Freightliner » Cascadia '2017

Daimler Trucks, the German corporation’s division dedicated to heavyweight haulage, has revealed its most advanced product, the Freightliner Cascadia. Daimler explains that this model was created after a $300 million investment, and that it took five years of research and development for the team of 800 engineers to develop the product. They call it the Cascadia, and it will be available at Freightliner dealers starting January 2017.

Compared to the 2016 Cascadia, the new Class 6-8 truck brings an eight percent increase in fuel efficiency. Daimler underlines the fact that all of its drive train components were developed in-house, which should bring a higher level of harmony and reliability in operation.

Connectivity is a praised feature of the new truck, which will have remote diagnostics. Thanks to the Virtual Technician system, the vehicle will send periodic snapshots of the engine’s status to the Customer Service Center.

Each warning sign will be monitored through the Detroit Connect Analytics service. According to Daimler, that this solution delivers higher reliability than conventional setups, and that it also diminishes fleet repair costs.

The implant of technology has also targeted day-to-day use, because Daimler included a full LED lighting setup, as well as multiple driver aids. With the optional Detroit Assurance 4.0 suite, drivers will enjoy Active Brake Assists, Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

These features already exist in modern cars, but they are not that common in trucks. Evidently, the life of truckers that drive vehicles with these gadgets will improve, as routes become easier and safer to accomplish.