March 18, 2008 Mack Trucks unveiled the most powerful truck in its century-long history last week in Las Vegas. The appropriately named Titan is a derivative of the truck built by Mack Australia specifically to pull road trains in the vast and rugged Australian “outback.” The 16-liter inline six-cylinder diesel MP10 engine can deliver 2,060 lb-ft of torque at just 1200 rpm and runs through an 18-speed transmission.
The Titan is designed for heavy transport and heavy construction applications, where massive grunt is needed to pull the heavy loads encountered in logging and mining from a dead stop, and lots of power is needed to get those loads up to highway speeds.
Certified to the US'07 emission standards, the MP10 has a single overhead camshaft and high-pressure fuel injection and will be available in three ratings, with peak horsepower of 515 hp, 565 hp and 605 hp, all with the MaxiCruise torque rise.
The MP10 has the same Vehicle Management and Control System, (V-MAC IV) already seen in the company’s 11-litre MP7 and 13-litre MP8 engines, and has a "hump" horsepower curve – unlike most other vehicles, it makes more power at 1,500 RPM than it does at 1,850 RPM, encouraging short-shifting for better fuel efficiency. A Maxidyne configuration will be released later, he added.
The Titan the cab is moved back and up on the chassis for the classic "heavy haul" position and excellent driver visibility. The higher cab position also improves airflow for underhood cooling.
The most stunning exterior feature of the Titan by Mack model is its twin cowl-mounted "Growler" air intakes. The bright-finish air intakes are as functional as they are eye-catching, and provide several advantages over external air cleaner assemblies.
The design of the system minimizes moisture and screens debris from reaching the air filter element. The smooth, non-restrictive piping is optimized for high-volume airflow. And the air filter elements are located under the cab for easy service. The air intakes are standard with integrated LED lamps, for an even bolder and more modern appearance.
The MP10 engine is matched to the Mack T300ES series 10-, 13- and 18-speed transmissions, to deliver triple countershaft performance for the most demanding vocational applications. Eaton transmissions are an available option.
The Titan model's power is matched by the company’s Cornerstone chassis which is offered in three frame rail thicknesses - 8mm, 9.5mm and 11mm - with optional full or partial 5mm inside channel reinforcements, and application-specific crossmembers. Frames are rated at 120,000 PSI, and 2.12 million RBM ((pounds per inch) to 4.26 million RBM.
A short 41-inch front axle position increases load capacity, while providing outstanding maneuverability in tight jobsite conditions. The combination of the Titan model's front axle position and high ground clearance also gives drivers an excellent approach angle for the sharp inclines and uneven terrain frequently found in logging and construction.
Front axles and suspensions are available from 12,000 to 20,000 lb. capacity, while rear axles and suspensions are offered from 38,000 lb. to 65,000 lb. capacity.
At the same time, drivers will experience a "highway ride" even when off-road, courtesy of the Titan model's new air-ride cab mounting. The cab is mounted on twin wide-spaced air bags with shocks to neutralize the harsh bumps found in the vocational world, while stabilizers prevent cab sway. So while the truck soaks up the rough stuff, the driver stays comfortable, rested and productive.
The Titan cab has numerous highly engineered features to dramatically reduce noise and vibration for a smooth, quiet ride. The air assist clutch pedal is positioned low to help drivers work more productively, with less leg effort. And by simply pressing a foot pedal, the steering column can be adjusted to an infinite number of positions, placing the steering wheel for maximum comfort, increased belly room and improved visibility of all gauges for drivers of any size.
The interior is available in three trim levels: Pedigree, Champion and the luxurious button tuck Rawhide Edition. The cab features plenty of convenient overhead storage bins and four-point lighting (two lights for general illumination, one map light and one task light over the steering wheel).
The dash is available in a choice of woodgrain or brushed nickel finishes. The standard instrument cluster features large, easy-to-read displays and gauges to help keep drivers focused on the road.
The standard Mack Co-Pilot display provides drivers with easily accessible screens in the instrument panel to monitor real-time fuel economy with sweet spot indicator and trip data, detailed maintenance and fault summaries, and supplemental sensor readings.
The Lectronix T7000 navigational radio integrates entertainment, navigation, a blind spot camera display, and vehicle, trip and tire-pressure monitoring systems.
Customers may pre-order Titan trucks with Mack dealers now, with deliveries scheduled to begin late this year.
