One of the industry’s worst kept secrets, Caterpillar’s heavy-duty vocational day cab truck, currently known as the CT660, will make its world debut at CONEXPO later this week.
Internet rumours about Caterpillar entering the vocational truck market first surfaced after it entered the on-road truck market in Australia last year. Since then, Cat followers have had to make do with rumour and hearsay but with the launch now days away, details are beginning to emerge regarding the truck’s technology.
The Cat-branded truck, touted for a large variety of heavy-duty job applications, is based on Navistar’s International’s ProStar series and will be initially sold through the company’s North American dealer network.
The truck will come with a number of engine specs including: a Cat CT11 engine with ratings from 330-390 bhp and a Cat CT13 with ratings from 410-475 bhp. It has also been suggested that a Cat CT15 with ratings from 435 bhp to 550 bhp will follow in 2012.
“We’re hosting a pre-CONEXPO unveil event for the media. Several members of the On-Highway Team, including me, will be giving presentations,” said Cat Vocational Truck Product Manager Gary Blood on his blog. “We’ll have four trucks on display: one CT660 will have a concrete mixer body; another, a dump body; one is a Dealer Service Truck with a lube body; and the final truck will have a heavy hauler body. We’ll also have an engine and transmission display, as well as a cab display.
“These trucks are everything the Cat brand represents in terms of quality, durability, reliability, and driver ergonomics, so we’re looking forward to seeing the reaction to the CT660 at CONEXPO,” said Blood. “To say I’m excited for everyone to see the CT660 is a huge understatement!“
Although details about an international roll-out are unclear, Caterpillar has previously stated that it intends to export the trucks to international markets. Production will begin shortly for customer delivery later in the year.
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