The largest Russian manufacturer of trucks, PJSC KamAZ, at the international exhibition Comtrans-2017, presented a new fifth wheel KamAZ-54901 for transporting goods and towing semi-trailers on highways.
The main distinctive advantages of the tractor are modern ergonomics, the presence of the latest systems, working assemblies and stylish design. The company paid special attention to the appearance of the cabin. It meets all European safety and comfort standards. High-quality parts, a powerful, wear-resistant engine, combined with an interesting design - all this is present in the new KamAZ 54901 models. Domestic truck tractors are available at a lower price compared to their foreign counterparts, but are not inferior in quality and comfort.
After completion of the design phase in September 2022, it is planned to launch serial production of trucks with the K-5 cab. The first pilot batch will consist of 20 vehicles for endurance testing.
KamAZ 54901: a breakthrough in the domestic automotive industry
For a long time, the domestic manufacturer could not create a truck tractor that could compete with foreign analogues in terms of its technical and operational characteristics. KamAZ 54901 with a fundamentally new K5 cab, created in collaboration with foreign specialists, is designed to answer the question of whether the Kama plant was able to create a competitive truck for long-distance transportation.
The debut of KamAZ 54901 took place in 2022 at the Comtrans exhibition, where the car was first presented to the general public. Experts noted the modern streamlined shape of the cabin, LED headlights, and the increased height of the truck. Most often, KamAZ drivers complained about the lack of comfort in the cabin. The interior of the new tractor boasts increased volume (9 cubic meters), comfortable height (198 cm), functionality, modern design inside and high-quality materials used for interior decoration.
Four comfortable steps lead into the cabin; there are two seats with multiple adjustments, and there are also two sleeping bags (the top one is folding). Note the ergonomic and very informative dashboard, on which all the necessary information is available. To the right of the driver is a 10-inch touch screen with a user-friendly interface and rich functionality. A little lower on the console there are several outputs for USB ports, and here there is also an air conditioning control (some cars are equipped with a climate control system). The gearbox is now controlled using a steering column joystick, and it should also be noted that there are many boxes for storing tools and driver’s belongings.
On the used equipment market, advertisements for the sale of KamAZ 54901 are extremely rare; it is difficult to say how much such a truck costs. This is explained by the novelty of the car; we remind you that the first copies of the tractor rolled off the assembly line only in 2022. At the same time, on the manufacturer’s website you can find many offers for the sale of new trucks. Their price depends on the configuration and ranges from 6.4 to 7 million rubles (in the top version, the cost of the truck will be even higher). At the same time, the manufacturer forcibly included a three-year service in this price.
Dimensions and weight characteristics. Fuel consumption
-585M 36 B ZIL-MMZ-4502, -45021, -45022, -4505 37 B ZIL-MMZ-45023 50 CIS ZIL-MMZ-45054, -138AB 37.5 LNG ZIL-MMZ-4520 27.5 D KAZ- 600, -600AV, -600B, -600V 36 B KAZ-4540 28 D KamAZ-43255 Cummins EQB 180 20 25.9 D KamAZ-43255A3 Cummins 6ISBe210 29.7 D KamAZ-45142-010-15 KamAZ-740. Fuel consumption standards for special vehicles performing housing and communal services are determined according to the standards of the Housing and Communal Services Department of the Gosstroy of Russia Academy of Public Utilities named after.
| Car make, model | Basic fuel consumption rate, l/100 km |
| Dump trucks, domestic and CIS countries | |
| GAZ-SAZ 2505-10 | 20.5 D |
| GAZ-SAZ 35071 (D-245.7E3) | 19.9 D |
| GAZ-SAZ 35071 (D-245.7E2) | 19.4 D |
| GAZ-SAZ-53B | 28 B* |
| GAZ-93. -93A. -93AE, -93B, -93V | 23 B* |
| GAZ-SAZ-2500, -3507, -3508 | 28 B* |
| GAZ-SAZ-3509 | 27 LNG |
| GAZ-SAZ-35101 | 28 B* |
| ZIL-SAAZ 4545 (ZMZ-508.300) | 40,1 |
| ZIL-SAAZ 454510 (D-245.9E3) | 23.9 D |
| ZIL-SAAZ 4545 (ZIL-508.10) | 39,3 |
| ZIL-MMZ-554, -55413, -554M | 37 B* |
| ZIL-MMZ-555, -555A, -555G, -555GA, -555K, -555N, -555E, -555-76. -555-80 | 37 B* |
| ZIL-MMZ-585, -585B, -585V, -585D, -585E, -585I, -585K, -585L. -585M | 36 B* |
| ZIL-MMZ-4502, -45021, -45022, -4505 | 37 B* |
| ZIL-MMZ-45023 | 50 CIS* |
| ZIL-MMZ-45054, -138AB | 37.5 LNG* |
| ZIL-MMZ-4520 | 27.5 D |
| KAZ-600, -600AV, -600B, -600V | 36 B* |
| KAZ-4540 | 28 D* |
| KamAZ-43255 (Cummins EQB 180 20) | 25.9 D |
| KamAZ-43255A3 (Cummins 6ISBe210) | 29.7 D |
| KamAZ-45142-010-15 (KAMAZ-740.31) | 37.4 D |
| KamAZ-65115 (YaMZ-238M2-6) | 38.2 D |
| KamAZ-65115-62 (KAMAZ-740.62) | 39.7 D |
| KamAZ-65115-62 (KAMAZ-740.62) | 37.7 D |
| KamAZ-65115 (KAMAZ-740.30) | 36.8 D |
| KamAZ-6520-06 (KAMAZ-740.50) | 51.2 D |
| KamAZ-6520-20 (KAMAZ-740.60) | 45.3 D |
| KamAZ-6522 (KAMAZ-740.51) | 52.1 D |
| KamAZ-6522 (KAMAZ-740.51) | 44.3 D |
| KamAZ-6551-12 (KAMAZ-740.51) | 31.8 D |
| KamAZ-55102 (KAMAZ-740.62-280) | 32 D |
| KamAZ-55102 (YaMZ-238-8V-14.86-240-10M) | 35 D |
| KamAZ-5511 | 34 D |
| KamAZ-55111 | 36.5 D |
| KamAZ-55118 | 31 LNG*+9D or 35 D |
| KrAZ-256, -256B, -256B1, -256B1S | 48 D* |
| KrAZ-6505 | 50 D |
| KrAZ-6510 | 48 D |
| MAZ-5551A2-323 (YAMZ-6563.10) | 33.5 D |
| MAZ-6501A9-320-021 (YAMZ-650.10) | 45.4 D |
| MAZ-510, -510B, 510V, -510G, -511,512, -513, -513A | 28 D* |
| MAZ-5516 (YaMZ-238D-8V-14.86-330-8M) | 47.8 D |
| MAZ-551603-021 (YaMZ-238M2-8V-14.86-240-8M) | 46.3 D |
| MAZ-5551-020 R2 (YaMZ-238M2-8V-14.86-240-5M) | 35.7 D |
| MAZ-5549, -5551 | 28 D* |
| MoAZ-75051 | 85 D* |
| SAZ-3502 | 28 B* |
| SAZ-3503, -3504 | 26 B* |
| Ural-55571 (YaMZ-236NE2) | 43.8 D |
| Ural-63685-10 (YaMZ-760.10) | 43 D |
| Ural-5557 | 34 D |
| Ural-45286-01 (YaMZ-236NE2-6V-11.15-230-5M) | 44.5 D |
| Ural-55571 (with engine YaMZ-236-6V-11.15-180-5M) | 34.5 D |
| Foreign dump trucks | |
| Avia A-30KS | 15 D* |
| Dong Feng Del-3251A-1 | 51 D |
| Ford 65513-02 | 45.7 D |
| Ford Otosan Cargo 343D | 45.5 D |
| Hyndai HD 78 3.9D | 19 |
| IFA-W50/A | 19 D* |
| IFA-W50L/K | 24 D* |
| Iveco AMT 653900 | 52.4 D |
| Iveco P380SI8x4ENZ | 48.8 D |
| Iveco Euro Trakker Cursor 13 (6L-12?88-440-16M) | 49.2 D |
| Maqirus-232D19R | 30 D* |
| Maqirus-290D26R | 44 D* |
| MAN TGA 33.350 6×4 BB-WW | 39.2 D |
| MAN F 2000 40.414 DFAK | 52.3 D |
| Mitsubishi Fuso 8.2D | 28.5 D |
| Scania P380CB 6×4 EN Z | 40.8 D |
| Scania P380CB6x4ENZ | 46.5 D |
| Scania C 124 (6L-11.72-360-9M) | 49.4 D |
| Volvo FM 13.400 Truck 6×4 | 52.4 D |
| Volvo FM 13.440 Truck 6×4 | 45 D |
| Volvo FM 12 (6L-12,1-420-14M) | 38.6 D |
| Volvo FM (6L-12.8-400-9M) | 40.5 D |
| Tatga E815-2АOSO1 6×6.2 | 49.7 D |
| Tatga-138S1, -138S3 | 36 D* |
| Tatga-148S1M, -148S3 | 36 D* |
| Tatga-T815S1, -T815S1A, -T815SZ | 42 D* |
Technical characteristics of KamAZ 54901
Dimensions and load capacity:
- Length 6,350 millimeters;
- Width excluding mirrors: 2,550 mm;
- Height: 4,000 mm;
- Center distance: 3,600 mm;
- External overall turning radius: 8 meters;
- Wheel type: disc;
- Tire type: tubeless, radial, 315/70 R22.5;
- Curb weight: 8,400 kilograms;
- Maximum fifth wheel load: 11,300 kg;
- Fifth wheel height: 1,150 mm;
- Maximum semi-trailer weight: 35,600 kg;
- Gross vehicle weight: 44 tons;
- Maximum vehicle speed: 90 km/h.
Engine and fuel consumption
The truck is driven by a KamAZ 54901 diesel power unit. Structurally, it is an in-line six-cylinder engine with a turbocharging function and an air intercooling system. The working volume of the turbodiesel is 11.96 liters, and its rated power reaches 450 horsepower at a rotation speed of 1,900 rpm. The engine is equipped with a modern Common Rail fuel system, which helps save fuel and reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The cylinder block is made of cast iron; each cylinder has 4 valves.
In accordance with the operating manual, the efficiency of the KamAZ 54901 is 43%, however, the designers declare the possibility of further improving the engine and bringing it to Euro 6 standards. Today, the diesel engine complies with the Euro 5 standard.
The advantages of the new engine include:
- The presence of turbocharging with technology for reducing the charge air temperature;
- The presence of an electronic fuel injection system, in which electrically controlled injectors supply fuel under high pressure, which guarantees its complete combustion;
- Engine efficiency and high efficiency;
- Technology of deep purification of exhaust gases, which significantly increases the environmental friendliness of the engine.
The KamAZ 54901 truck tractor, as standard, is equipped with a fuel tank with a capacity of 800 liters. Also available for sale are cars equipped with two fuel tanks of 600 liters each. The declared fuel consumption corresponds to 30 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which once again emphasizes the efficiency of the car.
Transmission and power supply KamAZ 54901
Good acceleration dynamics and comfort in driving the truck are ensured by the new generation ZF 12TX2210 TD automatic 12-speed gearbox, created on the basis of fundamentally new technologies. First of all, drivers note the TraXon's quiet operation; overall, it produces 33% less noise than its predecessors. The new transmission also increases the vehicle’s efficiency, as engine torque is transmitted to the drive axles with virtually no loss of energy.
The electronics respond perfectly to road conditions and switch from one gear to another in a timely manner, with high precision and smoothness. This happens through the use of various sensors that analyze the slope of the road, curvature and turning direction, engine speed and many other aspects. The declared mileage of the ZF 12TX2210 TD TraXon transmission is 1,600,000 kilometers, without major repairs.
The interaction between the engine and gearbox is ensured through the mediation of the MFZ-350 clutch, manufactured by the German company ZF Sachs. This dry pull-type single disc clutch is found on many new generation truck models and is highly efficient and reliable.
Clutch diagram MFZ-350
The electronic and electrical systems of the KamAZ 54901 truck tractor are powered by two powerful 12-volt batteries with a total capacity of 450 A/h. Since the operating voltage of the car's electrical circuits is 24 volts, a voltage converter is installed here. The truck is also equipped with a 28-volt generator with a capacity of 3 kilowatts.
Brakes and safety systems KamAZ 54901
The KamAZ 54901 truck tractor is equipped with an effective safety system, which consists of disc brakes installed on each wheel of the truck; the brake system itself is equipped with stabilization technology. In addition, the following security systems are available on the car as standard:
- ASR: the main task of this system is to prevent the loss of traction between the wheels and the road; also, thanks to this technology, the load on the vehicle’s transmission is reduced;
- ESP: a modern electronic safety system that increases the car's directional stability on the road, protecting the car from skidding. With ESP technology, it is much easier for the driver to control the behavior of the car, especially when driving on wet or snowy roads.
- EBS: Electro-pneumatic pedal that has no physical contact with the brake system elements. When you press the drive, a signal is sent to the electronic control unit, as a result of which the system itself distributes the braking force to each wheel, depending on the situation on the road.
Fuel consumption of the Ural truck crane
4D 4L-2,402-116-5M 10.2 D IFA W50L 20.0 D Iveco ML 75E 6L-5,861-143-5M 21.4 D Magirus 232 D 19L 24.0 D Magirus 290 D 26L 34.0 D Mercedes- Benz 1843 Actros 6V-11,946-428-16M 25.6 D Mercedes-Benz 2540 L NR Actros 6V-11,946-394-16M 23.1 D Mercedes-Benz 2640 L Actros 6V-11,946-394-16M 23.8 D Mercedes -Benz 813D 4L-2,299-79-5M 14.1 D Scania R 114 LB 380 295 60R22.5 6L-10.64-380-14M 20.3 D Scania R 124 LB 420 295 60R22.5 6L-11.72 -420-14M 21.3 D Tatra 111R 33.0 D Volvo F10 6L-9,607-285-12M 20.9 D. This is the average value, taking into account all three of the above standards, for a specific group of special equipment: trucks, dump trucks, concrete mixers and, of course, truck cranes.
What they say on the forums: reviews from owners and drivers of KamAZ 54901
Alexander Evstigneev, 47 years old, Leningrad region:
The company purchased three KamAZ 54901 truck tractors a couple of months ago. They put me on one of them. What can I say – the car is impressive. A completely different cabin with modern equipment. Finally, the factory thought about the driver, the back does not get tired, visibility is excellent and the electronics help a lot. It’s difficult to say anything about the reliability of the units yet - the mileage is short, but the assembly sometimes causes bewilderment, just like in the old KamAZ, I had to tighten the bolts and nuts. No more shortcomings have yet been identified, although I heard the director complain about the high cost of the tractor.
Electronic variety
Intuitive human-machine interface has become an integral part of safety and ergonomics.
A huge number of electronic systems and mobile applications are offered as options for KAMAZ-54901. Among the latest solutions are a driver condition monitoring system, a turn and traffic jam assistant, autonomous driving in traffic jams, a system for remote location monitoring and control of vehicle parameters, which, among other things, can monitor fuel consumption and the fact of fuel drainage based on the location. Taking into account such devices as mileage timing and linking to maps, the tractor becomes a robot. However, electric units with specified characteristics have not been forgotten. The use of a thermoelectric exhaust gas heat recuperator allows an increase in efficiency by 3%, and another 2% is achieved by the use of an electrically driven turbocharger. The use of intelligent lubrication and cooling systems can together bring a 2% improvement in efficiency. Separately, the use of intelligent fuel equipment and auxiliary systems brings 0.5 and 0.55%.
Cabin interior
The main tractor with the index 5490 turned out to be almost a debut vehicle, which received a couple of cab variations at once. The first was handled and developed by Koreans from DMEC. But they produce it in modest quantities. The main cabin is a German variation, based on the fundamentally redesigned and modified cabin of the Axor truck from Mercedes.
However, this does not mean that the Russian cabin model is not unique. To the eye, it does not bear such a great resemblance to the image from Germany, but real KamAZ elements are immediately noticeable here. Frankly, only in appearance, but when you get into the cabin, it is noticeable that this is a fundamentally different and new car, atypical for the Kama plant neither in ergonomics, interior, layout, nor even in the level of comfort provided to the driver and passenger.
It’s enough to even quickly look at the interior of the KamAZ-5490 to understand that the cabin was actually made by German specialists - their focus on the driver’s comfort is difficult to confuse with anything.
The cabin itself is more spacious. It reaches a height of 1.91 meters and allows the driver, if necessary, to stand up and straighten up to his full height. The seats were installed from the company Grammer and Isringhausen, which are quite comfortable and have a damping suspension with all the required settings. The steering column is also adjustable in different positions.
The driver can stand up and straighten up to his full height if necessary.
Moreover, the car is equipped with cruise control, and also introduced electric windows and air conditioning. And this is not a top-end package, but a standard one. A little earlier, KamAZ lovers didn’t even dream of something like this, but today the most necessary things are present in the cabin of the 5490 model.
The pleasant moments did not end there, in the KamAZ cabin - it was decided to install a couple of sleeping beds inside the main tractor. They may be small (being 2 meters long, their width is only 68.5 and 70 cm), but they provide an opportunity for both drivers to rest at once when parking in a parking lot.
Installed pair of sleeping bunks
There are plenty of different compartments to keep all kinds of driver's belongings safe
But special attention should be paid to the front panel, which is optimally arranged to provide the driver with convenient access to the necessary controls. The steering wheel now has a pair of buttons
I was pleasantly pleased with the installation of armrests, which is very useful considering that trips can be very long. Near you you can find a pair of cup holders, a gear shift knob and a handbrake lever. The instrument panel received an anti-reflective coating. Basic equipment includes independent heating and an audio system.
Compartments for storing all kinds of driver's belongings
As a separate option, buyers will be able to order air conditioning and a mini-fridge. They also plan to install a navigation system on the new product. Based on the words of experts, with the help of such equipment, the domestic truck managed to get a little closer to European cars, and they can be a good competitor to them.
