Peterbilt revamps a classic, but stays true to roots with new Model 589
At a time when electric vehicles are getting most of the headlines, Peterbilt has assured customers that the long hood conventional is here to stay for the foreseeable future, with the launch of the Model 589.
The 589 will replace the Model 389 traditional-styled truck. Much of the styling that made the 389 popular – cab-mounted mirrors, pod-style headlights, dual stacks and external air cleaners – were retained, but a wider 2.1-meter cab gives drivers an extra eight inches of room. This makes a big difference when walking into the sleeper or storing gear in a day cab.
Thousands of dealers and customers gathered at Texas Motor Speedway May 9 to see the curtains pulled off the new truck, and then the following day driving it on the track. A Pride & Class show’n’shine was held outside the track, bringing together more than 200 Peterbilt show and working trucks.
Customer consultations
Jason Skoog, Peterbilt general manager and Paccar vice-president, said those same enthusiasts were consulted in the design of the 589.
“Distinction, customization, and connection to the heritage were things they most valued,” he said.
The update standardizes the Peterbilt Class 8 line cab at 2.1 meters, and also completes a full product line refresh. Skoog said the truck maker now boasts the newest cabs in the industry, across its Class 8 and medium-duty lines.
“We’re all out of trucks to refresh,” he said.
The 389 that is being replaced was introduced in 2006 and 110,000 have since been sold. There was an uptick in sales last year, Skoog said, perhaps due to whispers it was being discontinued. But fans of the 389 will be happy with the familiarity of the 589, as well as the extra space.
“We kept the classic exterior and upgraded the driver experience and amenities,” explained Jake Montero, assistant general manager – sales and marketing with Peterbilt. Modern features like predictive cruise control and tire pressure monitoring help drivers achieve good fuel economy while maintaining classic styling.
The cab-mounted mirrors are heated and motorized, and sleek daytime running lights are built into the fenders. The Model 589 brings back the rectangular pattern design within the stainless grille with bright aluminum surround. The cab and hood are also aluminum, saving weight, and simplifying repairs. Dents can often be taken out with a rubber mallet.
“The beauty about aluminum is, that damage won’t put you down on the side of the road,” said chief engineer Scott Newhouse. “We spent a lot of time talking to customers to understand the core values of the truck, and the aluminum hood was one of those things.”
The 15-inch diameter external air cleaners not only contribute to the classic appearance of the truck, but also make serviceability easier. A quarter turn of the top reveals the air filter that can be easily swapped out without opening the hood. Another throwback to classic-styled trucks are the dual 7-inch stacks.
The cooling module is the same as in the 389, so transitioning to the new model is easy. Cab-mounted mirrors eliminate concerns about water entering the door through the mirror’s connections.
Power options include the Paccar MX-13 and Cummins X15, the latter being popular among power-hungry severe service customers. A full complement of manual and automated manual transmissions from Paccar, Eaton and the Cummins-Eaton JV are available.
The interior has been completely redesigned to improve driver comfort. Visibility was improved by 50%, Newhouse said, and everything from the color selections to materials was chosen to exude luxury. Even the pedal package was upgraded for greater comfort.
The cab is quiet, something Newhouse attributes to the aluminum construction that adds both durability and noise abatement. The interior has LED lighting throughout, and space for a 22-inch TV and 42-inch mattress.
Legendary version
Customers wanting even greater distinction on the highway can choose a Legendary package that pays homage to Peterbilt’s history. It includes a Peterbilt script on the side of the hood as well as brightwork on the polished fenders and rockers.
Additional features include leather-grain seats with script logo in the headrest and unique stitching and badging on the door pad and dash. The first 589 to be built will be numbered, making them sought after by collectors.
“It would not surprise me if this becomes the core spec’,” Skoog said of the Legendary version.
Orders for the new 589 and 589 Legendary will be taken beginning in August, with production set to begin in January 2024. The 389 will be discontinued to make way for the new model.
A video showing the unveiling of the 589 can be seen below:
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I think Peterbilt is going to find out shortly how owner operators feel about the 589. They’re not gonna sell near as many of these as they did the 379 and 389. Drivers who buy this type of truck do so because they want the feel of an old style truck. They have the modern 579. Why did they mix this with old/new features. Looks like something from Johnny cash song One piece at a time. Why did you discontinue a truck that was so popular to the O/O drivers. I’m a 379 owner and like many comments I agree with saying I’m hanging on to my old Pete if this is new long hood
I want one with a C 15 Cat engine no deff system envioronmental scam stuff. Just Diseal muscle. I think its time to wake up and push back. We all know the difference is a result of political corruption a d half the federal regulations too.
How will the revised design hold up as compared to my current 2013 model 389? I have a million miles on this kit and there are absolutely no issues. Unfortunately, nobody can match this truck because it’s a glider with a C-15 Cat 6NZ.
Hopefully, the engineer types at Paccar take the high mileage aspect into consideration. Sadly, some of the controllers, such as the CECU and the, ABS controller which has failed twice in the span of the truck’s life to date. This $10k hit was due to a plastic washer fluid fitting resulting in fluid dripping onto the abs controller. Poor design. But that’s the only issue we’ve had with it.
Otherwise, the very best truck on the road.
As an older owner operator I’m glad to see Peterbilt staying true and carrying on with a classic truck in the age of aerodynamics. Looking forward to seeing these trucks hit the road.