Advances in aerodynamics and powertrain components have contributed to increased fuel efficiency of up to 8%.
The new Cascadia is designed to be even more aerodynamic than previous generation trucks. Engineers used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and Daimler Trucks North America’s wind tunnel to test, modify and optimise the new Cascadia’s aerodynamics. The new Cascadia comes standard with an aerodynamic bumper with an integrated air deflector, a new, more sloped hood, an aerodynamic four-bar grille, new aerodynamic mirrors, 12” side extenders and a third door seal that keeps air from flowing through the door jamb. The Aero package adds to the base model truck the full back-of-cab chassis fairings, flexible chassis skirts, 20” side extenders and push-button removable wheel covers.
The new trucks use DD13® and DD15® engines that are able to produce greater horsepower and torque at lower RPMs, helping to keep the truck in top gear more often and cruising at a more efficient engine speed. The new Detroit™ DT12™ automated manual transmission features the latest generation of Intelligent Powertrain Management (IPM4), a feature that uses terrain maps to know the route ahead and improves transmission adjustments and engine functions so the truck’s kinetic energy works with its surroundings, not against it. The Detroit™ tandem-rear axles feature an optional Axle Lubrication Management (ALM) system that actively regulates the oil level at the ring gear and friction-loss optimized pinion bearings to reduce friction and parasitic loss, extending gear life and improving fuel efficiency.
On the new Cascadia, Detroit™ Connect services are delivered via a newly designed connectivity platform. The new technology featured with the new platform enables over-the-air parameter updates and the integration of third-party applications. Detroit Connect Virtual Technician is the remote diagnostic system for Freightliner trucks equipped with Detroit™ engines. Fleets and owner-operators are notified within minutes when their vehicles experience fault events, the severity of the fault and when, where and how to best fix the issue causing the fault so that they can make informed service decisions. Critical fault codes are further analysed by Detroit™ Customer Support Center experts. Complete fault event details can also be viewed via the Detroit Connect portal. Detroit Connect Remote Updates give fleets the ability to make over-the-air engine parameter updates and to receive Detroit-initiated engine and other powertrain electronic controller updates. Remote Updates improves customers’ uptime by reducing the need to stop and physically connect the vehicle at a service centre in order to make engine performance-enhancing parameter updates. Detroit Connect Analysis gives automated fuel efficiency and safety analysis and reports. Analytics uses this to identify behaviours, trends, root causes and key insights on fuel consumption and safety performance data across the fleet. The Cascadia comes standard with a five-year Detroit Connect service subscription, which includes Virtual Technician, Remote Updates and access to the Detroit
Active brake assist (ABA) uses an always-on, bumper-mounted radar to automatically track the distance from the front of the truck to other vehicles on the road. When the truck gets too close to another vehicle, the driver will receive a visual alert in the instrument cluster, the radio will mute and an audible alert will sound. If the driver doesn’t respond, ABA will slow the vehicle using the transmission, engine brake and service brake. In the new Cascadia, the system can now recognize and mitigate collision with stationary objects in the truck’s path with full braking. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) uses a bumper-mounted radar to maintain a safe following distance. ACC adjusts the cruise control speed to keep the truck at a safe distance from other vehicles in its path, allowing the truck to remain in cruise control longer. The adjustable following distance between the truck and other vehicles is displayed on the instrument cluster. Optional lane departure warning (LDW) warns the driver if the truck leaves its lane of traffic without engaging a turn signal. A windshield-mounted camera aimed at the road detects lane markers and sounds an audible alert when the vehicle crosses the lane. The LDW camera continuously records video to capture any severe collision mitigation events and provide driver performance data. It is transmitted to the SafetyDirect web portal for fleet operators and safety personnel to download and analyse. Source: https://freightliner.com/trucks/new-cascadia/