The trucking industry has been deeply influenced by the rising fuel prices as never before, Freightliner has developed a new truck from the ground up that offers significant fuel savings as well as a new level of driver comfort and styling. The Freightliner Cascadia was launched in May 2007 and it won’t be wrong to say that the Freightliner has a winner in its line-up.

The new Freightliner Cascadia offers a 3% improvement in fuel economy which will have a positive impact on today’s trucking industry with significant savings for both large and small fleets. More than a million hours went into the design and production of the Cascadia with 2500 hours in Freightliners full scale wind tunnel facility, which is the only one in the world built specifically for Class 8 vehicles. Other fuel saving innovations include battery powered, fully integrated auxiliary HVAC system along with an engine cooling system that reduces compressor on-time for both the engine fan and air conditioner.

The Cascadia wasn’t designed for just the trucking company accountants who write the fuel checks. Today’s drivers want not only fuel efficiency but comfort, reliability and style. The new Freightliner offers all that and more. Driver feedback played a large part in the design features incorporated in the Cascadia from a wider cab, better ergonomics for the controls, extensive lighting and more storage to make life on the road a little easier. Road noise and vibration have been reduced through improved cab and engine mounts, more insulation and an improved hydraulic clutch.

The Cascadia also has larger door openings and seats for easy entry and egress, more room between the driver and steering wheel, greater headroom and easier to use switches and climate controls. Driver visibility has been increased in this truck with redesigned mirrors mounted on both the fenders and doors and a larger windshield.