The 800hp Shacman X6000 800 becomes the world’s most powerful production truck

Chinese truck maker Shacman has launched the world’s most powerful tractor unit, a title previously held by the 770hp rated Scania V8.

The X6000 800 is powered by a Weichai 16.6-litre Euro-6 engine, which is matched to a Fast Speed 16-speed fully automated transmission. In addition to offering 30hp more than Scania’s top power trucks, at 3,750Nm, it has 50Nm additional torque too.

As you can see from the 6x4 example photographed, the Shacman X6000 800’s exterior bares a striking resemblance to the latest Mercedes-Benz Actros. It’s a similar story inside the flat-floored cab too, which features a pair of large colour screens, and an uncluttered dashboard. Safety features include adaptive cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring system and lane departure warning.

Shacman is part of the Shaanxi Automobile Holding Group Co, and according to its website, has a presence in 100 overseas countries and regions. These include Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia, Central and South America and parts of Eastern Europe. The Shacman X6000 800 has already been introduced in the Chinese and Russian markets, and is also expected to be produced in Argentina, for Latin America.

Scania held the top horsepower title for a little over two years, having taken the top spot from Volvo’s FH16 750 in September 2020, which in turn had held the title for almost a decade. There are rumours that Volvo has an 810hp version of its FH16 waiting in the wings, but these were dismissed by Volvo Truck UK and Ireland MD Christian Coolsaet, who in 2021 told Commercial Motor that it was out of the running.

“If it doesn’t have any functionality other than being the biggest, then we will not do that anymore,” he said. “We would sooner be first in alternative drivelines, gas engines, fuel cell engines, and battery electric. Those were the good old days, and we enjoyed them as well, but I think they have come to an end.”