DIGGING IN

A NEW
NavistarRises
By John G. Smith
Navistar’s new flagship line of Class 8
over-the-road trucks – the International
LT Series – has been unveiled with a wide
array of driver-friendly improvements in
the cab, and the promise of “unrivaled fuel
efficiency” overall.
“The new International LT Series reflects
our vision for the future of the trucking
industry, with a host of advancements
that support improved driver safety and
productivity, as well as fuel efficiency and
uptime,” said Bill Kozek, Navistar’s president
– truck and parts. “This new vehicle
reflects our strong belief that integrating
the best technology will provide customers
with a significant operating advantage.”
And one of those advantages comes in
the form of the fuel economy, which jumps
7% when compared to a 2017 ProStar with
a Cummins ISX 15 engine.
Improvements to the aerodynamics are
responsible for 3%. Aerodynamic features
include an aero-contoured
hood and fender, longer side
extenders, wheel openings
and chassis skirts, as well as
a three-piece front bumper.
Recommended versions of the
bumper, which sits 8.5 inches
off the ground, will also be
optimized based on the trailers
that are being hauled. Those
who are pulling skirted trailers,
for example, will get a bumper
with a lower leading edge.
Even CB antennas have been
moved to the back of the cab,
although mirror-mounted versions
are still available.
“Our testing confirms this is the most
aerodynamic truck we’ve ever made,” says
Jeff Sass, senior vice president - sales and
marketing.
Testing methods included computational
fluid dynamics, 1/8th scale and fullsize
wind tunnel tests, and coast down
tests to ensure the truck would perform
when heading directly into winds or at
an angle. The higher the yaw angle of the
wind, the better the LT Series performs
against competitors, the company adds.
Other fuel savings come from weight
savings on top of the 400 pounds shed
from ProStar models earlier this year.
About 50 pounds was saved with a redesigned
battery box, 100 pounds came from
the radiator, and another 100 pounds from
a new single-canister aftertreatment system.
Even a drop in the number of fan
blades has made a difference. When all is
said and done, the LT is about 500 pounds
Changes in the cab drew from feedback in driver clinics.
lighter than a comparable ProStar.
The overall driver appeal is said to benefit
from extensive research with drivers
themselves, hundreds of whom offered
their thoughts through driver clinics. And
one of the central themes which emerged
there was the desire for a truck-like look.
“Truck drivers want a truck designed
like a truck,” Sass said. “Career truck
drivers aren’t interested in automotive
designing like chrome accents
... they want trucks designed
to do a job.
“We even put the air horn
lanyard back where drivers
wanted it,” he added, referring
to the position above the
driver’s door.
The review included more
than 500 points where the
driver and truck interact, leading
to features that Navistar
says improves the room for
elbows, hips and legs. A new
premium gauge cluster with
a digital driver display offers
the real-time feedback on fuel
42 TODAY’S TRUCKING