Kenworth Expands Powertrain Options for T680, T880, W990
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Kenworth will make powertrains with the Paccar TX-12 PRO automated transmission and Paccar MX-13 engine combination available to T680, T880 and W990 customers, the truck maker said.
The TX-12 PRO transmission was previously available for the T680 and T880 vocational models with the PX-9 and MX-11 engines, a spokeswoman for the Paccar subsidiary said May 28.
Kenworth’s flagship T680 on-highway tractor is available with PX-9, MX-11 and MX-13 engines and TX-12, TX-12 PRO, TX-18 and TX-18 PRO automated transmissions.
The T680 is also available with Cummins’ X15 engines and Eaton Endurant HD, Endurant XD, and Endurant XD Pro automated transmissions.
Customers’ options for the T880 comprise PX-9, MX-11 and MX-13 engines and TX-12, TX-12 PRO, TX-18 and TX-18 PRO transmissions.
The Paccar TX-12 PRO automated transmission and Paccar MX-13 engine combination. (Kenworth)
The T880 is also available with X15 engines, Eaton Endurant HD, Endurant XD and Endurant XD Pro transmissions, plus Allison automatic transmissions.
Kenworth began production of T680s and T880s with the X15N natural gas engine in the third quarter of 2024.
The W990 is available with an MX-13 engine and TX-12, TX-12 PRO, TX-18 and TX-18 PRO automated transmissions. It is also available with X15 engines, Eaton Endurant HD, Endurant XD and Endurant XD Pro manual transmissions, plus Allison automatic transmissions.
Paccar’s TX-12 PRO transmission is engineered to operate with all MX-11 and PX-9 engine ratings up to 445 horsepower and 1,700 pound-feet of torque; MX-13 engine ratings up to 455 hp and 1,650 lb.-ft. of torque; and 70,000 pounds of gross combination vehicle weight.
To help vocational trucks, features include Paccar’s extreme duty clutch for improved low-speed maneuvering and rock free mode to help trucks stuck in mud or sand.
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“The TX-12 PRO transmission’s integration with the MX-13 engine is a welcomed addition for our Class 8 customers that operate in vocational applications,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing.
Kenworth’s expanded lineup with a TX-12 PRO/MX-13 option follows sister company Peterbilt making the transmission and engine combination an option for buyers of its 579, 567 and 589 trucks in March.
The TX-12 Pro was introduced for heavy-duty and medium-duty Kenworth and Peterbilt models in March 2024.
Kenworth’s introduction of the combination for fleets requiring the truck maker’s flagship vehicles is part of an ongoing overhaul of its product lineup this spring.
In April, the original equipment manufacturer launched a revamped version of the battery-electric configuration of the T680.
Also, on April 28, Kenworth unveiled a battery-electric T880E, its first Class 8 battery-electric vocational truck.
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The redesigned T680E — unveiled at the 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Anaheim, Calif. — was available to order immediately, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin later in 2025. It will be available as a day cab as either a tractor or straight truck in a 6×4 axle configuration.
The legacy T680E was launched in October 2020 and was Kenworth’s first Class 8 battery-electric truck.
The latest T680E offers a powertrain developed in-house at Paccar. Kenworth said Paccar’s ePowertrain delivers 365 to 470 hp continuous power and up to 605 hp peak with 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque. The T880Es also will utilize the in-house powertrain.
But Kenworth will halt manufacturing of three of its legacy 1.9-meter cab Class 8 tractors in 2026, including the W900, the first examples of which began rolling off the production line as far back as 1963.
Kenworth said March 19 that production of W900s, comprising the W900L and W900B models; T800W (wide-hood); and the C500 would conclude in 2026.
The last truck orders will be taken later in 2025, the truck maker added.
Kenworth expects the W990 and T880 trucks to serve the needs of W900 buyers going forward, the company said.
Paccar units have been retiring a number of heritage models over the past 18 months, including Peterbilt’s Model 389 tractor, which was replaced by the Model 589, production of which began in January 2024.
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But serial production of Kenworth hydrogen fuel cell electric T680 tractors will not begin in 2025 as previously announced.
In the latest setback for Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell truck prospects in the U.S., Kenworth Chief Engineer Joe Adams said April 8 that the truck maker is evaluating when production of the Toyota fuel cell-powered tractor will begin.
Kenworth is still calibrating the tractor, making sure the appropriate refueling infrastructure is in place and also wants to make sure the truck is profitable, Adams told reporters touring the Paccar Technical Center in Mount Vernon, Wash.
