 335 include Heil dump bodies and London mixer bodies.

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