Truck manufacturer and distributor Powerstar has introduced its new improved VX and V3 truck ranges at the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS), held at the Nasrec Expo Centre, in October.

The VX range includes improved versions of the company’s existing 2628, 2642S, 4035 and 2635A trucks.

The new 6 × 4 2628 VX Powerstar truck has a 280 hp engine and a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 26 t. It is avail- able as a freight carrier, water tanker, waste compacter, tipper and mixer, and is suitable for off-road applications or short to medium hauls. The 2628 is available as a VX cab as well.
The 6 × 6 2635A and the 8 × 4 4035 trucks have 350 hp engines and a GVM of 26 t, while the 6 × 4 2642S has a 420 hp engine and a GVM of 26 t. This truck is suitable for on-road medium to long-haul applic- ations. These three models will be available as VX cabs later next year.

Even though the V3 range was displayed for the first time at JIMS, it is still under- going testing and homologation and will be launched early next year. This range features the 2646S truck with a 460 hp engine.

Powerstar dealer development and marketing manager Erwin Stolze says that, even though the mechanical speci- fications of the previous range and the new VX range are the same, the new range features have improved driver comfort and safety; it also has a modern grille, bumper and cab, with a [standard] air-conditioning system.

“Our existing range has proven itself in construction and mining applications and the new range is expected to be just as good, but with a couple of improvements,” says Stolze.

He adds that the introduction of the new V3 long-haul or on-road range, which will feature Euro III engines and modern design, followed an extensive market analysis. The V3 range will be available with an optional 16-speed manual or automated manual transmission gearbox.

“The long-haul market is a large seg- ment in the extremely high vacuum market, with many competitors. We believe the introduction of our 2646S V3 models will give the customer a simpler solution at the right cost. We also envisage increasing our overall market share within the commercial vehicle market,” he says.

He notes that the company has already received orders for the new truck models.

Powerstar trucks are manufactured in China and assembled in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.