With efficiency and aerodynamics industry buzzwords – XE stands for extreme efficiency, after all – Western Star needed a seat at the aero table, but was unwilling to sacrifice its unique styling cues to get there.
In fact, as much work went into making sure the truck look like a Western Star as went into getting the wind to whip around it.
Mike Guarino, on-highway and municipal segment manager with Western Star, says the company wasn’t interested in a “jelly bean” shape just for the sake of boosting MPGs. Instead, they clung tightly to refining Western Star’s trademark boxy design and sharp edges and leaned heavily on Detroit powertrain integration.
Boosting powertrain efficiencies, coupled with exterior aerodynamics improvement, has made the 5700XE the second most efficient truck on the road behind only Freightliner’s Cascadia.
And with the Phantom Package, a hot rod-inspired throwback decal kit available as an option, drivers can push 8MPG and look cool in the process. Kelley Platt, Western Star’s president, calls the truck “badass.” She winces as the words come out of her mouth but she’s right. Everything about this truck is uniquely Western Star and, yes, badass.
Take, for example, the distinct visor. Rather than tossing the classic accent piece into the trash, Guarino says it was specifically re-engineered to work with the slope in the hood’s rear air ramp to direct airflow over the cab.
