Momentum - November 2017 - 16

TODAY'S
ENGINEERING

MACK HITS THE HIGHWAY WITH
STYLE AND TECHNOLOGY
Mack Trucks is making a major play to
increase its market share in long-haul
commercial trucking with Anthem,
which combines aerodynamics and
modern technical features with Mack's
distinctive styling. The rollout is being
supported by major investments in
Mack's manufacturing and customer
service facilities.
The Anthem supports its stylistic
appearance with improved fuel economy
and a number of features designed to
improve driver efficiency and comfort.
Mack is making a big bet that Anthem can
improve its 2% market share in long-haul
trucking, supporting its huge rollout party
by commissioning a country western song
based on Mack's Born Ready tagline.
Support for what Mack President
Dennis Slagle called "one of the most
significant new trucks in Mack's 117-year
history" goes well beyond theatrics.
Mack's parent, Volvo, invested $84 million

in Mack's Lehigh Valley, PA, operations
facility over the past three years, largely
to ramp up to produce the Anthem.
Managers say the enlarged facility can
make up to 150 trucks per day, up from
only 55 when the factory was opened
in 1975. Mack's nearby customer center
underwent a $3 million renovation.

IN STYLE AND COMFORT
Mack styling is blended with
aerodynamics that were developed with
extensive modeling and wind tunnel
testing at the Kennedy Space Center.
This sleekness will improve mileage by
up to 3% using a number of factors that
reduce drag.
"The hood slopes up near the
windshield to push the air up and over the
cab," said Stu Russoli, Highway Product
Manager. "The hood mirrors are up nice
and high; they're in line with the side

mirrors so they only have to go through
the air once."
Reducing downtime and improving
efficiency and operator comfort are
also primary factors. A 48-inch Flat Top
Sleeper and a 70-inch Stand-Up Sleeper
were designed to provide more space
and comfort.
"The driving cab interior's volume has
been increased by 35%," Russoli said.
"The 70-inch sleeper is 8 inches taller-6
feet, 11 inches in the front and 7 feet, 1
inch in the rear. The cab has 27 cubic feet
of storage."
Lighting is also a focal point. LEDs are
used for all interior and exterior lamps,
with headlights that are 66% brighter
than current bulbs. In the cab, there are
six dome lights, light pipes and reading
lamps above each door. Many of these
lamps are dimmable.
The steering wheel, which features a
flat-bottom design inspired by racecars,
has eight switches for phone and
cruise control as well as infotainment
functions. An optional infotainment 7-inch
touchscreen display gives drivers safe
access to Apple CarPlay, satellite radio,
weather band radio and TomTom truck
navigation. The display is compatible with
third-party back-up camera systems.
Mack also touted features designed to
shorten pre-trip inspections. The hood
latch has been simplified, with a single
latch that operates like a passenger car
hood instead of using two side latches.
It takes 50% less effort to raise the
hood. A pre-trip assist function will run
through a series of checks for blinkers,
brake lights, etc. so a single driver can
perform this task.

CONNECTIVITY FOR
EFFICIENCY, UPTIME
Bold styling is a central
focus for Mack's Anthem.
(Photo credit: Terry Costlow)

16 November 2017

Mack is also employing several
electronic technologies. Mack Predictive
Cruise memorizes elevation on routes,
storing data on up to 4500 hills. The
system then looks at GPS data to

MOMENTUM
Momentum - November 2017

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