The release of the latest truck from Kenworth represents a major upgrade of electronics in the K220. The new K220 is now operating the same sophisticated electronic architecture as that available on new DAF models in Europe, and Kenworth and Peterbilt in the US. This means that as new innovations come along in those markets they can become available to Australian truck buyers at the same time.
This level of sophistication is necessary to run all of the new safety systems included in the package. There’s multi-lane Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and a growing list of systems which can be added to over the development of these new models.
“The K220 celebrates Australian ingenuity to engineer a uniquely Australian product to optimise the capability of both owners and drivers to prosper in what is surely the world’s toughest but most productive transport industry,” said Brad May , Paccar Director Sales and Marketing. “It is a development path that has been forged by an amazing collaboration between Australian transport operators and a dedicated and determined local development team that has spanned more than five decades. Nowhere in the world does such a close relationship exist between those who use the product and those who design it.”
Sitting in the driver’s seat gives you a view of the substantial innovation in this new model, the new 15-inch high-definition instrument panel, with a customisable suite of digital instrumentation laid out on the large screen in front of the driver. This is a major step away from the previous model and takes the Kenworth brand into the brave new world of cutting edge electronics.
In fact when the screen is on and working, it does have a reassuring feel. The design is simple and well-organised. Although it can be changed to suit a driver’s tastes, the default works well. There’s a tachometer, front and centre, with a digital speed read-out in the centre.
To the right and left of this are four, two either side, customisable information displays. The obvious fuel adblue and temperature indicators are necessary, but the rest can be changed as required. The limited test drive didn’t allow enough time to fully drive the instrument panel.
The panel also includes the information from the radar and camera on the front of the truck measuring the distance to the vehicles ahead and warning s pop up if they get a bit too close.
At the start of the working day with a simple press of a button, the K220 will perform a comprehensive systems check. At the end of the day on shutting down, it will display a detailed trip and vehicle summary. This includes statistics like, average fuel economy, idle time, cruise control usage as well as any potential mechanical issues.
Controlling all of this information, its layout and functions like cruise and following distance, is the smart steering wheel with its array of buttons to press and stalk mounted controls. This is also the driver’s interface with another screen, smaller and to the driver’s left.
The new 8-inch Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) unit provides easy access display with intuitive controls for truck navigation, the audio system, and smartphone mirroring. The unit, coming from Directed Australia is also available in a number of other truck brands in our market, but customised to fit in with the rest of the Kenworth design.
The AVN can be integrated with up to six external cameras giving drivers full visibility of what is happening around the vehicle. It can be controlled from the steering wheel and the driver’s phone can also be controlled through this system, while sitting on the charging pad on the central binnacle.
Every K220 is equipped with the proprietary telematics solution, Paccar Connect, with live tracking and monitoring of the vehicle, driver, and fleet performance.
