LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Unfazed by a possible industry downturn in the New Year, Peterbilt Motors has unveiled an all-new product lineup, complete with upgrades, replacement models, and even a handful of completely new aerodynamic and medium-duty trucks.

The new “fuel efficiency lineup,” presented at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville as “the largest product development investment” in the company’s 70-year history,” is specifically aimed at the aero, traditional, vocational and medium-duty markets.

The new trucks — which will cost between $6,000-$9,000 more due to ’07 EPA-mandated engines and the cost of fitting them to Peterbilt trucks — are as follows:

The new aerodynamic Model 387 day cab and Model 384, which join the 387 and the 386 to round out Peterbilt’s aero truck lineup; The traditional Model 389 and 388, which replace the 378 and 379 respectively; The vocational 367 and Model 365, which take over for the 357 short and long-nosed versions; and finally, the brand new Model 340 and 330, which join the 335 in the company’s medium-duty lineup.

The new lightweight MD 330

The latter two trucks will be available this summer and the new class 8 lineup will be on dealer lots by early 2007.

Peterbilt GM Dan Sobic acknowledges that the beginning of 2007 is a “risky” period to launch a new product lineup, but said in the end the company decided the risk “was in not doing it.” Another reason the company may have felt compelled to overhaul its offerings is that many current models have too small of a radiator and under-hood compartment to accommodate new ’07 engines.

New MDs:

The new 330 and 340, which will be built at parent company Paccar’s medium-duty assembly plant in St Therese, Que., are geared to everything from urban pick-up and delivery to rugged construction operations, says Pete.

The lightweight 330 comes in a class 6 that is available up to 26,000 lbs GVW. It can be spec’ed with hydraulic brakes and low profile tires to allow operation of a non-commercial driver — thereby “opening companies to a wider pool of potential (drivers)” says Peterbilt.

The 340 comes in 33,000 GVW and is best suited for municipal, construction and specialty applications.

Aerodynamics:

The new 387 day cab is ideal for tanker and regional-haul applications where aerodynamic performance as well as spacious environment is in demand. It is available in medium and long-length BBC and optimized front-axle placement for exceptional maneuverability and weight distribution. The company says the day cab’s sloped hood, large windshield, and 1,200 sq in rear window make it an ideal regional haul vehicle.

The 384, with 116-in BBC and set-back front axle in vocational and urban operation, can be configured as a day cab or with Peterbilt full range of detachable Unibilt sleepers. “The lower radiator position and sloped hood combine to improve forward visibility by nearly 12 inches,” says Landon Sproull, Peterbilt’s chief engineer, adding that the truck allows 50 degrees of wheel cut and decreases turning radius by 12 inches.

Traditional:

The company’s Model 389 and 388 retain Peterbilt’s trademark design but too improve on aerodynamic performance and serviceability. Both trucks have all-new hoods with anti-blow-down locking mechanisms, and new one-piece aluminum surround with a punched-oval pattern grille and grille bars, as well as new fender reinforcements, innovative headlamps and aero-style mirrors, which are said to provide greater visibility and reduce drag by as much as 40 percent

Models 389 and 388, which replace the 378 and 379

The new, lighter-weight cooling system features increased cooling to accommodate higher-horsepower engines.

Both trucks also have available a Fuel efficiency Package, which includes a new contoured roof fairing, oval shaped cab-mounted exhaust, aerodynamic air cleaners, and streamlined tool and battery boxes and contoured bumper and underbody fairings.

Vocational:

The 367 and 365 are said to be Pete’s most versatile vocational trucks, with both available in set-forward and set-back front axle positions. The 367 will also be available in a special heavy haul configuration that features a high capacity cooling system.

Both trucks have a new bumper that can accommodate a center hook configuration or a duel, removable pin configuration.