Western Star continues to impress with its X-series lineup as one of the trucking industry leaders. The 47X, 49X, and the newly introduced 57X are designed to meet specific transport and logistics industry needs. This comparison highlights each model’s distinctive specifications, applications, and target users, helping customers choose the right truck for their operations.
Launched in late 2020 after six years of development, Western Star’s X-Series marked a significant evolution in its truck lineup, aiming to gradually replace the legacy models. Leading the charge, the 49X debuted as a successor to the acclaimed 4900 model, boasting a 350-lb weight reduction, enhanced durability, and improved safety features. Notably, it’s the first Western Star model to incorporate the Detroit Assurance 5.0 suite of active safety systems, representing a leap forward in vehicle safety.
The 49X introduces a novel design, incorporating technology from Freightliner to adapt to vocational applications. Key innovations include:
Available from the 2021 model year, the 49X offers configurations ranging from day cabs to 72″ stratosphere high roof sleepers, catering to diverse operational needs. It features a variety of trims and interior options, supported by standard engine offerings from Detroit Diesel (DD15 & DD16) and Cummins (X12 & X15), meeting the varied demands of the modern trucking industry.
Just a year following the debut of the Western Star 49X, Western Star unveiled the 47X, ready to hit the market for the 2022 model year. Embodying the essence of the X-Series, the 47X integrates advanced safety features, a cab design akin to its series counterparts, and the new Detroit Diesel DT12 transmission. The 47X can be viewed as the compact sibling of the 49X, offering a slightly shorter 112″ BBC, with an exclusive 111″ BBC version tailored to meet specific federal and state bridge law requirements, compared to the 49X’s longer 122″ BBC.
Engine-wise, the 47X diversifies with options focused on smaller litre engines, including Detroit’s DD13 and Cummins’ L9 & X12, catering to a different market segment. This model broadens Western Star’s offerings starting from the 2023 model year.
The Western Star 57X marks the third and concluding addition to the X-Series lineup, poised to take over from the 5700XE. Designed primarily for highway use, the 57X retains the Western Star brand’s hallmark durability. Featuring a 129″ BBC, this model sports an aerodynamically enhanced hood for better efficiency. Available configurations include a day cab or sleeper options ranging from 60″ to 72″, moving away from the previously available 82″ size.
Western Star notes that the 72″ sleeper option offers 22% more interior space thanks to its increased height and width. A significant weight reduction of around 1,000 lbs compared to the 5700XE positions the 57X as a noteworthy contender in the trucking industry for its efficiency and performance.
Exclusively equipped with the Detroit powertrain lineup, the 57X mandates using the DT12 automated manual transmission, accompanied by a choice among the Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15, or DD16 engines.
The 47X and 49X are built on a foundation of durability and dependability, engineered from the ground up to provide reliable performance across decades. The 49X, known for its power, durability, and technology advancements, caters to heavy haul, logging, and construction applications. Its introduction represented a significant leap forward for vocational trucks, setting new standards in the industry.
The 57X marks a significant evolution in the X-Series, embodying the pinnacle of on-highway truck design. It builds on the legacy of toughness inherent to the X-Series, incorporating cutting-edge technology, comfort, and efficiency. The 57X is designed to provide an unparalleled driving experience, making it the most advanced and driver-focused truck in the series.
All three models are designed to focus on flexibility, operator comfort, and safety. However, each caters to slightly different user needs:
Whether it’s the versatile and rugged 47X and 49X for demanding vocational tasks or the premium, technology-packed 57X for on-highway applications, Velocity Truck Centres offer trucks designed to meet the varied needs of the modern transport and logistics industry. With the best inventory in the industry, you can find the right Western Star heavy-duty truck for your business.