Freightliner

      Business Class M2 and M2V (vocational) models continue in 106- and 112-inch BBC versions for Class 6, 7 and 8. They use Mercedes-Benz 926 or Cummins ISB and ISC diesels with ratings from 190 to 350 horsepower. Cat's C7 is being dropped. Starting in January, M-B 926s will be assembled at Detroit Diesel's plant in Michigan. The Cargo low-cab-forward model is being dropped, to be replaced with dual- and right-hand-drive versions of the M2-106. Cooling systems will be about 20 percent larger for EPA '07 diesels. Radiators will be atop the frame on M2-106s and between splayed rails on M2-112s; on M-B 926s, radiators will be mounted to the engine rather than on frames. Four exhaust systems have been designed for midrange trucks and five for heavies.

General Motors

      Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick C6500 and C7500 trucks can be ordered with the 295-horsepower Vortec 8100 gasoline V-8, the Isuzu 6H (formerly Duramax 7800) diesel with 215 to 300 horsepower (and a new 260-horsepower/835-pounds-feet rating), and Cat's C7. Backlog of current-spec diesels will run through February, with EPA '07 diesels scheduled for March 1 truck production. New diesels will be standard with 6-speed Allison automatics. Two-door Regular and four-door Crew Cabs are offered. Heaviest steer axle on the C7500 is a 14,600-pounder. Chevy T and GMC W6500 and 7500 tiltcabs get only 6H diesel power. The diesels' large exhaust systems can't be fitted to the C-series' 128–inch wheelbase chassis, so it's being dropped; remaining short-wheelbase chassis will probably need vertical stacks. Cat C7's exhaust is especially large, and will come only as a vertical stack up the left corner of the cab.

Truck Model Roundup continued...