The new Freightliner Cascadia was recently unveiled and, according to the company, it is the most advanced truck Freightliner has ever designed, and will further lower the real cost of ownership (RCO) for customers.
“The original Freightliner Cascadia set unprecedented standards for aerodynamic, lightweight and maintenance-reducing features,” said Richard Howard, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. “Then, the debut of the Cascadia Evolution unleashed powerful fuel-efficiency enhancements for Freightliner customers.”
Continued Howard: “With the new Cascadia, we have not just updated past successes. Every aspect of the truck has been re-imagined. We are raising fuel efficiency, connectivity, safety, quality and uptime performance to even greater levels, and also introducing a premium driver experience as a powerful customer benefit and driver retention tool. Every element of the vehicle was examined and developed with an RCO-centric approach.”
The new Cascadia is available with the integrated Detroit Powertrain, which combines the fuel-efficient downsped 400hp/1,750 ft/lbs of torque Detroit DD15 or Detroit DD13 engines with the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission, Intelligent Powertrain Management (IPM4) and corresponding Detroit steer and rear tandem axles. The new Detroit rear axles have features such as lower sump volume, gear-set coating, friction reducing gear cutting and optional Axle Lubrication Management that reduces parasitic loss and improves fuel economy.
The new DT12 has also been updated to improve fuel efficiency and reduce friction by using super-finished gears and use of low viscosity transmission oil. It also features the latest generation of intelligent powertrain management (IPM4), which uses a GPS-based system to anticipate upcoming road terrain and maximize the powertrain’s ability to utilize fuel most effectively.
“By combining advanced aerodynamics of the new Cascadia with the power of the high-performance, high-efficiency integrated Detroit Powertrain, we will help customers get the most out of every gallon,” said Howard. “We have provided an optimized, one-stop fuel efficiency solution.”
Detroit Connect Analytics
Detroit also announced the introduction of Detroit Connect Analytics, which will be available through the new connectivity platform launching with the introduction of the new Freightliner Cascadia.
Analytics, which is part of the Detroit Connect suite of connected vehicle services, provides customers with important insights about their vehicles to help them make critical business decisions. Accessible via a dedicated section of the new Detroit Connect portal, Analytics provides users with on-demand, automated fuel efficiency and safety analysis and reports featuring key insights from Detroit and Daimler Trucks North America engineers. Analytics uses that expertise to quickly identify behaviors, trends, root causes and key insights on fuel consumption and safety performance data across the fleet. The data provides easy-to-read analysis and recommendations for improving vehicle and fleet performance. Fleet managers can view the data for a single trip, single vehicle or their entire fleet over different periods of time.
Fuel efficiency performance data analyzed includes engine speed, idle time, cruise control, engine power, integrated powertrain performance and driver interaction. The safety data is collected from all available safety systems, including the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems, and includes collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, distance violations and speed violations.
“The combination of Detroit Connect Analytics and the new Cascadia enhances the truck’s performance potential by using data to deepen the connection between the fleet’s management, the driver and the vehicle,” said Matt Pfaffenbach, director, connectivity for Daimler Trucks North America. “The ability to unlock and understand what’s happening with the truck and use that knowledge to make adjustments is a significant time and performance advantage for our customers. Customers can spend less time crunching data and more time optimizing vehicle performance.”
Detroit Connect Analytics will be included within different service option packages with the new Cascadia that will deliver the fuel efficiency features only or both fuel efficiency and safety features. Detroit Connect Analytics will be available for use with the new Cascadia beginning in the first quarter of 2017. It will be available with other Freightliner and Western Star models later in 2017.
Detroit Powertrain
Every facet of the new Freightliner Cascadia has been optimized to reach higher levels of efficiency and performance. The updated, integrated Detroit Powertrain is at the core of those achievements.
“We challenged ourselves to find ways to make an immediate impact on our customers’ bottom line,” said Kary Schaefer, general manager, marketing and strategy for Daimler Trucks North America. “Instead of focusing on just individual components, we took a holistic approach and provided an integrated solution to bring additional fuel efficiency.”
The engine, transmission and axles of the integrated Detroit Powertrain are designed, engineered and manufactured to lower our customer’s real cost of ownership in the new Cascadia.
The available downsped 400hp/1,750 ft/lbs Detroit DD15 and Detroit DD13 engines are optimally matched to the updated EGR system to deliver enhanced performance. The DD15 is now lighter and can go longer between routine service appointments. The GHG17-certified DD15 also features a variable-speed water pump for lower impeller speeds, resulting in less parasitic load; an improved DDEC electronics system for better engine and after-treatment system management; and an optimized piston design for less friction and oil consumption.
The new DT12 has also been updated to improve fuel efficiency and reduce friction by using super-finished gears and use of low viscosity transmission oil. It also features the latest generation of intelligent powertrain management (IPM4), which uses a GPS-based system to anticipate upcoming road terrain and maximize the powertrain’s ability to utilize fuel most effectively.
The new Detroit rear axles have features such as lower sump volume, gear-set coating, friction reducing gear cutting and optional Axle Lubrication Management that reduces parasitic loss and improves fuel economy. New Detroit rear drive axle ratios 2.28 and 2.16 are available in the new Cascadia to further promote downspeeding and thus improved fuel economy.
“We are driven to find and develop the right solutions that maximize truck, powertrain and driver performance,” said Schaefer. “That dedication goes beyond fuel savings; it also centers on active safety systems like Detroit Assurance that protect everyone on the road.”
The latest Detroit Assurance 4.0 suite of safety systems features driver-friendly controls and an interactive dash display that deliver a high level of on-road control and safety in the new Cascadia. The system includes Active Brake Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning.
Active Brake Assist is always on and part of the radar; it can potentially mitigate collisions through partial and full braking on moving objects, as well as full braking on stationary objects in the new Cascadia.
An optional video-capture feature records safety-related events for 20-30 seconds of video before, during and after the incident. The saved recording, which is available through the Bendix SafetyDirect web portal, informs fleet managers of driver training opportunities.
Detroit Assurance is integrated with the Detroit engine, transmission, braking system and dashboard to enhance driver safety by mitigating collisions.
“There are so many challenges that drivers face on the road today, including the performance of other drivers and road conditions. We will continue to improve our safety offerings to help drivers return home accident-free,” said Schaefer.
Top U.S. fleets who have bought a new Cascadia
Werner
Schneider
Old Dominion
Swift
C R England
Prime
US Express
Crete Carriers
Knight Transport
Heartland Express
J B Hunt
Top Canadian fleets who have bought a new Cascadia
Bison Transport
