LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville ain’t Hollywood, but Western Star showed up at the Mid-America Trucking Show with a display worthy of the red carpet treatment.

The company showcased a 4900 FE package, which the company says rivals even the most fuel-efficient trucks on the market for fuel economy supremacy while retaining a classic-styled truck appearance.

The 4900 set-back axle with fuel-efficiency package, combined with the Detroit Diesel DD15 engine with SCR is proving to be the most fuel efficient Western Star ever, the company announced.

“The initial fuel results we’re seeing clearly indicate that the 4900SB FE package equipped with the DD15 engine competes head-on with what are considered the most fuel efficient trucks on the road,” said Guy Lemieux, marketing manager highway segment, Western Star. “The FE package not only enhances fuel economy, but provides our dry van, liquid bulk and dry bulk customers aerodynamic benefits without sacrificing many of the suspension and power train ratings they need.”

Western Star also announced it’s offering lightweight components for weight-sensitive applications, particularly liquid and dry bulk applications.

Lightweight options include: various sizes of DEF tanks; aluminum clutch housings; aluminum air tanks; an aluminum fifth wheel; aluminum front drop castings; and air ride front suspensions with a tubular axle.

“This array of lightweight components, combined with standard Western Star features, truly offer our customers the best of everything, and we look forward to continuing to provide our customers added weight saving options,” said John Tomlinson, product manager, Western Star.

In addition to offering new efficiencies, Western Star also built upon its reputation as a stylish truck by offering a new custom graphics package. The new package is available through Western Star’s complete product line and consists of vinyl graphics in a variety of colours. Five design themes are offered, including: torch; smoke; flare; razor; and ripped.

“Western Star customers value the highly customizable nature of our trucks, and these new graphics packages not only bring that reputation to life in a very visual way, but also allow our customers to make their trucks truly one-of-a-kind,” said Tomlinson.

The Torch design is featured at Western Star’s booth at the Mid-America Trucking Show and there’s a Canadian connection. Kelowna, B.C.-based IRON/graphix developed the graphics in partnership with Western Star. An assortment of Western Star trucks are on display at MATS within scenes representing a variety of fictional Hollywood scripts.