Freightliner Introduces Gr.Breaking New On Highway Truck
Freightliner Trucks launched the Cascadia, a revolutionary new Class 8 truck for on highway applications. Built from an entirely new platform, the Cascadia delivers significant fuel savings and is designed based on the Run Smart philosophy to be the most productive, efficient, and drivable truck on the market. Plus, with its new styling, a quieter and more comfortable cab, ergonomic controls, and exceptional handling, the Cascadia was specifically constructed with driver comfort and improved operating ratios in mind.
Member of the DaimlerChrysler Board of Management responsible for the Truck Group, said at the official presentation of the new truck in Charlotte, North Carolina With there five truck brands Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Mercedes Benz and Mitsubishi Fuso ensuring our world wide presence, they are able to leverage the global resources and expertise of the Truck Group for the benefit of each brand. The Cascadia profits in many ways from there global experience, It is the first truck that will be equipped with there new global Heavy Duty Engine Platform as well as the new common Electric/ Electronic architecture. Freightliner’s new flagship truck will be manufactured using there high level DaimlerChrysler production system.
The Cascadia was designed to easily accept EPA emission engines. Its expandable electronic platform can easily accommodate the technology. Plus, the Cascadia was built to be paired with the all new global Heavy Duty Engine Platform, the first of which will debut later this year under the Detroit Diesel engine brand.
The Cascadia offers a 3 percent improvement in fuel economy over previous models. To achieve this, more than one million engineering hours, including 2,500 hours in Freightliner’s state of the art full scale wind tunnel, went into its development. It is the first truck built and engineered using Freightliner LLC’s wind tunnel, the only testing facility in the world built specifically for Class 8 vehicles.
There customers are faced with the consequences of ever tightening emissions standards, higher fuel prices, rapidly escalating wages and benefits, and a dire shortage of maintenance technicians, said president and CEO of Freightliner LLC. Freightliner was built on solving there customers most pressing concerns, and only Freightliner has the resources and the know how to bring a completely new model to market at difficult time for the trucking and truck building industries.
Freightliner initiated an extensive study of its key customers needs and issues to evaluate product improvements that could alleviate these stresses. Numerous fleet owners and owner operators provided detailed feedback about everything from cost saving features to comfort options and aesthetic attributes.
Thus the truck also was designed to maximize payload. The aluminum cab boasts a significant weight savings over steel, and the hood, bumper and quarter fenders are lighter than comparable models. All of these improvements enable operators to haul more freight.
Features such as improved diagnostics, an HVAC system designed to reduce repair frequency, and breakaway side extenders ensure that the Cascadia stays on the road and out of the shop. Other maintenance upgrades include an easy to replace roped in windshield, extended life headlamp bulbs, and easy access to the engine and accessory components mounted to it.
When developing the Cascadia, Freightliner engineers studied the needs of drivers and how they operate their vehicles. This feedback was the basis for design features like a wider cab with automotive styling, ergonomic controls, and extensive lighting and storage space to make the cab more comfortable and livable. With all these features, the Cascadia will also boast a high resale value.
