(VIDEO) Mack marks 125 years with launch of future-focused long-haul truck

With a nod to its storied past and an excitement for the future of trucking, Mack Trucks unveiled what it calls the most advanced, comfortable, and aerodynamic highway truck in its history at Brooklyn's Duggal Greenhouse.

The launch of the Pioneer, Mack's new long-haul model, coincides with the company's 125th anniversary, providing the opportunity to look ahead to the evolving demands and expectations of the next generation of trucking.

Just a few miles down the road from where the company began in 1900, Mack gathered dealers, customers, and industry partners to introduce its latest evolution in highway transport.

"We didn't bring you all the way to Brooklyn for just any truck," said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. "We are here to launch the new standard — the new standard in efficiency, in comfort, in safety, and in uptime."

Built like a Mack Truck

The Pioneer is Mack's first all-new highway truck since the launch of the Anthem in 2017 and comes with a ground-up redesign. The cab, chassis, suspension, powertrain, and driver interface have all been reimagined with one goal: to redefine what drivers and fleets can expect from a long-haul vehicle.

Industrial designers Lukas Yates and Vince Lokers, part of the product's development team, said the project began even before the release of the Mack Anthem. "Back in 2017, we were really planting the seed with the DNA for Mack," said Yates. "We really love turning every stone over... if we're not turning every stone over, we're not doing the brand justice."

The result is a highway tractor that retains the sturdy, muscular, no-nonsense attitude the brand is known for, while embracing the future with aerodynamic efficiency, ergonomic design, and digital connectivity baked in.

Aerodynamics that don't look like aerodynamics

One of the Pioneer's standout features is its wind-cutting profile. Every surface, from the iconic bulldog hood ornament, now recessed for improved airflow, to the integrated chassis fairings and digital mirror system, was optimized through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and real-world testing.

"We're going to go above the project targets because we know we can do it," said Lokers. And they did, with Mack claiming up to an 11 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over the Anthem, including 8 percent from aero enhancements alone (3 percent from powertrain improvements).

Even the lighting design was fine-tuned for form and function. "The headlamps had a lot of work put into them," said Yates. "When you see this coming down the road, you'll see the two halves of the ‘M' on each side of the headlamp. It creates quite the signature."

Interior overhaul: comfort, visibility, and control

Inside the cab, the Pioneer offers drivers a vastly improved work and living space. The cab is five inches wider than the Anthem, allowing for wide-base seats and additional shoulder room. The A-pillars were carefully placed to preserve visibility and accommodate mirror placement, conventional or digital, without compromising driver sightlines.

The redesigned dash, instrument cluster, and control layout reflect years of driver feedback and ergonomic research. "We built entire simulators of the cockpit where we could run different software and hardware, and make sure that we really got the productivity and the driver environment that we were after," said Johan Nordmark, chief engineer of electrical engineering and vehicle connectivity at Volvo Group. 

"Being all new, we really... formed the control panel, the instrument panel around the driver for optimizing reachability and ergonomics of it," said Lokers.

For sleeper configurations, Mack introduced its new Flex Suite option, which includes a folding table, reclining Murphy bed, and seating that stows away to create a rear lounge or workspace. Heating, cooling, and even massage seating are available in upper trim packages. 

Mack's new MaxAir suspension uses eight electronically tuned air bags to improve ride stability and reduce cab movement. Designed with long-haul drivers in mind, it helps smooth out rough roads and reduces fatigue over extended shifts. By minimizing motion through bridges and expansion joints, MaxAir is a practical upgrade that supports both driver satisfaction and on-road safety.

Under the hood

The Pioneer debuts with Mack's upgraded MP13 engine, delivering between 395-515 horsepower and up to 1,950 pound-feet of torque. It features a redesigned piston, combustion chamber updates, and is paired with an improved mDRIVE automated manual transmission that shifts 30 percent faster than the previous generation.

According to Mack, the powertrain contributes around 3 to 4 percent of the vehicle's fuel economy gains, with the rest attributed to aerodynamics and optional equipment like the digital mirror system and low-resistance wheel designs.

Safety suite and digital uptime

The new Mack Protect safety suite marks a significant step forward in active safety for the brand. The system uses forward-facing radar and cameras to support features like collision mitigation, lane keep assist, and pedestrian detection. The vehicle is also equipped with lane keep assist, available for one or both sides, and includes rollover protection systems that automatically unlock doors and activate interior lighting in the event of an emergency.

On the digital side, Mack's connectivity platform integrates telematics, diagnostics, and over-the-air updates into a cohesive system called Mack Integrated Uptime. Thirty electronic control units can be updated remotely, aided by AI that determines update order and timing. Drivers also get access to the new MyMack mobile app, enabling remote start, pre-trip inspection, and climate control from a smartphone.

Designed to disrupt 

According to Mack executives, the Pioneer is more than a truck — it's a platform for growth. 

"I believe it's the most efficient, comfortable, safest, connected Mack truck in history, and we really see this as more than a truck," said Stephen Roy, president of Mack Trucks and executive vice president of Volvo Group. "We see this as a platform with the potential to go beyond and transform your business; a competitive advantage on wheels."

That kind of confidence doesn't come cheap. Mack's parent company, Volvo Group, has invested over $2 billion into the Pioneer platform and associated upgrades to manufacturing facilities, including its flagship Lehigh Valley Operations in Pennsylvania and its new plant in Monterrey, Mexico.

Mack made it clear this launch isn't just about a new truck. It's about redefining the company's place in a fast-changing industry. "The best way to future-proof against disruption," Roy said, "is to be the disruptor."