A Legend Reimagined

Mack created a legend with the Anthem, and its new regional version builds on that legend.

Mack’s Anthem is a legendary truck, and the redesigned Anthem — an all-new body in white chassis — is adding to that legend with new features making it perfectly suited for regional haul applications.

According to Blake Routh, senior product manager at Mack, the legacy Anthem served both long haul and regional haul, but with the release of the Pioneer, Mack now has two purpose-built trucks — the Pioneer, best suited for long haul with its industry leading fuel economy and the Anthem, best suited for regional haul with its leading maneuverability. He anticipates many customers spec’ing the new Anthem with a day cab; however, it also is available with 44-inch or 64-inch sleeper cab configurations.

While there are a variety of applications that the new Anthem can handle, it is well suited for weight-conscious customers including bulk haulers, dry bulk operations, food and beverage operations, and less-than-truckload fleets.

While Routh describes the new Anthem as being built from the ground up, he is quick to add that it carries over Mack DNA. “If you look at the styling, we still have a very Mack look. There is a flat-bottom steering wheel which is something that was carried over that really helps truck drivers of all sizes get into the truck easily. Our steel cab is a big safety feature that we carried over. It is a new cab, but it is still a steel cab, an even safer cab indeed. A lot of it is core principles to Mack like durability, reliability, safety, comfort, that are built into this Anthem.”

The new Anthem was engineered with maneuverability, fuel efficiency, comfort, safety, and uptime in mind.

Better maneuverability

Maneuverability is key in regional haul applications, as drivers often have to navigate tight spaces in cities or at pickup or delivery points. “It can be pretty stressful and intimidating getting in those environments, so having a truck that has great maneuverability, and a good turning radius is a plus,” Routh said. This increased maneuverability is achieved by a 113.5 inch bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) length. The legacy Anthem had a BBC of 117 inches, and the Pioneer’s BBC is 125.5 inches.

Layered on top of the improved maneuverability is greater visibility. The Anthem’s “aggressive” hood slope allows drivers to see 12% closer to the front bumper compared to previous designs. “I think the maneuverability aspect of the Anthem with it having the shorter nose, increased visibility, and the great turning radius is going to give the driver more confidence and give them more comfort and ultimately cause less accidents,” Routh said.

Another benefit of the shorter BBC is that it takes some weight off the tractor, which allows for additional payload. “For weight-conscious customers, every pound matters, so they will likely lean toward the Anthem,” he added.

Significant fuel economy savings

Controlling fuel costs is at the top of every fleet and driver’s list, and Anthem helps them do that by providing up to 10% improvement in fuel economy. This can translate to an approximate $5,000 annual fuel savings. According to Routh, 3% of that comes from powertrain improvements. “Similar to the Pioneer, our powertrain has been really revolutionized. We went from the MP8 to the MP13, which is giving that 3% fuel economy jump. No matter what model you get or how you configure it, you will see approximately a 3% improvement just from the powertrain.”

Other features of the upgraded powertrain include optimized shifting based on terrain and load, better performance in stop-and-go conditions, less downshifting on hills, and more torque at a lower rpm. The MP13 engine along with the 13-speed transmission’s Dynamic Overdrive technology shifts between Economy+, Economy and Performance modes, leading to optimal performance.

The other 7% in fuel savings comes from aerodynamic improvements. Mack fully redesigned the cab, which is now wedge shaped. “It starts out narrower in the front, and then going back it gets a little bit wider, which really helps with drag reduction,” he said.

Using Mack’s TruckBuilder, the dealer or customer can select from three aerodynamic packages — Aero Standard, Aero Plus, and Aero Max. Aero improvements include things as simple as the placement of the Bulldog hood ornament. On the Anthem, the Bulldog is recessed, which reduces wind drag while still giving the truck the iconic Mack look. “The Aero Max is the package that really focuses on fuel economy and aerodynamics,” Routh said. “For fleets focused on fuel economy, that is the package to select.”

The three-piece hood also was designed with aerodynamics in mind and comes with the added benefit of allowing individual sections to be replaced in the event of damage. A fully enclosed cab skirt and fairing help smooth out airflow but provide access to the covered fuel and DEF tank.

There are several optional aerodynamic improvements that are part of the aero packages. Optional cab side deflectors enable smoother air flow from the cab to the trailer, and a digital mirror system replicates traditional mirrors and eliminates aero drag. Front and rear wheel closeouts push air around the wheels, providing a clean aerodynamic flow. The optional chassis fairing provides a higher approach angle, which not only helps with reducing aerodynamic drag but also helps drivers maneuver in tight corners and loading docks.

Creature comforts

The driver is at the heart of everything Mack does, and the Anthem was redesigned with the driver in mind.

To begin with, the truck’s cab is nine inches wider than the previous model. “If you look at the B pillar, the shoulder room, the driver is getting 9 inches from the previous Anthem, which is quite substantial,” Routh said.

Routh explained that he looks at comfort in two different ways. “It is where the driver meets the seat, and it is also where the truck meets the road.” The seat, which is now of the wide base variety, addresses the issue of where the driver meets the seat. The seats have several optional features including heating, cooling, and a massage feature. “The seats really make the driver experience a lot better,” he adds.

As for where the truck meets the road, Routh said that trucks historically have not been the smoothest ride in the world. “However, this one doesn’t feel like you are in a truck. The Anthem is very comfortable. We have redesigned the suspension, and it feels much more like a car as far as smoothness, which is really attractive to new drivers. They want a smooth ride, they want a nice truck, and we deliver that with the Anthem.”

A safety revolution

One of the biggest safety changes to the Anthem is the proprietary advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). “This is our own system; it is not an off-the-shelf product,” Routh said. “It was developed by us for our trucks.”

It is called Mack Protect, and Routh said the truck maker is really excited about it and the features it comes with. Features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. Features depend on the package selected. While blind spot warning has been available on the passenger side of Mack models, the redesigned Anthem has driver’s side blind spot warning as well. The lane keep feature is also new to the Anthem, and Routh said, “This going to help a driver in case they are starting to go over that lane line. If they get lane keep assist, it is going to help steer them back into their lane.”

He explains that Mack has split the safety options into three packages. “We have Mack Protect, which is standard on every truck regardless of what you spec, and it is basic forward collision warning. You have Mack Protect Pro, which adds blind spot warning and Side Curtain airbags, and then you have Mack Protect Premier, which adds lane keep assist.”

Front air bags are standard on the Anthem, but Mack has added side curtain air bags as an option, further enhancing safety. The integrated curtain airbag above the driver’s left shoulder is housed in an overhead compartment. In the event of a rollover, the airbag will deploy to protect the driver from impact with the side glass.

Keeping trucks on the road

Keeping trucks on the road is essential, and Mack’s connectivity features, which Routh referred to as uptime features, are available to customers purchasing the Anthem. “The Anthem is the most connected Mack ever,” said Routh, adding that the Pioneer also can claim that title.

“We call our bundle Integrated Uptime,” Routh explained. It has features like Mack Connect, over-the-air-programming, GuardDog Connect, and the MyMack app.

Mack Connect is the single source for performance data, location tracking, operational analytics, and diagnostic insights. Over-the-air programming allows software updates to take place without having to bring the truck in for a service appointment. GuardDog Connect automatically sends service-related data to dealers, which can significantly reduce repair time. We’re proud to say that our Integrated Uptime bundle now comes complimentary on every Pioneer and Anthem for 5 years.

“The app allows drivers to check fluids, set the parking cooler (if the truck is equipped with one), and perform their pre-trip inspections. This is a great feature, especially for small fleets that might not have the resources of a larger fleet. We help them stay connected to their truck,” he said.

A host of reasons to buy the Anthem

Routh said there are a number of reasons to buy the new Anthem. “First and foremost, it is going to be the most comfortable truck on the road. It is going to be the most comfortable truck to spend time in, and the drivers are going to enjoy the ride.”

He added, “From a safety perspective, we think we are as good as anyone, if not better, from an active safety standpoint and from a passive one with our steel cab and some of the alerts we have built in.

“The fuel efficiency is slightly behind the Pioneer, but from a short BBC, it is the most fuel efficient truck. Lastly it is going to be the most connected.”

He concluded, “If you are comparing the Anthem to the Pioneer, and you want all the great features of the Pioneer, but you want better maneuverability, and a little bit better payload, you should choose the Anthem.”

Routh believes the Anthem represents the things Mack stands for, including being reliable, durable, and performing well in the real world.

Regional haul has its own unique demands — precise power, maneuverability, performance and safety — and the new Anthem addresses all of them. Look for the Anthem to become the new standard in regional haul.