Kenworth Launches New C580 Extreme-Duty Truck

Washington, United States- Kenworth Truck Company, a division of PACCAR Inc., a heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles manufacturer has introduced the all-new Kenworth C580 at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, ushering in the next generation of extreme-duty vocational trucking. The new model will replace the Kenworth C500, further strengthening Kenworth’s leadership with one of the industry’s most comprehensive vocational truck portfolios.

Built for the toughest off-highway and severe-service applications, the C580 combines the proven durability of the long-standing C500 chassis with the comfort, technology, and advanced integration of Kenworth’s latest cab platform. Production of the new truck is scheduled to begin in January 2027, while the C500 will be phased out in 2026.

Mr. Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing, said, “The Kenworth C580 marks a new era in extreme-duty performance, capable of hauling a gross combination weight of up to one million pounds. For more than 50 years, the C500 has set the benchmark in severe-service applications across the globe, operating in conditions and handling jobs that no other commercially available truck could. With the C580, we are honoring that legacy while delivering an even more capable and technologically advanced solution for today’s vocational customers.”

According to Haygood, Kenworth remains the only OEM serving the extreme-duty, off-highway vocational truck segment, with the C580 standing alone in its class.

Since its debut in 1972, the Kenworth C500 has earned a reputation as one of the most rugged and capable vocational trucks ever produced. It has been widely used in industries such as mining, oilfield operations, logging, heavy equipment transport, and prime mover applications, both in North America and in global markets where extreme loads, harsh terrain, and continuous-duty cycles are common.

“These trucks have operated in Arctic oilfields, in Borneo hauling logs and coal, across Asia moving massive mining equipment, and deep in the Amazon transporting transformers,” Haygood said. “They have gone where no other truck could, and now the new C580 is ready to carry that legacy forward handling the most demanding jobs both on and off the road.”

The C580 will be offered in single- or twin-steer axle configurations, with front-drive axle options supporting 4x4, 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10 layouts. The truck is engineered for exceptional load capacity, with axle ratings of up to 44,000 pounds on twin-steer axles and up to 165,000 pounds on tandem rear axles.

For the North American market, the C580 comes standard with EPA-compliant Cummins X15 engines, offering ratings of up to 605 horsepower and 2,050 lb.-ft. of torque. For export markets, additional Cummins X15 engine options will be available with multiple levels of Euro emissions compliance.

Kenworth is also offering a full range of transmission choices for the C580, including manual gearboxes, Allison 4000 and 6000 Series automatic transmissions, and marking a first in the extreme-duty segment the Eaton Endurant XD Pro automated transmission.

The truck features a massive 1,780-square-inch cooling module, enabling reliable high-horsepower operation in stationary, high-altitude, and extreme-heat environments. It also includes full-length parent frame rails extending to the front of the chassis to support FEPTO capability for specialized vocational applications. Standard dual 13-inch cowl-mounted ERA air cleaners deliver strong performance, easy service access, and signature Kenworth styling.

Although it is purpose-built for extreme-duty work, the C580 also introduces the latest comfort and technology features found in Kenworth’s broader vocational lineup, including the T880. The new cab provides improved visibility, a larger windshield, an optimized hood slope, and more room between the seats than the C500.

A customizable 15-inch digital display presents gauges and vital operating information clearly within the driver’s field of view, helping improve safety and efficiency. Standard heated LED headlamps further enhance visibility and driver confidence in challenging operating conditions.

Kenworth has also equipped the C580 with advanced safety and connectivity technologies. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) help improve driver safety, while TruckTech+ Remote Diagnostics provides real-time fleet insights into vehicle usage and health.

Durability remains central to the truck’s design. The C580 features abrasion-resistant double-wrapped exterior wiring harnesses, a sheet metal hood and fenders, heavy-duty five-piece crossmembers, and improved serviceability with enhanced access to major components. In addition, its shared electrical architecture with other Kenworth vocational models enables seamless integration of power takeoffs, auxiliary lighting, remote throttle controls, and body-specific systems.

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