The all-composite cab, engineered and manufactured by TPI, pushes the boundaries of weight reduction and aerodynamics.
The SuperTruck 2 program is a public-private partnership with the US Department of Energy (DOE) that challenged truck makers to improve freight efficiency using a diesel engine as the main power source. The program has the potential to significantly impact the trucking industry while making significant strides towards a more sustainable future.
Kenworth’s SuperTruck 2 was the result of a joint investment by the DOE and PACCAR, Kenworth’s parent company.
The ultramodern style of the Kenworth all-composite cab is 20% lighter than a comparable traditional metallic cab typical of Class 8 vehicles while also providing significant improvements in aerodynamics. The project was led by PACCAR, a global leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of premium light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates.
“We appreciate TPI’s partnership, expertise, and R&D investment in the development of the composite cab which supports the light-weighting and aerodynamic improvement goals of our SuperTruck 2 program,” said Joe Adams, Kenworth’s chief engineer.
“We are thrilled to partner with Kenworth on this state-of-the-art program,” said Todd Altman, senior director of Automotive at TPI Composites. “Our structural composite solutions are ideally suited for the demands of the trucking industry, offering many advantages including reduced investment and quicker to market, while also enabling the design of more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient vehicles.”
