PACCAR Unleashes Innovation at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show
There’s something about the Brisbane Truck Show that stirs the soul of the Australian road transport industry. Maybe it’s the scent of new leather interiors, the gleam of polished alloy, or the sound of excited chatter from operators who’ve clocked millions of hard-earned kilometres. Whatever it is, there’s no denying the electricity in the air at Stand 40 – where PACCAR has rolled out its biggest and boldest line-up yet.
This year, PACCAR Australia didn’t just bring trucks – they brought the future.
The Thunder from Melbourne – DAF XG 15L 660hp
Among the headline acts is a beast born of European heritage and refined for Aussie muscle – the Australian-built DAF XG 15-litre, 660hp. Since its release in late 2024, it’s been shaking up the long-haul scene with its sheer brawn, brilliant efficiency, and surprising agility.
I had the chance to climb inside, and let me tell you – it’s more like stepping into a premium hotel suite than a truck cab. The elongated sleeper offers unmatched space and comfort, complete with intelligent storage and sleeping quarters purpose-built for those big days and longer nights.
Beneath that refined shell is a drivetrain tailor-made for Australia’s unforgiving conditions. With Meritor axles, PACCAR Airglide suspension, a GCM of 97 tonnes, and 3,200Nm of torque, the XG chews through B-double loads without breaking a sweat. And with a 1,150-litre fuel capacity, you can comfortably run Melbourne to Brisbane without a stop.
It’s no surprise this unit has already amassed nearly seven million kilometres of local validation, working hand-in-hand with PACCAR’s global engineering teams. This is not just a truck – it’s a homegrown answer to the toughest freight challenges.
Quietly Charging Ahead – DAF XB Electric
But PACCAR isn’t only about horsepower – they’re charging headlong into the zero-emissions era. The DAF XB Electric is on Australian soil for evaluation, and it’s already showing promise in inner-city and regional distribution applications.
With its nimble turning circle, spacious yet compact cab, and whisper-quiet driveline, the XB Electric is ideal for operators looking to reduce emissions without sacrificing comfort or drivability.
And that’s the real story here: PACCAR isn’t chasing headlines – they’re building real-world solutions. Whether you’re running triple road trains or metro drops, they’ve got a machine engineered for your world.
The Next Chapter of Kenworth – A Legend Reimagined
Since 1971, Kenworth has carved its legacy into the red dust and asphalt of this country, one custom-built truck at a time. And now, almost a decade after the T610 rewrote the rulebook, the brand returns with a new generation of wide-cab marvels: T320, T420, T620, and the head-turning T620SAR.
This evolution isn’t just cosmetic. With ADR 80/04 emissions standards looming, Kenworth engineers rolled up their sleeves and went bush – literally – gathering feedback from operators, drivers, and fleet managers to build something better.
“It wasn’t about starting from scratch,” explains Michael Long, PACCAR Australia’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “It was about listening. The bones were strong, but there were areas where we could refine, enhance, and elevate.”
Inside the Engineering – Built with Purpose
Chief Engineer Brad May shared that his team spent months in the field, riding shotgun and wrenching alongside real-world operators. That immersion paid off. The result is a fleet that delivers both performance and peace of mind.
The T620 and T620SAR come loaded with the Cummins X15 Euro 6, dishing out up to 625hp and 2,050 lb-ft of torque from just 1,000 rpm. That’s serious pulling power, whether you’re hauling livestock in the Channel Country or pushing B-doubles through the Great Dividing Range.
Meanwhile, the T420SAR is powered by the ADR 80/04 compliant PACCAR MX-13, paired with PACCAR’s finely tuned TX-12 and TX-18 transmissions. And for the mid-duty market, the T320 offers a versatile 9-litre platform, ideal for rigids, agitators, and vocational work.
Smarter Trucks for a Tougher World
Of course, raw muscle means nothing without brains to back it up. That’s where PACCAR Connect steps in – a telematics platform that bridges the gap between the road and the boardroom.
Ross Cureton, Director of Product Planning, put it best: “We’re not just building trucks anymore – we’re building business tools. Accurate, real-time data isn’t a luxury anymore, it’s essential.”
With live tracking, intuitive dashboards, and custom reporting, PACCAR Connect arms operators with insights to reduce downtime, improve fuel economy, and stay on top of compliance – without drowning in complexity.
Driver-Centric Innovation
Kenworth’s new 15-inch digital instrument panel is a game-changer. Fully customisable, it displays only the information the driver wants – reducing distraction while enhancing situational awareness. From early-warning alerts to trip data, everything’s at the driver’s fingertips, cleanly presented and easy to digest.
“It’s about giving drivers the tools they need to do their job safely, efficiently, and comfortably,” Michael Long added. “It’s simple. The better the experience in the cab, the better the outcome for the operator.”
Final Gear Change
At Stand 40, PACCAR didn’t just show trucks – they’re showed commitment. Commitment to innovation, to sustainability, and most of all, to the Australian operator.
Whether it’s the brute power of the DAF XG, the quiet confidence of the XB Electric, or the battle-tested evolution of the Kenworth fleet, one thing’s certain: PACCAR is putting the future to work.
