Cat Trucks’ new 630LS model hasn't gone into production yet, but Matt Wood has got his hands on a prototype
By Matt Wood | August 29, 2012
The new Cat CT630LS luxury sleeper is tipped to come in late 2012-early 2013, but I recently got hold of a prototype model for a run down the Stuart Highway.
The new long-wheel base is Cat’s flagship truck, and operators have placed a lot pre-orders for it.
While sources remain tight-lipped on exact numbers, production of the new model is expected to begin at NC2’s Texas plant in the United States in September.
The CT630LS will be powered by the new ADR80/03 emissions-compliant C15 ACERT engine developing 410.13kW (550hp) and 2,505Nm of torque.
In addition to the new compliant engine, the LS model is equipped with a 1,424mm walk-in integrated sleeper cab.
The new cab also provides 2,100mm of head room along with under-bunk storage, overhead storage and an under-bunk refrigerator. The long wheel base (5,505mm to 5,700mm) CT630LS comes with a GCM of up to 90 tonnes on Primax suspension.
The 15.2 litre Cat engine under the hood now meets ADR80/03 without resorting to exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) or selective catalytic reduction (SCR).
Instead, the ACERT engine remains relatively unchanged and relies on a crankcase breather, software upgrade and twin passive diesel particulate filters (DPFs) to satisfy Australian emissions criteria.
The use of passive DPFs eliminates the need for active regeneration, which EGR engines need to clear the system of particulate matter or soot.
My trip in the prototype model took me from Alice Springs to Adelaide towing a road train with a gross weight of 77 tonnes.
Check out the October edition of ATN for a detailed write-up of Cat’s new CT630LS.
