PACCAR Perfect

    Only a few years ago there was no way an American

 trucker would switch from a conventional truck design

 that featured all the square-fronted design cues of the

 Kenworth or Peterbilt heritage. The bigger, bolder,

 squarer and stronger the look the better. And if you’ve

 got to have air cleaners then why not flaunt them and

 stick them out on either side of the bonnet, well into the

 airflow and unfortunately playing havoc with vehicle

 aerodynamics.

    Today the scene has changed. Sure, there are operators that would never been seen dead in an aerodynamically-shaped prime mover and trailer, but equally there are a growing number of operators that have realised that it’s not hip to be square. Smooth lines and air cleaners under the bonnet mean a better profile of air passing around the vehicle and ultimately, lower fuel consumption.