Optimized Peterbilt 579 EPIQ tractor unit with aerodynamic package

Peterbilt 579 UltraLoft. Five stars for two

Marketers at Peterbilt Motors Company are confident that truck drivers will appreciate the new model of the Peterbilt 579 long-haul tractor with an improved UltraLoft sleeper module.

Andrey Karasev
UltraLoft is a cab-integrated sleeper for the flagship Model 579 long-haul tractor. The new cab's exterior and interior were designed and tested in close collaboration with customers and drivers, providing a great environment while maintaining Peterbilt's distinctive styling. Kyle Quinn, CEO of Peterbilt Motors Company and senior vice president of PACCAR, is confident that UltraLoft truck drivers will feel like they're in a five-star hotel for the entire long haul.

Occupants of the new Peterbilt 579 cab will appreciate the flat floor, additional storage space for personal items, and an enlarged seating area. UltraLoft will also appeal to transport company owners, who will soon notice a reduction in operating costs: the integral superstructure design with continuously adjustable fairings improves aerodynamics by 2%, resulting in an increase in efficiency of approximately 1% compared to the previous sleeper design.

The company presented its 203‑centimeter UltraLoft sleeping bag at a meeting with representatives of specialized printed publications. “We visited truck stops, recreational areas, hosted delegations from our key clients, Women in Trucking, and took everything they had to say,” explained Kyle Quinn. “Already at the very beginning of the project, we set the task for our engineering teams to realize as many of these desires as possible.”

The UltraLoft cab version with two berths has 1.8 m3 of free space, the version with one berth has 2 m3.

In total, negotiations were held with more than 400 drivers and operators. “We had existing and future customers come in and not only did they see the work, but people interacted with us,” said Scott Newhouse, chief engineer of Peterbilt Motors Company. — While creating a sleeping place, we saw how potential customers interact with our projects. As a result, they became the designers of the UltraLoft sleeping bag. This really contributed to the success of our final product.”

The result of the joint work of the developers was, for example, a completely redesigned sleeping area, more friendly than that of a traditional cabin. The new sleeping bag has 2 m3 of space for storing all kinds of utensils, wider mattresses, including a folding top shelf, which can be used as additional storage space if one driver is traveling on a flight. To facilitate access to the second sleeping tier, a new folding staircase has been designed. The interior includes 12- and 110-volt outlets and USB ports, which are also available on the top shelf.

If we talk about the ceiling, it should be noted that its height is the same not only for the entire front part of the cabin, but also for the sleeping area. The distance between the lower and upper bunks is 122 cm. This means that a person of average height can sit on the lower bed without bending over. The lower berth has a 216 cm long mattress and the upper berth is 208 cm long. UltraLoft has the widest berths in the industry: the lower one is 107 cm wide and the upper one is 91 cm wide.

The overhead sleeping bag can be folded in half, providing additional space in the cabin. The version of the UltraLoft cabin with two berths has 1.8 m3 of free space, in the version with one place this characteristic reaches two cubic meters.

To facilitate access to the second sleeping tier, a new folding staircase has been designed.

Peterbilt engineers also improved the lighting in the seating area. Preference is given to LED lamps. A large storage cupboard with an internal height of 107 cm has been installed in the living area for personal wardrobe storage. The storage areas are accessible from the driver and passenger side and are large enough to accommodate two CPAP machines (breathing therapy machines), if required, taking into account local legal requirements.

Drivers will also appreciate the extra space to accommodate a larger TV, such as a 32-inch diagonal. A pull-out table serves as a workspace or dining area. One of the cabinets can accommodate a 31-liter microwave oven.

As follows from the manufacturer's message, Peterbilt 579 UltraLoft is already available for order. The new truck will hit the production line in early July 2022.

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Peterbilt Motors Company is an 80-year-old US company producing classic trucks and tractor-trailers. A division of PACCAR. In 2012, the company released a truck tractor, the Peterbilt 579 model, which manufacturer representatives call the best on-road truck of all time.

We will transport tractors, trucks on trawls throughout Russia

Bill Kozek, Peterbilt CEO and PACCAR Vice President, said, “The all-new 579 goes beyond meeting market demand as an exceptional vehicle that meets the expectations of both trucking companies and their drivers. The model combines legendary Peterbilt quality and innovation with a product platform that addresses every aspect of vehicle performance and safety. From optimized cab dimensions to improved chassis design, from driver amenities to an updated electrical system. Every element of the 579's design was analyzed and engineered to deliver real benefits and business solutions that exceed industry trends."

Interior solutions and controls

As you know, the distinguishing feature of American trucks from their European counterparts is the hood, which gives them a special charismatic recognition. It also largely provides increased internal comfort for drivers. Peterbilt is often called a “home on wheels.” The lounge area is spacious, but everything is within easy reach of the driver. The sleeper bed can accommodate an 82-inch mattress and offers a special swivel mount designed to accommodate a flat-screen TV. Like most trucks in the segment, the Peterbilt 579 comes with comfortable seats. The seats have a wide cushion with optimized density and provide good lumbar support. The Evolution LX booster seats feature dual-chamber lumbar support, adjustable side bolsters, adjustable heating and ventilation, swivel capability and additional storage pockets. Interior materials are quite good compared to competitors. The Peterbilt 579 is available in two trim levels: Platinum and Prestige. Platinum offers a luxurious and elegant interior with wood accents in the cabin, while Prestige offers a good balance between comfort and functionality. Road visibility is excellent, thanks to a huge panoramic windshield that is thicker than previous designs and offers improved sound insulation. The A-pillar design is 20 percent narrower than competitors, further improving visibility without sacrificing strength. In addition to the standard 18-inch steering wheel, Peterbilt also offers an optional four-spoke Premium Wheel with integrated cruise control buttons. The controls are also elegantly organized and easy to access. The main instrument panel features easy-to-read gauges that are fully visible through the steering wheel. The instrument cluster also features a five-inch driver information display. The center display provides a new RPM engine speed indicator to help drivers save fuel and also has the ability to display virtual gauges. Peterbilt's SmartNav system was designed to function as a dual-function display that provides critical vehicle information and access to a variety of entertainment features. SmartNav includes a custom-designed Garmin navigation system, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition. The SmartNav audio system includes satellite radio, as well as MP3, USB and iPod. One drawback is that the navigation system will not allow you to add an address while the driver is driving along the road. And he won’t allow his partner to do this. You will have to spend up to thirty minutes. Made for safety, but it's tiring.

Engine, technological improvements and sales market

When it comes to engines, the Peterbilt 579 offers a choice of PACCAR MX and Cummins ISX15. PACCAR MX engines produce 380-485 hp. s., and the power of the Cummins ISX15 is 400-600 hp. With. In 2015, at the MATS-2015 exhibition, a modified version of the 579 model with the EPIQ package was presented. At the heart of EPIQ is APEX, which couples the PACCAR MX-13 engine and Fuller Advantage automatic transmission with proprietary optimized communications technology. The result is improved fuel economy (up to 14%), precise handling and reduced weight. But EPIQ's features don't stop there. The 579 EPIQ includes all available aerodynamic enhancements. Aerodynamic characteristics are refined using CFD (computational fluid dynamics). Speaking about the region of operation of 579, it is important to note that despite the interest of Russian transport workers in the “American”, it is an infrequent guest on Russian roads. This is primarily due to legal reasons, namely the current technical regulations, the intricacies of which are focused on European rather than American standards. It is unknown when the situation will change, mainly 579 is represented on Russian roads by used cars. The main sales market remains the same: North America, South America and Australia.

Hotel for two

UltraLoft is a cab-integrated sleeper for the flagship Model 579 long-haul tractor. According to company CEO and PACCAR Senior Vice President Kyle Quinn, the new UltraLoft was developed and tested in close collaboration with customers and drivers, providing a great environment while maintaining distinctive styling. Peterbilt. The development company's top manager is confident that drivers will fully accept this new home away from home.

Drivers will appreciate the flat floor, additional storage space for personal items, and an enlarged living area. UltraLoft will also appeal to fleet owners who will see reduced operating costs: the integral superstructure design improves aerodynamics by 2%, resulting in a 1% increase in efficiency compared to a traditional discrete sleeper design.

The company unveiled its 80-inch UltraLoft sleeping bag at a press event. “We visited truck stops, a rest area, hosted delegates from our customer councils, Women in Trucking, and listened to what they had to say,” explained Kyle Quinn. “We continued to work and challenged our engineering teams to realize as many of these desires as possible.”

In total, interviews were conducted with more than 400 drivers and operators. “We've had existing and future customers come to us and not only have they seen the work, they've interacted with us,” said Scott Newhouse, chief engineer of Peterbilt Motors Company. — While creating a sleeping place, we saw how potential customers interact with our projects. They eventually became the designers of the UltraLoft sleeping bag. This really contributed to the success of our final product.”

The result of the developers' work was, for example, a completely redesigned sleeping bag, more friendly than that of a traditional cabin. He got 70 cc. ft. of storage space for all kinds of utensils, wider mattresses, including a folding top shelf that can be used as additional storage space if there is no need for a second shelf. To facilitate access to the second sleeping tier, a new folding staircase has been designed. The interior includes 12- and 110-volt power outlets and USB ports, which are also available on the overhead bin.

The high ceiling is a distinctive characteristic not only of the entire front part of the cabin, but also of the sleeping area. There is 48 inches of headroom between the lower and upper bunks, so the driver can sit comfortably on the lower bed. The lower bunk has an 85-inch (216 cm) mattress and the top bunk has an 82-inch (208 cm) long mattress. A seven-foot (213 cm) tall person can sit comfortably on the lower tier. By the way, UltraLoft has the widest berths in the industry: the bottom is 42 inches (107 cm) wide and the top is 36 inches (91 cm) wide.

The overhead sleeper can be folded in half, providing additional space in the cabin. The two-berth version of the UltraLoft cab has 64 cu. ft. of available space, single seat version - 70 cu. ft.

The lighting in the seating area has been improved. A large storage closet with an internal height of 42 inches (107 cm) was placed in the room. The storage areas are accessible on the driver and passenger sides and are large enough to accommodate two CPAP (breathing therapy) machines if required.

Drivers will also appreciate the extra space to accommodate a larger TV, which can be as large as 32 inches.
A pull-out table serves as a workspace or dining area. One of the cabinets can accommodate a 1.1 cubic meter microwave oven. ft (31 l). Peterbilt 579 UltraLoft is available to order. Production will begin in July. Share