Freightliner Trucks, looking to boost its market share in the medium-duty market to the dominating position it already enjoys in the heavy duty sector, has unveiled a new Business Class M2 106V vocational vehicle.

The new addition, announced at the Great American Trucking Show in September, comes two-and-a-half years after the launch of the M2 truck platform.

The M2 106V is designed to complement the Business Class M2 112V, which was launched in the second quarter of 2004. Both vehicles are geared towards specialized applications which require heavy duty, front-end stability and power.

The M2 V models are ideal for snow plow and crane operations, construction, agriculture, fire and emergency, refuse, utility and government services, according to Mark Lampert, senior vice president, sales and marketing.

With this addition, Lampert said Freightliner has completed its M2 medium-duty lineup and is looking to continue to press International for a bigger slice of that sector’s market pie.

“We are strong on the heavy duty truck side and we want to be likewise in the medium-duty side. Our goal is to move our market share (in the US market) to the mid 30s,” Lampert said.

The 106V incorporates the same key features of the Business Class 112V in a smaller more versatile package. Specs worth noting include a front engine power take-off provision for powering snow plows, refuse packers, cranes and utility equipment and front frame extensions offering up to 3.7 million inch-pounds of RBM to provide a solid mounting point for specialized equipment such as hydraulic pumps, winches, front stabilizers and snowplows. These integral frame extensions are offered in 6-, 12- and 24-inch increments.

Freightliner’s proprietary 6.5 liter Mercedes-Benz MBE 906 engine, which offers up to 206 hp and 520-700 pound-feet of torque, is the standard spec on the 106V. For those requiring a bit more muscle under the hood, a 7.2 liter MBE 926, with up to 330 hp and 800-1000 pound-feet of torque, is available as an option, along with Caterpillar C7 and C9 engines.

Available transmissions include the Eaton Fuller manual, Allison automatic and the Mercedes-Benz Automated Gear Shift.

The 106V is particularly suited for applications requiring increased front-end stability as it is available with front suspension ratings up to 20,000 lbs and single or dual steering gears.

The standard suspension for the cab is a leaf spring with an air-ride option.

Freightliner also used the occasion to introduce the addition of a rear bench passenger seat as a factory option for the Business Class M2 106, 106V, 112 and 112V truck models equipped with an extended cab.