2015 International WorkStar 7300 SFA 4x4

One of the biggest benefits of testing a vehicle at a proving ground is that it emboldens you to do things that you’d never expect to do in the real world. Case in point, I had the opportunity recently to take an International WorkStar 7300 4X4 off-roading at Navistar’s recently acquired New Carlisle, Ind., proving grounds.

This particular WorkStar 7300 was equipped with an Altec boom and the course was a muddy, hilly back road complete with tight turns and — did I mention — really steep hills.

Powered by a Cummins ISB 6.7L engine, which produces 260 hp and 660 lb.-ft. of torque, and matched to an Allison 3500 RDS, the WorkStar 7300 nimbly danced across the rough and ready course effortlessly.

The ride, aided by a 14,000-pound parabolic leave and 23,500-pound spring single vari-rate suspension, was surprisingly smooth and comfortable, helping me to concentrate on staying on the muddy road and watching out for any low-hanging branches on the rural course.

The WorkStar 7300 gripped the course nicely on the flats, but the real test came near the end of the course when I was confronted with a pretty steep downgrade, which, after duly crossing myself, I drove ahead, and found there was no need to worry. The WorkStar 7300 continued gripping the ground as it drove down what seemed to me a vertical grade (probably more like 15 to 30 degrees) to the next obstacle, a very tight turn, which I was able to navigate without resorting to a three-point turn.

The cabin of the WorkStar is practical, yet comfortable, particularly considering that the vehicle will most likely be used by most fleets for off-road and less-than-ideal operations. The instrument cluster is primarily of the analog variety, and is nicely arranged, and the dials clearly visible and easily read.

What I liked most about the driving experience with the WorkStar 7300 was that during the entire time I was driving, I didn’t even notice the truck was upfit with a boom, which allowed me to focus on the task at hand: driving.