@Dept:
New Cascadia Built With Room to Spare
Long-awaited Freightliner model features a
silhouette that is fuel efficient.
Freightliner has revealed its highly anticipated new model under the name Cascadia – derived from the name of the Cascade Range behind its Portland, Ore., headquarters. The new model doesn't replace anything in the Freightliner line-up for the moment. Come 2010, however, the Cascadia, with its huge grille and available 1,675-square-inch radiator, will be the truck platform for 2010 engines as the Century and Columbia – and likely the Classic XL – are phased out.
The new truck is all about efficiency, following Freightliner's advertising catchline, "Run Smart."
The aerodynamic design, fine-tuned over 2,500 hours in Freightliner's unique truck wind tunnel, offers a minimum 3 percent fuel savings over current models. Somehow it does this while providing drivers with the biggest cab in Freightliner's history. Noticeably big. Big like a mountain.
These new levels of driver comfort and convenience, truck ride, easy handling – all combined with exceptional quiet – make the driver's lot as good as it gets, says Freightliner.
The wind-tunnel influence is immediately apparent in the styling. Glass is set close to the surfaces, as in the most aerodynamic automobiles. The hood rises gently to meet a steeply sloped windshield that is well rounded to the A-pillars. The fender line has a matching gentle rise that extends way into the doors, keeping the air flow attached to the surfaces.
A minor kick-out at the B-pillar maximizes the sleeper volume, and there are short, breakaway cab extenders to ease airflow over to the trailer. These are bobbed, with flexible trailing edges so that they are as efficient as earlier designs, but less likely to be damaged in tight maneuvering. Sleeper windows are small – really little more than ventilators to minimize aerodynamic disturbance and provide additional wall real estate inside for storage.
The mirrors are also obviously wind-tunnel developed, with single door-mounted pedestals. Also available are factory hood-mounted mirrors, styled to match the door mirrors and with built in mountings in the hood.
There will be a sunvisor, but at the launch, sunvisors were notably absent, and clearance lights are flush mounted in the roof cap. No roof ventilator will be offered on the Cascadia, because drivers told Freightliner they don't use them. They're also a potential leak point and, more importantly, they offer additional rooftop turbulence.
The most obvious thing about the Cascadia is the huge chrome grille with complementary bumper cutout. This makes the truck 2010 ready, when additional cooling may be needed. The Cascadia was built to be optimized with the new 2010-ready Detroit Diesel heavy-duty engine family, the first of which will debut later this year.
The bumper is in three pieces – as is the hood – for quick and inexpensive repair. For the same reason, the huge windshield is a two-piece roped-in design, allowing for easy and inexpensive replacement.
Other quick-replace items include headlamp bulbs, the low-maintenance heating and ventilation system and easy engine access through removable panels.
The roomier cab allows for bigger seats, which are 2 inches wider, 2 inches longer in the seat and taller by the same amount. Yet even with the wide seats, there's 24 inches of walk-through to the sleeper. Cabinets abound, and they are deep to accommodate a team operation. Underbunk storage is accessible from inside or outside the truck.
A new wraparound dash, tilt and telescopic wheel, fingertip ergonomic controls, ample storage and a very thorough lighting package all add to driver ease and long-haul comfort.
To address ever-increasing idling restrictions, Freightliner has designed an available battery-powered auxiliary HVAC. The cooling system has been optimized to minimize fan and compressor on-time.
The availability of Freightliner's exclusive rack and pinion steering is also a big contributor to driving ease, with the total elimination of bump-steer and a precise canter feel, making for a more relaxed driver at the end of the day.
– Steve Sturgess
Executive Editor
Drive Test continued...
