Freightliner tends to its ever-increasing medium duties
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Freightliner has unveiled its ticket to keeping fleets flying in true business class style without paying outrageous fares for customized specs and service.
The Portland, Ore.-based manufacturer is banking on the Business Class M2 line-up to not only keep existing customers happy, but to power a serious run at league-leading International for top-spot in medium-duty market share.
The line includes a full slate of Class 5-8 trucks, the first of which to grace the industry will be the 106-inch BBC configuration. Hitting dealerships in about June, cornerstone of the unit’s bolstered safety is its 2,500-sq.-in. windshield. Coupled with a low-profile dash design, the while sitting in the cab of this conventional you can almost see the front three-piece bumper thanks to a 28 per cent larger unobstructed view.
“To operate as safely as possible, excellent visibility from the cab is crucial,” says Michael von Mayenburg, Freightliner LLC senior vice-president of engineering and technology. “There also will be less need for backing up, (which is) when problems tend to occur.”
Capable of tight U-turns depending on the specified wheelbase, the M2 combines wider king pins, altered front axle positions and a unique hood design. The result, as von Mayenburg indicates, is a maximum of a 55-degree wheel cut powering the M2 through cramped areas more safely and effectively than not only its predecessor but also the majority of its competitor, too.
The initial design is available with two primary choices for power: either an MBE900 (offering 170-280 hp) or a Cat 3126 (offering 175-300 hp).
“With its durability and drivability, the Mercedes-Benz MBE900 delivers outstanding performance and low cost of operation,” says Mark Lampert, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for Freightliner trucks. “We’ve specified the MBE900 as standard equipment in the new Business Class M2 because this engine delivers the power, fuel economy and day-to-day performance that our customers expect.”
For a full review of the M2 and its launch in Phoenix, make sure to check out the April issue of Truck News.
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