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Mack’s new Keystone vocational truck makes its world debut

Mack Trucks’ new Keystone combines terrain versatility with the latest advancements in driver comfort, safety and technology.

The Mack Keystone is a purpose-built Class 8 vocational tractor designed to thrive in demanding on- and off-road environments.  

The new truck from Mack made its debut at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on the eve of ConExpo. 

“The Mack Keystone represents our commitment to providing customers in agriculture, construction and vocational markets with a truck that’s as capable on rough terrain as it is on the highway,” said Stephen Roy, President of Mack Trucks. 

“Named after the Keystone State of Pennsylvania, where all Mack Class 8 models for North America and export are assembled at Lehigh Valley Operations in Macungie, the Keystone continues Mack’s tradition of building rugged, reliable trucks that work as hard as the people who drive them.”

The Keystone builds on the legacy of the Mack Pinnacle. The truck delivers the same advanced technology and safety as the Pioneer, Anthem and new Mack Granite, also unveiled at ConExpo 2026. 

The unified platform enables the Keystone to offer the same comfort features, safety systems and performance technologies while maintaining the heavy-duty characteristics essential for vocational tractor applications.

“Our customers told us they wanted a truck that could handle the toughest jobs and job sites without compromising driver comfort or modern technology,” said Jonathan Randall, President of Mack Trucks North America. “The Keystone delivers exactly that: terrain versatility to navigate challenging road conditions, combined with the best ride quality in the business.”

Terrain versatility  

The Keystone is engineered for operation in applications that require a truck capable of performing on highways and challenging off-road terrain. Key to this capability is the Keystone’s higher ground clearance, approach angle and robust suspension system.

The available Mack Maxride suspension is engineered to perform in demanding road conditions.

“The Keystone is designed for terrain versatility; it thrives where the roads are unpaved, uneven or even nonexistent, then transitions seamlessly to highway driving,” said Fernando Couceiro, Mack Trucks Vice President of Highway Trucks. “Whether you’re hauling logs out of a forest, delivering heavy equipment to a construction site or transporting agricultural goods across rural roads, the Keystone is built to handle it all.”

For the first time, Mack is offering this class of vocational tractor in both axle-forward and axle-back configurations, providing customers with flexibility to match their specific needs. 

Cab design

The Keystone is available in three cab configurations: day cab, 1.1-metre sleeper and 1.6-metre sleeper, each offered in both axle positions. Rear axle configurations include 6×4, 8×4 and 8×6.

The Keystone shares its interior with the Mack Pioneer, bringing the same level of driver comfort and ergonomics to vocational applications. The cab features wrap-around controls and high visibility.

“We designed every element of the Keystone interior with the driver in mind, from the wrap-around controls that keep everything within easy reach, to the ergonomic grab bars that make entering and exiting the cab safer and easier,” said Vince Lokers, Specialist Chief Designer for Mack Trucks. 

The interior features Mack’s acclaimed seating with industry-leading comfort and support, electronic braking system for easier operation, an available digital mirror system and a flat-bottom steering wheel designed for improved belly room — a driver-requested feature that provides additional clearance. An integrated ELD plate accommodates electronic logging devices, while device holders and cord management systems keep the workspace organized.

Heritage inspired

The Keystone features a distinctive exterior design that balances modern aesthetics with the rugged characteristics expected of a vocational tractor. The design team drew inspiration from Mack’s heritage, including design elements reminiscent of the iconic Mack R Model, while incorporating contemporary styling that aligns with Mack’s current lineup.

“We designed the Keystone to look like it can handle anything because it can,” said Lukas Yates, Expert Chief Designer at Mack Trucks. “The gloss black grille bar, polished aluminum-clad bumper centre and refined fender profile give the Keystone a distinctive presence that’s unmistakably Mack, while maintaining a cohesive family appearance with our Pioneer, Anthem and Granite models.”

The Keystone introduces a new modular bumper system designed to accommodate various tow configurations while maintaining a clean, functional appearance. A new bullet lamp on the cab roof provides improved visibility and compliance contributing to the truck’s distinctive character.

Performance

The Keystone is powered by the Mack MP13 engine, delivering up to 540 hp and 1,950 foot-pounds of torque to tackle the most demanding heavy-haul applications. Paired with the proven mDRIVE HD automated manual transmission, the Keystone delivers smooth, efficient power transfer in any terrain. The advanced powertrain delivers up to 6 per cent improved fuel efficiency compared to the Pinnacle, helping customers reduce operating costs without sacrificing performance. 

The Keystone also offers the Mack Protect safety suite available on the Pioneer and Anthem.

To maximize uptime, the Keystone comes standard with Mack’s integrated uptime solutions, including a five-year subscription to Mack Connect, Mack’s telematics platform that provides real-time vehicle monitoring, remote diagnostics and proactive service scheduling to keep trucks on the road and productive.

“When you’re operating on challenging roads, ride quality becomes even more important,” Couceiro said. “The Keystone’s suspension and cab engineering deliver an unmatched smooth, comfortable ride that reduces driver fatigue, even in the most demanding conditions.”

The all-new Mack Keystone will be available for order in the third quarter of 2026.