Once again New Zealand Truck & Driver has headed east to go west. Towards the East Coast to test a new Western Star that is.

This is the third time since 2018 a Big Test story has started from Napier for the test of a Western Star. But this time the product is all-new – the very first of the new generation X-Series models to go to work in New Zealand.

The 48X in Day Cab 8x4 spec belongs to Napier-based Berkett Earthmovers. It went to work a couple of weeks before Christmas, joining a small truck fleet and a CAT exclusive heavy equipment operation which is busy on civil works around Hawke’s Bay.

Owner Brendon Berkett makes it clear the company priority is earthmoving, rather than trucks.

It’s been a long time coming for Western Star, but the new generation that brings the marque into the modern world is here.

That’s not saying the older model was bad, just that the new X-Series brings it more to a level playing field with its direct competitors.

As you can see it’s a more stylish look with sleeker lines while still keeping with the rugged look a Western Star is known for. 

The truck we are testing is the 48X day cab 8x4 set up with a steel tipper body and matching 4-axle trailer. An 18-speed manual is somewhat a rarity for a test in the modern era.