Kenworth showed off what it calls "the next generation of aerodynamic advances" when it introduced the new T700 at the recent Mid-America Trucking Show.

Designed through the extensive use of computational fluid dynamics, Kenworth engineers really did sculpt a shapely and distinctive appearance. The company claims the T700 has the lowest aerodynamic drag of any Kenworth truck ever built.

The lightweight, sloped hood consists of three pieces for easy repair and offers clear access to underhood components for quick service, Its ball-and-socket closing system ensures proper hood placement, Kenworth says. To help maximize air flow, the high roof has flush-mounted LED marker lights and no exterior sun visor.

The aerodynamic bumper and chassis fairings are made of a material — Thermal Plastic Olefin — that helps minimize fading and has improved impact resistance. It’s UV stable in non-painted form, which allows Kenworth to offer the T700 bumper and fairings with painted and non-painted options. They’re also designed specifically to reduce the visibility of small scrapes and scuffs.

Kenworth also offers new forward lighting — halogen projector or optional Xenon headlamps — that respectively offer a threefold and 11-fold increase in bulb life compared to conventional sealed beams. LED turn signals are used.

On the inside, the sleeper features an 8-foot cathedral ceiling, and there’s even room to sit upright in the upper bunk. The T700 sleeper includes a 42-inch liftable lower bunk, pull-out desk, full-length door-enclosed hanging closet, and plentiful Xenon incandescent lighting bulbs.

The cab has multiplexed instrumentation, the expected Driver Information Center, and the new Kenworth NavPlus that’s standard on T700 premium trim offerings and optional for all other levels. See the Peterbilt 587 item above for details (Pete calls it SmartNav).

The T700 comes standard with the 75-inch Aerodyne sleeper, its interior providing 60-plus cubic feet of storage space, and nearly 25% more interior volume compared to a similarly spec’d T660.