Only a few sleeps and it’s showtime, with the Brisbane Truck Show (BTS) celebrating 50 years since its first event. The image above shows Brisbane’s humble beginnings, but this year’s show, from May 25-28 and organised by Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), will see over 300 exhibitors and an estimated 35,000 attendees on site.
The inaugural HVIA National Apprentice Challenge will see heavy-vehicle mechanical apprentices from around Australia representing their region in the ‘hands-on’ competition, as three regional teams work simultaneously, on identical trucks supplied by Fuso Australia, to identify and rectify a series of programmed faults as the clock ticks.
“For Kenworth, the show is all about the revolutionary T610 and T610SAR,” said Brad May, Paccar Australia’s Director Sales and Marketing. “Launched little more than five months ago, the new model is certainly living up to its billing as ‘Our Best Truck Yet’. We are delighted with the market’s response due to its versatility, space and safety features, and the T610 and two T610SARs on display are certain to draw in everyone to have a look.”
Also on display will be a number of DAF models including a 510hp version of the CF85. Known as the MX375 due to its 375kW output, the higher rating of the 13-litre MX engine was previously exclusive to the Kenworth T409 range and DAF’s flagship XF105 model.
Isuzu will be showcasing 11 trucks at the Show. The trucks will traverse the range from the N Series Ready to Work models, right up the weight scale to a Giga CXY Tipper.
Fuso will give visitors a taste of the future with a virtual reality experience on its stand. In addition to checking out the latest real-world Fuso models, attendees will be able to immerse themselves in a virtual Fuso showroom, sit inside a range of virtual Fuso trucks and experience a thrill ride that showcases the lifelike nature of cutting-edge VR technology. The Fuso VR program also allows visitors to configure their own truck in a workshop setting. Participants can choose from five Fuso Canter light duty truck models and fit them out with a range of popular truck bodies.
Scania will showcase the all-new S500, its first public presentation in the Southern Hemisphere following the global reveal in Paris last August. The new model features a completely flat cab floor allowing drivers up to 207cm tall to stand upright.
Mercedes-Benz is launching an all-new on-highway rigid Actros range at the Show, as well as presenting its newly introduced prime mover models. The new rigid model was part of a local testing program including more than 35 customers, 20 trucks and more than 1.8 million kilometres. All the details will be revealed at the show, but Mercedes will include a mix of 4×2, 6×2, 6×4 and 8×4 models.
Iveco Australia will be showcasing up to 10 vehicles from across the Iveco and International product ranges. There will be a wide selection of trucks and vans spanning the light-, medium- and heavy-duty weight categories. Additionally, the stand will feature a merchandise area and also play host to the star drivers from the Red Bull Holden Racing Team.
Freightliner is celebrating its 75th anniversary with something old and something new at this year’s show. On display will be a Coronado 122 stock-hauling special rated at 140-tonnes plus a rare A64-800 1950 ‘Bubblenose’ model, which has been shipped from the US to help celebrate Freightliner’s rich heritage.
“The Brisbane Truck Show is the perfect place for Hino to reveal a new vehicle, it is one that our customers have been demanding for a long time,” says Sarah Rosales, Hino National Marketing Manager. Hino will also be showcasing its Hino Advantage customer care program.
For UD Trucks, the display is all about the all-new Quon model with a re-engineered cabin that was recently launched in Japan. On the Quon, the ESCOT-VI AMT adopts a new straight shift pattern, and all models feature disc brakes and the new 11-litre GH11 engine reportedly achieves at least five per cent better fuel economy.
Cummins will be featuring its new X12 and X15 engines at the show. The X12 is a lightweight, high power density 12-litre engine with peak outputs of 500hp and 1,700 lb ft of torque. The X15 features ADEPT technology, a suite of advanced electronic features Cummins claims is enhancing fuel efficiency by up to six per cent.
Freighter will have two of its popular trailer models on display, its classic drop deck semi-trailer with ramps as well as the recently released T-Liner Mark II. Refrigerated trailer brand Maxi-Cube will be showcasing a brand new product at the Brisbane Truck Show. Though the company is yet to reveal any of the details, Truck body brand Peki is set to make a new product announcement at the event.
South Australian Redarc Electronic will be using the Show as a platform to launch its Rollover Sensor, the company’s latest heavy-duty safety development. Redarc’s ROS works together with its recently launched Battery Master Isolation Switch (BMIS) to automatically shut down all truck electrics upon identification of dangerous angles, minimising the chance of a spark.
Drake Trailers, O’Phee Trailers, Drake Collectables, BoxLoader and Cometto will combine collectively under the newly launched Drake Group banner at the Show. The Group will display a selection of its trailers, including a Drake 4×8 Swingwide extendable, Drake 4×4 Deck widener with Rear Steer axles, O’Phee Tri-Axle Extendable Drop Deck, O’Phee Road Train Dolly and an O’Phee BoXLoader, plus a surprise new model.
Carrier Transicold is inviting customers to enter its Solutions Laboratory on its stand, a dedicated space for showcasing and discussing the future of ‘connected refrigeration’. Inside the lab, visitors will experience the technologies in use now or being considered for future generations of Carrier Transicold systems.
Thermo King Australia will debut its new SLXi slimline refrigeration unit, expected to be available in single and multi-temperature trailer options. It will also feature Thermo King’s Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD), which will supply power to external systems such as telematics communication hardware.
Powerdown took up the challenge to create a gas shock absorber for trailers utilising a specialised, measured low-pressure gas injection process. The key benefit of the new process is it reportedly provides further cooling properties inside the shock absorber, allowing it to operate cooler for longer, thereby retaining full dampening performance. There is also a range of shock absorbers featuring a recommended ride–height sticker. The sticker is designed to indicate where the shock absorber is operating in terms of stroke when fitted to the vehicle.