Truckies, new truck design concept!

[digger]

So what do you think?

-- (reminds me of the mercedes concept trucks..)

so would you drive it??

A Fuel-Efficient Big Rig From Walmart That Looks Like a Smushed Corvette

By Keith Barry
03.05.14

Efficiency counts when you have one of the world’s largest commercial truck fleets. That’s why Walmart has developed a new big rig that uses a radical design to increase airflow and cut fuel use.

It’s called the WAVE, which stands for Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience. It’s a concept truck and trailer that previews the future of long-haul freight, and it’s designed by Walmart in partnership with Peterbilt, Great Dane Trailers, and Capstone Turbine.

The cab might look like it ran over the back half of a Corvette, but that low profile shape makes it 20 percent more aerodynamic than your standard rig. It’s towing the world’s first 53-foot carbon fiber trailer, which you most certainly would not want to catch on a low bridge.

Inside, the driver sits in the middle–F1 style–and is flanked by LCD displays. But it’s not just for driving: There’s also a sleek sleeper cabin in the back.

The truck uses a turbine-powered battery-electric hybrid drivetrain, and the combustion engine can run on diesel, natural gas and biodiesel.

Curiously, there’s no mention of estimated fuel economy. But even the aerodynamic gains alone could save Walmart a massive amount of money. The company has a fleet of over 6,000 trucks, so every mile per gallon saved is monumental.

But right now actual numbers don’t matter–this is just a concept.

“It may never make it to the road, but it will allow us to test new technologies and new approaches,” says Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon. But if there’s an industry in need of disruption, trucking is it, and the WAVE could point the way forward for the future of long-haul hauling.


A Fuel-Efficient Big Rig From Walmart That Looks Like a Smushed Corvette | Autopia | Wired.com (http://www.wired.com/autopia/2014/03/walmart-big-rig/)

Walmart WAVE Concept Truck Revealed [video] (http://puregreencars.com/Green-Cars-News/Concepts/walmart-wave-concept-truck-revealed-video.html)

[d2dave]

So what do you think?

-- (reminds me of the mercedes concept trucks..)

so would you drive it??


No way would I drive that. I like to drive real trucks.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Yea, thats OK Dave if you buy it---

of course a company owner may not think that way:D

not sure how they cool it though:confused:

[Michael2]

If it's going to be powered like a train (diesel-electric), then they should take a leaf out of the bullet train design and not have a prime mover, but have an electric motor on each of the wheels for increased efficiency, traction and load sharing and reduced strain on drive components, as well as built in redundancy.

Actually, why don't they just get a bullet train and put rubber tyres on it? :eek:

[joel0407]

Actually, why don't they just get a bullet train and put rubber tyres on it? :eek:


Awesome comment.

They would have already put the work into the aero dynamics of the bullet train. Might as well just copy it.

Happy Days

[newhue]

If the conventional B Double with a modern Kenworth eats 1lt of diesel per kilometre, any improvement is good, regardless of looks.

[JDNSW]

I have trouble seeing vehicle standard authorities anywhere approving a centre steer vehicle for widespread road use!

And I doubt that aspect of it has much relevance to the Cx anyway.

John

[Mick_Marsh]

Electrically driven trucks have been around for years. Same as gas turbines for power generation. It's about time they put a little development into trucks.

If they could make this work (and I have no doubt that they can), It's got to be good.

[richard4u2]

if the truck is any thing like the products they sell god help an out back trucker with one

[Mick_Marsh]

if the truck is any thing like the products they sell god help an out back trucker with one
Not much chance of that. Have you seen their clientele?

[Sitec]

This was an attempt in Europe years ago.. and this is what they came up with! :D

[Mick_Marsh]

This was an attempt in Europe years ago.. and this is what they came up with! :D
The designer was obviously a fan of the "Thunderbirds".
FAB

[richard4u2]

This was an attempt in Europe years ago.. and this is what they came up with! :D
how would you be hitting a cow in that

[JDNSW]

This was an attempt in Europe years ago.. and this is what they came up with! :D

Actually I am surprised this sort of design has not caught on - allowing a longer tray for the same size vehicle would seem to have real advantages for a lot of goods, and after all, the tray on most standard trucks is above the level of the roof on many if not most cars these days. (Compare for example the trucks you occasionally see with a narrow custom cab with the tray extending alongside the cab.

John

[V8Ian]

Duplicate post.

[V8Ian]

I have trouble seeing vehicle standard authorities anywhere approving a centre steer vehicle for widespread road use!

And I doubt that aspect of it has much relevance to the Cx anyway.

John

As you say John, centre steer (island cab/long tom) has been banned; but bonneted Kenworths, particularly older models, are almost such. Until the midis '80s SAR and W model Kenworths had a cab width to rival an Austin A30, one can still touch the passenger door from the drivers' seats of the latest conventional cabs.

The in cab video looks as if the driving experience would be sterile and remote, not a good situation in a heavy vehicle.

An early Australian narrow cabbed Kenworth.

[V8Ian]

This was an attempt in Europe years ago.. and this is what they came up with! :D

There was one of these running 'round Brisbane a few years back. It didn't last long and I have no infomation on it.

[Bigbjorn]

Oh, Ian. I can just see you in one. Wearing your lilac driving suit, Gucci slippers, and blow waved hair.

[V8Ian]

All the money saved in fuel on that concept jigger would be spent on air-con running cost, sun screen and PPE to prevent skin cancers. :D

[Dougal]

This was an attempt in Europe years ago.. and this is what they came up with! :D

Those are used to move trailers on and off ferries. They aren't line haul rigs.
Last one I saw was nicknamed the undertaker.

[Bigbjorn]

Does anyone remember the 9 car rig that operated out of Sydney in the 70's? Built on a Leyland underfloor bus chassis with a small monoposto cab ahead of the front axle and slung down low. There was a car on top of the cab and a car alongside. Mostly worked BMC stuff but occasionally we saw it pick up a few Holdens at Pagewood usually subbying for another carrier. I accompanied Jeff Lees, son of Fred who owned Never Fail Car Transport, over to Johnny Baker's yard at Zetland to inspect it as it would have suited their country operation nicely, doing the work of two smaller units. Try as he may, Jeff (6'3" and lean) could not fit in. Then I tried (6'1" and big). Absolutely no chance either. How it got accepted and registered is beyond me. Almost non-existent visibility to the left with a car loaded there. And that tiny cab must have been hellishly hot in a western summer.

[rangieman]

No way would I drive that. I like to drive real trucks.

I spose you dont eat quiche either :p Thats right real men eat egg and bacon pie:p

[JDNSW]

As you say John, centre steer (island cab/long tom) has been banned; but bonneted Kenworths, particularly older models, are almost such. Until the midis '80s SAR and W model Kenworths had a cab width to rival an Austin A30, one can still touch the passenger door from the drivers' seats of the latest conventional cabs.

The in cab video looks as if the driving experience would be sterile and remote, not a good situation in a heavy vehicle.

An early Australian narrow cabbed Kenworth.

Just as narrow cabs on most trucks into the 1950s, with some, as you say, keeping the style for years after that.

John

[Bigbjorn]

Just as narrow cabs on most trucks into the 1950s, with some, as you say, keeping the style for years after that.

John

I have a photo of an International run by my Uncle Rowley Wall on the Winton-Longreach freight and mail that has no cab, no windscreen but four across seating. There is a passenger outboard of the driver. Dated 1923. Four across had vanished by the outbreak of WW2.

[JDNSW]

I have a photo of an International run by my Uncle Rowley Wall on the Winton-Longreach freight and mail that has no cab, no windscreen but four across seating. There is a passenger outboard of the driver. Dated 1923. Four across had vanished by the outbreak of WW2.

Perhaps not quite. Attached is a photo of our family "car" in 1950. My father built a new cab to fit the whole family on a 1925 Reo. (that's me on the left)

John

[Bearman]

Until the midis '80s SAR and W model Kenworths had a cab width to rival an Austin A30, one can still touch the passenger door from the drivers' seats of the latest conventional cabs.
An early Australian narrow cabbed Kenworth.

I reckon the that the old B model Macks were narrower than that Ian. Driver and passenger were almost rubbing shoulders.

[V8Ian]

Perhaps not quite. Attached is a photo of our family "car" in 1950. My father built a new cab to fit the whole family on a 1925 Reo. (that's me on the left)

John
I hope he got a blue plate for it John. ;)

[JDNSW]

I hope he got a blue plate for it John. ;)
Blue plates did not exist then - as your smiley indicates!

John

[olbod]

Besides my old 49 5 ton Austin workhorse, my favourite truck will always be the International R190 from around the 60's with a 36' Mcgrath single axle trailer.
Wish I still had mine.

[V8Ian]

Besides my old 49 5 ton Austin workhorse, my favourite truck will always be the International R190 from around the 60's with a 36' Mcgrath single axle trailer.
Wish I still had mine.
The old Inters of the day were highly regarded Robert. A bit before my time. You might find this place

HCVC Vintage Truck Forum - Index (http://www.hcvc.com.au/forum/YaBB.pl)

of interest.

[olbod]

The old Inters of the day were highly regarded Robert. A bit before my time. You might find this place

HCVC Vintage Truck Forum - Index (http://www.hcvc.com.au/forum/YaBB.pl)

of interest.


Thanks Ian, I look forward to looking at that link.

The R190 in the pic below is the same as mine except mine had a black bumper and no pin stripes.
It would cart 85 bales of wool when the clip was on.
Also had a 3 tier stock float that would carry a couple of hundred sheep.
Hated carting sheep because you have to stop now and then to stand the buggers back up and when you are crawling around in the lower tiers the mongrels would take great delight on ****ing on you.
Grrr, occasionally one would end up with a black eye if he started to laugh.

[Chucaro]

Perhaps would be a good idea to give this truck to Cootes for a year to see how it can handle a rigorous maintenance program :angel:

[stevo]

as with any big corporation making budget cuts and trying to save money maintenance seems to be the first to be trimmed back.

[JDNSW]

Besides my old 49 5 ton Austin workhorse, my favourite truck will always be the International R190 from around the 60's with a 36' Mcgrath single axle trailer.
Wish I still had mine.

In January 1967 I drove a R190 with a drilling rig on the back from Alice Springs to Brisbane.

John