In the vast, sparsely populated Australian outback, road trains have become an iconic feature of transportation. Powered by high-horsepower prime movers hauling multiple trailers, they race along highways like trains on asphalt, crossing deserts and coasts to serve as the lifeblood of the outback’s economic operation. Unlike rail transport, road trains require no exorbitant track construction and maintenance costs, yet they impose extremely stringent demands on towing vehicles: high horsepower is just the baseline, and ultra-high reliability and durability are the true core requirements. For decades, this market has long been dominated by European and American trucks; today, with the rapid advancement and global expansion of Chinese truck technology, domestic heavy-duty trucks are steadily making their mark in this elite segment.
On December 15, 2025, the FAW Trucks 2026 Global Partner Conference (Overseas Session), themed Intelligence Leads the Globe, Quality Wins the Future, was grandly held in Chengdu. At the event, FAW Trucks unveiled the CORTRON CH 660 6×4 tractor, exclusively engineered for Australia. Capable of towing road trains with a gross combination weight (GCW) of 120 tons, it is rigorously designed to comply with Australian ADR standards, road fuel consumption regulations and suspension laws. This model is undoubtedly Jiefang’s key to unlocking Australia’s highly demanding road train market, with remarkable technological value. Let us take an in-depth look at this flagship masterpiece.
At first glance, many may exclaim: This is just the FAW J7—why is it named CORTRON? The answer lies at the conference: FAW Trucks launched five independent yet synergistic overseas product brands: CORTRON, DORTRON, LITRON, PITRON and BOTRON, jointly forming a forward-looking global brand system for FAW TRUCKS. As a core member of this lineup, the CORTRON brand is positioned on Benchmark Quality, Technological Leadership and Industry Heritage—a positioning perfectly aligned with the formidable technical strength embodied by the CORTRON CH 660 6×4 tractor.
As a representative of China’s high-end trucks, the FAW J7 has earned universal acclaim since its launch. From the birth of the first Jiefang truck in 1956 to the release of the seventh-generation J7, Jiefang heavy-duty trucks have evolved through seven generations, consistently leading the domestic high-end heavy truck segment. Launched in 2018, the J7 remains a benchmark model even after seven years on the market.
Drawing on the J7’s design DNA, the CORTRON CH 660 6×4 tractor inherits the family design language, with tough and smooth body lines that transition seamlessly while retaining sharp edges. The multi-layer stacked front grille, paired with a broad front fascia, creates a solid and stable visual sense of security.
FAW trucks’ classic EAGLE emblem adorns the front face, symbolizing brand heritage.
The headlights adopt lens-equipped LED light sources, boasting long service life, high reliability and enhanced illumination—critical for improving driving safety at night and on sparsely populated roads. Sharp and hawk-eyed in shape, they echo the vehicle’s overall design style.
Notably, an air diversion structure is specially designed on the outer side of the headlights, guiding airflow smoothly along the vehicle’s flanks to reduce wind resistance, optimize energy consumption and minimize wind noise during travel.
A sun visor is fitted on the cab roof to block direct glare, improving the driver’s visibility in strong light. Adapted to Australia’s right-hand drive norm, the position of the front curb view mirror has been adjusted accordingly—a thoughtful localized detail.
Australia’s road trains, composed of multiple coupled trailers, place extreme demands on traction power due to their enormous weight and rolling resistance. To meet this challenge, the CORTRON CH 660 6×4 tractor is powered by the FAW AoWei CA6DX1-66E66 engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 660 hp and a peak torque of 3300 N·m—placing it among the world’s most powerful prime movers. Matched with the ZF TraXon 12TX3421TO transmission, it features outstanding transmission efficiency that fully unleashes the engine’s potential. Official data confirms a compliant GCW of 120 tons, making it a bona fide 100-ton king.
Key components of the CORTRON CH 660 6×4 have also been upgraded for the market: over 70% of critical parts are sourced from internationally renowned suppliers, and the vehicle’s B10 lifespan reaches 1.5 million kilometers. The adoption of world-class components not only meets Australia’s high quality expectations, but also provides overseas users with more convenient and comprehensive after-sales support.
The multi-trailer configuration of road trains poses a severe test for braking systems. FAW Trucks has fully upgraded the braking system of the CORTRON CH 660 6×4 and finely calibrated the multi-trailer coordinated braking strategy to ensure safe, stable and reliable braking performance. The vehicle is also equipped with electronic stability and active safety systems including ACC+AEBS, FCW, LDW, EBS+ESC, greatly reducing driving intensity and safeguarding long-distance travel.
The front axle is fitted with ConMet maintenance-free wheel ends, adopting oil-lubrication technology that eliminates the hassle of regular grease refilling, with superior lubrication and heat dissipation performance. A transparent sight glass allows drivers to check oil status without disassembly, significantly improving maintenance convenience.
The vehicle features a 6×4 drive configuration, with a Jiefang 465 stamped-welded rear axle (13-ton class) and a 3.727 gear ratio, balancing power and fuel economy.
The rear axle is equipped with air suspension and a stabilizer bar, delivering excellent vibration filtering performance that enhances ride comfort while fully complying with local Australian regulations.
The exhaust aftertreatment system and diesel tank are compactly arranged on the right side of the chassis.
On the left side, the battery box, urea tank and diesel tank are lined up in sequence. A two-step ladder with handrails is ingeniously designed on the outer side of the urea tank, finished in high-visibility yellow for both practicality and safety.
A DO NOT STEP warning is printed on the battery box to prevent damage from stepping.
Moving inside the cab, a three-step boarding ladder greets the eye—each step finished in bright yellow for clear visibility, alerting the driver and reducing the risk of slips and injuries.
In terms of cab specifications, the CORTRON CH 660 6×4 is identical to the J7, featuring a high-roof extended flat-floor design. The compact engine hump creates ample vertical interior space, allowing even tall drivers to move freely.
A wrap-around dashboard paired with a four-spoke steering wheel ensures all functions are easily accessible. The central console retains a large touch screen while integrating a host of physical buttons, enabling blind operation during travel and boosting practicality.
The instrument cluster features mechanical gauges for tachometer and speedometer on either side, with a central LCD screen displaying comprehensive vehicle data, striking a perfect balance between intuitiveness and functionality.
Thanks to the high-roof cab, three large overhead cabinets provide ample storage space for on-board items, ideal for Australia’s long-haul transportation needs.
A drawer is integrated into the dashboard for storing documents and receipts.
An on-board refrigerator is installed under the sleeper berth for beverages and food, providing sustenance during long, arduous journeys.
Chinese trucks are renowned for spacious sleeper berths, and the CORTRON CH 660 6×4 is no exception—offering a more comfortable resting space than its European counterparts.
An independent parking air conditioner is fitted on the roof, ensuring the driver enjoys cool comfort during stops in scorching summers.
Conclusion
The CORTRON CH 660 6×4 tractor is more than a tailor-made high-efficiency solution for Australia’s unique transportation environment; it is a concentrated showcase of FAW Trucks’ technical prowess. From its robust power and reliable chassis to its comprehensive safety and comfort features, it demonstrates the confidence and sincerity of Chinese heavy trucks to compete with international brands in the high-end market, solidifying its status as a new benchmark for FAW TRUCKS’ overseas business. More value-driven new models were also unveiled at the conference. Stay tuned to Truck Home Commercial Vehicle Network for further in-depth reviews—follow us to never miss an update!
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