New models '19: Medium

Electric vehicle maker Chanje has updated its Class 5 battery-electric panel van from the V8070 to the V8100. The name designation signifies some basic information on the vehicle: "V" refers to it being a van, the "8" references its 8-meter length (about 26.5 ft.), and "100" is a nod to its 100 kWh battery bank, which is an increase over the former V8070 model's 70 kWh battery capacity. The new V8100 also has a higher-capacity 13.3 kW charger with Level 2 and DC Fast Charge ports; it can be Level 2 charged overnight or fast-charged to 80% capacity in about an hour, according to Chanje. The V8100 is targeted at delivery operations and urban hauling, especially with its zero-emission, quiet electric operation. It has a range of about 150 miles carrying 2,000 lbs. of payload, while max payload is 6,000 lbs. and cargo capacity is 675 cu. ft. Its dual electric motors are rated at 198 hp. and 563 lbs.-ft. of torque.

Chevy had big news this year with the launch of its long-promised conventional cab medium-duty trucks, and the 2019 Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD will be offered as Chassis Cab models ready for upfitting. They come in 2WD and 4WD variants and are powered by General Motors' 6.6L V8 Duramax diesel engine rated at 350 hp. and 700 lbs.-ft. of torque. The trucks were jointly developed by GM and Navistar and are expected to go into production in late 2018 at Navistar's Springfield, OH, assembly plant. Chevy's Low-Cab Forward cabover trucks built in partnership with Isuzu enter the medium-duty classes with the 4500 powered by a 6.0L gasoline V8 and continue on up to the 6500XD. The 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD, and 5500XD are powered by Isuzu's 5.2L diesel engine rated at 215 hp. and 452 lbs.-ft. of torque, while the 6500XD has the same engine, only with 215 hp. and 520 lbs.-ft. of torque.

Ford's Super Duty pickups include the F-450, which offers a 6.7L V8 Power Stroke turbo diesel engine good for 450 hp. and 935 lbs.-ft. of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It's available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab models. The F-450 and F-550 Chassis Cabs, depending on model, get either a 6.8L gasoline V10 that makes 288 hp. and 424 lbs.-ft. of torque or a 6.7L V8 Power Stroke turbo diesel rated at 330 hp. and 750 lbs.-ft. of torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic. The F-650 Super Duty Chassis Cab comes as a gas-powered variant with a 6.8L V10 making 320 hp. and 460 lbs.-ft. of torque; the diesel model gets Ford's 6.7L V8 Power Stroke engine rated at a minimum of 270 hp. and 675 lbs.-ft. of torque and maximum of 330 hp. and 725 lbs.-ft. of torque. Varying by model, all these Ford trucks offer speed limiters at 65 mph, 70 mph, or 75 mph.

Freightliner's sole offering that dips into the medium-duty segment, the M2 106, can be spec'd as a Class 6 truck and is available as a straight truck or tractor. Its aluminum body is reinforced with steel for strength. It's available with a Cummins B6.7 inline 6-cyl. turbo diesel rated at 200-325 hp. and 520-750 lbs.-ft of torque or L9 6-cyl. turbo diesel with 260-350 hp. and 720-1,150 lbs.-ft. of torque. Native power options include the Detroit DD5 5.1L 4-cyl. turbo diesel—exclusive on the M2 106—with ratings of 200-230 hp. and 575-660 lbs.-ft. of torque and Detroit DD8 7.7L 6-cyl. turbo diesel with ratings of 260-350 hp. and 660-1,050 lbs.-ft. of torque. Although it's not slated for full production until 2021, Freightliner recently launched a battery-electric version of this truck called the eM2 that's aimed at local distribution, food and beverage delivery, and other uses with a range up to 230 miles. Penske Truck Leasing is set to begin testing out eM2 trucks starting later this year.

FCCC models available include the MT walk-in van chassis, which offers weight ratings ranging from Class 4 to 7 and can be built with diesel, gasoline, compressed natural gas (CNG), or liquefied propane gas (LPG) powerplants. The diesel option is a Cummins B6.7 6.7L turbo diesel rated at 200-300 hp. and 520-660 lbs.-ft. of torque, while the gasoline engine available is General Motors' 6.0L Vortec V8 with 308 hp. and 367 lbs.-ft. of torque. That GM engine can come with those same ratings but prepped for CNG or LPG instead. FCCC's S2G chassis has weight ratings that begin at Class 6 and stretch to Class 7 and comes with the U.S. medium-duty segment's only factory-installed LPG engine, an 8.0L V8 from Powertrain Integration good for 339 hp. and 495 lbs.-ft. of torque. The S2G is available in multiple configurations, from box or flatbed truck to propane delivery vehicle, and in wheelbases from 188 to 219 in.

Hino's 2019 offerings begin with the Class 4 155 cabover truck and its 5L diesel engine rated at 201 hp. and 440 lbs.-ft. of torque and Aisin A465 6-speed automatic. It's available in standard and double cab variants, as is the Class 5 195, which comes with the same engine and transmission; the 195h model is a diesel-electric hybrid alternative. Hino's conventional cab medium-duty trucks include the Class 6 238, 258LP (low profile), 258ALP (air brakes, low profile), 268, and 268A (air brakes) models. All of them come with Hino's 8L inline 6-cyl. diesel engine, which in the lightest 238 makes 230 hp. and 520 lbs.-ft. of torque and in the others offers those ratings or higher-output versions with 260 hp. and 660 lbs.-ft. of torque. Hino offers a preventive service care program, HinoCare, for diesel-powered models that covers and manages standard maintenance such as oil, fuel, and air filter replacements and brake pad checks.

Navistar International has seen some growth in its share of the medium-duty truck market and is looking to continue that trend with its new MV truck, which will replace the Durastar. Both trucks are available as Day Cab, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab models with wheelbases from 128 to 254 in. They also both offer Cummins B6.7 turbo diesel engines with 200 hp. and 520 lbs.-ft. of torque or as much as 325 hp. and 750 lbs.-ft. of torque; a Cummins L9 turbo diesel is optional, with up to 350 hp. and 1,000 lbs.-ft. of torque. The outgoing Durastar also includes an option for a Navistar N9, but that's only existing stock since the OEM no longer produces them. Among other features, the MV Series trucks offer enhanced visibility, greater wheel cut for a tighter turning radius, a pre-trip inspection function to assist drivers, and Navistar's simplified new shift stalk with forward, reverse, neutral, and Jake brake controls. A central display in the instrument cluster is operated with a passenger-car-like toggle switch.

Isuzu's latest addition to its 2019 lineup for North America is a Crew Cab model of its Class 5 NRR cabover, which seats up to seven passengers and is powered by the OEM's 5.2L 4-cyl. turbo diesel rated at 215 hp. and 452 lbs.-ft. of torque. Although the NPR truck begins as a Class 3 featuring either General Motors' 6.0L gasoline-, CNG-, or LPG-capable V8 engine or Isuzu's 3.0L turbo diesel, the NPR-HD and NPR-XD models are Class 4 trucks and get the 5.2L turbo diesel with the same specs as the NRR. Isuzu nuances the N-Series cabovers by weight rating with different axle capacities: the Class 5 NQR is only slightly different than the NRR, with the same powertrain layout but 1,414 lbs. less maximum body/payload allowance. Isuzu's largest truck is the Class 6 FTR, which is available in standard cab configuration and also gets the 5.2L turbo diesel engine, only with a higher torque rating of 520 lbs.-ft. Notably, Isuzu began testing a battery-electric version of the NPR-HD this year.

The lightest truck in Kenworth's lineup, the Class 5 conventional cab T170, offers Paccar's PX-7 6.7L inline 6-cyl. turbo diesel with ratings of 200-340 hp. and 520-800 lbs.-ft. of torque, although the high end of those ratings is only for fire service vehicles. Optional is Paccar's PX-9 8.9L turbo diesel with 260-450 hp. and 720-1,250 lbs.-ft. of torque, again with highest ratings reserved for fire service applications. The T170's larger sibling, the Class 6 T270, features the same engine options, and both trucks can be spec'd with a range of Eaton Fuller manual, Ultrashift automated manual, or Allison automatic transmissions. The T170 and T270 are available as straight trucks that can be built with stake, wrecker, refrigerator, and other bodies. Kenworth's Class 6 K270 cabover truck comes with the Paccar PX-7 turbo diesel with ratings of 220-250 hp. and 520-660 lbs.-ft. of torque and a range of Allison automatic transmissions.

The latest addition for 2019 to the Fuso cabover lineup is a gasoline Powertrain option for a number of the FE Series trucks. That is a General Motors 6.0L V8 that makes 297 hp. and 361 lbs.-ft. of torque paired with an Allison 1000 Series automatic transmission, and it's available in the Class 4 Fuso FE140, FE160, and FE160 Crew Cab; it's also on the way for the Class 5 FE180. The trucks otherwise offer a Fuso 3.0L 4-cyl. turbo diesel rated at 161 hp. and 295 lbs.-ft. of torque. The Fuso lineup starts with the lighter Class 3 FE130, with the trucks targeted at uses like landscaping, groundskeeping, construction, and urban transport. A standout in the lineup is the FG4X4, which has a switchable rear/all-wheel-drive system. Fuso also pegged 2019 for full launch of its Class 4 battery electric eCanter, which in early production has featured ranges of 60-80 miles per charge and optional DC fast charging in one to two hours. With all those powertrains, Fuso claims its medium-duty cabovers offer the broadest choice.

Peterbilt's 220 cabover truck begins with weight ratings on the upper edge of Class 6 and is aimed at applications like pickup and delivery, beverage, and refuse trucks, with a low chassis weight to allow for higher payload. It comes with Paccar's PX-7 6.7L turbo diesel with ratings of 220-260 hp. and up to 600 lbs.-ft. of torque and Allison 2000/3000 Series automatics. The Class 5 conventional cab 325 is available only as a straight truck and gets the same PX-7 engine, but with 200-300 hp. and 660 lbs.-ft. of torque and a choice of Eaton Fuller manual or Allison automatic transmissions. It targets utility, delivery, and other trucks where no CDL is required. Nor is one needed for the Class 6 conventional cab 330, which gets a Paccar PX-7 with ratings of 200-325 hp. and up to 800 lbs.-ft. of torque; it makes for a slightly larger refrigerated, delivery, wrecker, or utility truck. The 330 is available with Eaton manual or automated manual or Allison automatic transmissions.

Ram releases some 2019 model updates officially in September, including for its trucks in the medium-duty classes. The Class 4 4500 and Class 5 5500 Chassis Cabs are designed to be "upfitter-friendly" and include a vehicle system interface module, or VSIM, to facilitate communication with aftermarket equipment. They're available in 2WD or 4WD configuration with regular or crew cabs. Powerplant options begin with a 6.4L gasoline V8 with 366 hp. and 429 lbs.-ft. of torque, or a Cummins 6.7L inline 6-cyl. turbo diesel is optional. The Cummins engine has 320 hp. and 650 lbs.-ft. of torque, or a high-output version produces 325 hp. and 750 lbs.-ft. of torque. The HEMI V8 and high-output Cummins engines are paired with an Aisin 6-speed automatic, while the normal-output Cummins 6.7L is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Ram Chassis Cab trucks are offered in Tradesman, SLT, and Laramie trim levels.

Workhorse's hybrid-electric Class 5 E-Gen step vans have been in use as delivery-type trucks for years, including as a test control vehicle employing the OEM's Horsefly octocopter drone as a delivery innovation. The E-Gen's electric motor delivers 268 hp. and 1,620 lbs.-ft. of torque, offering an electric-power-only range of 60 miles. When more than that is needed, the truck has a gasoline-powered, 2-cyl. BMW 650cc W20 range-extending engine that kicks in and acts as a generator to provide power to the electric motor and another 60 miles of range. The E-Gen comes in wheelbases of 157 in. or 178 in. Several months ago, the E-Gen saw a new powertrain configuration as Workhorse teamed up with Plug Power to build one of the electric vans with a hydrogen fuel cell. That gives the E-Gen a range of more than 160 miles on each fill-up with hydrogen, which Workhorse said "virtually eliminates range anxiety."