LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Peterbilt has become the first North American truck maker to make air disc brakes standard on the front axle of all its Class 8 trucks.

The company made the announcement at the Mid-America Trucking Show, noting the move will ensure its customers will easily meet impending new stopping distance requirements.

Benefits of disc brakes include: more effective stopping power; reduced weight; and less maintenance.

“Air disc brakes are the premium choice for fleets looking to improve driver productivity and minimize downtime,” announced Bill Jackson, Paccar vice-president and Peterbilt general manager. “Standard air disc brakes on all our Peterbilt models ensures we are providing our customers a solution to comply with the government’s reduced stopping distance regulations going into effect this August, as well as a feature that has a positive effect on their bottom line.”

Peterbilt also announced it has upgraded the rotors that come with its disc brakes to a ‘splined’ design, which shaves up to 50 lbs from the vehicle.

Also new from Peterbilt was a line of Peterbilt Premium Seats, with improved ergonomic and comfort features. The seats provide heating and cooling options and an automatic height modification feature that prevents the seat from changing positions when a driver sits or stands.

“Peterbilt worked to develop a seat with features comparable to luxury automobiles,” said Landon Sproull, Peterbilt’s chief engineer. “The Peterbilt Premium Seats deliver maximum comfort and exceptional reliability.”

Peterbilt has also introduced a lightweight option package, which allows customers to spec’ day cabs weighing as little as 14,200 lbs and sleepers as light as 15,800 lbs.

The package includes: the Paccar MX engine; composite front springs; aluminum components; enhancements requiring fewer batteries; an aluminum fifth wheel and ILS slider; and a rear drivetrain with an aluminum drive beam. The lightweight package is available on all Pete linehaul and pickup and delivery vehicles and can be spec’d in whole or in part.

Also new is an extended day cab for Pete’s entire line of Class 8 trucks, providing an extra 10 inches front to back and six more inches of head room.

“Peterbilt’s Extended Day Cab is ideal for and customers who require a larger operating environment and increased maneuverability,” Peterbilt’s Jackson. “With the large standard rear window, the extended cab also provides superb visibility, making it optimal for vocational, heavy haul and pick-up and delivery applications.”