Truck Spotlight

Fine-tuned

Driver satisfaction is key as Freightliner uses customers’ experience to improve the 2010 version of its aero leader.

Aerodynamics and driver comfort have been at the forefront of the Cascadia’s evolution since its 2007 launch. With customer feedback, these features have been enhanced even more with the 2010 model, says Ben Smith, Freightliner Trucks’ product strategy manager of on-highway heavy-duty vehicles.

“The Cascadia really shines in driver satisfaction and cost of operations,” Smith says, noting that drivers “want uptime and, second, they want the best fuel economy.”

To get better mileage, engineers lowered the optimum power range where the torque and horsepower intersect to between 1325 and 1375 rpm. “We’re at a lower rpm for the best sweet spot,” Smith says. That range has been easier to achieve with an improved rear-axle ratio and the truck maker’s choice of powertrain, the Detroit Diesel DD15 and its BlueTec selective catalytic reduction technology, he notes.

More than 2,500 hours of wind-tunnel tests resulted in further aerodynamic improvements, Smith says. New anti-drag features include: a windshield with a 28-degree slant; mirrors that can be folded flat during parking; and an improvement in the tractor’s overall shape. “On the whole cab, bumper and grille, the airflow is managed to get it out and away from the front of the trailer and pushed to the outside,” he says.

Since 2007, roof deflectors to guide air up and over the top of the trailer, side skirts that are extensions to the fuel tank and a bumper block have been added to improve aerodynamics.