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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
APRIL 2015
32
T
he new SuperTruck study provides
further evidence of Daimler Trucks’
technological leadership. In addition
to the existing series-production vehicles
the SuperTruck from Freightliner shows how
targeted measures in aerodynamics, energy
management, the use of an intelligent power-
train and other levers can further reduce fuel
consumption. For example, the SuperTruck
is equipped with the DT12 automated
transmission and predictive technology that
controls the vehicle speed using GPS and
digital 3D maps.
In test drives, the SuperTruck at a weight
of 29.5 metric tons (65,000 lbs GVWR)
consumed an average of about 19 litres of
fuel per 100 km (12.2 mpg) at a speed of
around 100 km/h (65 mph). In addition, the
SuperTruck achieved a 115 percent freight
efficiency improvement (measured in ton-
miles per gallon) over a 2009 baseline truck.
DTNA initiated the SuperTruck research
and development project in 2010. The U.S.
Department of Energy supported the proj-
ect with a $40 million grant. Daimler’s Su-
perTruck greatly surpassed the Department
of Energy’s aim to increase the freight effi-
ciency of US Class 8 trucks by 50 percent.
The project’s improvements to aerodynam-
ics and the powertrain have already been
incorporated into the Freightliner Cascadia
Evolution and Western Star 5700 XE se-
ries-production vehicles. For example, about
every fourth Freightliner Cascadia Evolution
is equipped with the automated DT12 trans-
mission. Increasing numbers of customers
appreciate the benefit of a fully integrated
Detroit powertrain from a single source, in
which the engine, the axles and the trans-
mission come from Daimler Trucks and are
thus perfectly synchronised.
While these optimisations are feasible for
customer use, the SuperTruck study also
shows that for example ultralight materials
are not economically viable at this time.
“The SuperTruck engagement is another
component of our strategy to make future
road transportation as environmentally
friendly and fuel efficient as possible,” said
Martin Daum, President & CEO of Daimler
Trucks North America.
About Daimler Trucks North America
Daimler Trucks North America LLC, with
headquarters in Portland, Oregon, is the
leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer
in North America. DTNA produces and
markets vehicles of the Freightliner,
Western Star, and Thomas Built Buses
brands. The DTNA production network
encompasses nine locations. In addition
to the headquarters and manufacturing
plant in Portland (Oregon), DTNA has four
manufacturing plants in North Carolina
(Cleveland, Gastonia, High Point, and
Mount Holly) and one manufacturing plant
each in Redford (Michigan) and Gaffney
(South Carolina). DTNA has two additional
manufacturing facilities in Mexico (Saltillo
and Santiago Tianguistenco).
b
DAIMLER TRUCKS
SHOWS ADVANCED TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP
with new SuperTruck study
TRANSPORT