So, in addition to heavy-duty 49
X we have its true-highway brother with plastic sideskirts, plastic bumper, digital dashboard, only two- or three-axle chassis (unlike three- or four- axle options for 49
X) and more streamlined look with a lot of optional black plastic parts (plus two types of interior have the black leather seats) — even the mirror mounts are black, so you can built your own bat-truck!
Well, not 100% bat-truck, because that little fender in front of the rear wheels is chromed without any other options
.
Of course, the new 57
X shares a lot of parts with
Cascadia, like aerodynamic parts or sleeper roof (but they took away the small window, maybe, not everybody liked it), while the doors or cabin rear wall (or all sounds
) are taken from 49
X. Also, now I can’t buy
Eaton 18-speed gearbox — only
Detroit engine and drivetrain is available.
Another new detail is likely to be hidden by sideskirts, but it was too eye-catching during the presentation
— the aluminium battery box cover now is a victim of battle for weight reduction
(chromed one remains solid).
I can say I like the straight lines on new Western Star’s face more than curves of its Freightliner counterpart. The strange thing is an unability to install any sideskirts if you have a daycab with 160-gallon tanks — if you want to improve your aerodynamics, choose 120 gallons or sleeper cab
. But anyway, last months I have driven the long trucks too much, so, I am going to explore Montana with that minimalistic setup: