LAS VEGAS — Everybody in the Freightliner clan remembers that day back in 2008 when parent company Daimler announced that they were discontinuing the Sterling truck brand.

Sterling was a popular vocational truck, seen in many government and construction fleets.

Now, the same Freightliner folks should remember March 2011. That’s when Freightliner launched a severe-service line of trucks to pick up where Sterling left off.

The company chose this past weekend before the huge Conexpo Construction equipment conference to introduce the two new models, carrying the SD (severe duty) badge.

And you’ll be hearing a lot about the new line of trucks. The company has opted for a new “work smart” theme to market the vehicles.  

The Freightliner 108SD, (108-in BBC ) and the 114SDD (d114-in.BBC) are designed to serve class 7 and 8 vocational markets with set-back axles.

The 108SD features axle ratings ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 lbs for front axles and single and tandem rear-axle options from 21,000 to 46,000 lbs. It is offered with the Cummins ISB and ISC engine, providing a power range of 200 to 350 hp and 520 to 1,000 lb/of torque.

The 114SD also features a set-forward axle configuration with a standard 31-in. front axle position and optional 29.5-in. bridge formula configuration and a set-back axle configuration with a standard 48-in. SBA setting.

All 114SD models are powered by the Detroit Diesel DD13 with a power range of 350-to 450 hp and torque ratings from 1,250 to 1,650 lb ft.

The optional lighter Cummins ISC and ISL engines will also be available.

At the Vegas launch, Freightliner also touted a compressed natural gas version of the 114SD, powered by the Cummins ISLJ natural gas power plant. The option will be available by the end of this year.

A full range of Eaton manual and automated transmissions along with Allison automated transmissions are also offered.

Freightliner says the 108SD is ideal for applications such as refuse, construction, utility and governmental work.

The 114SD is ideal for applications that require power ratings up to 450 hp at 1,650 lb/ft of torque and axle ratings that include front axles up to 23,000 lbs, single axles up to 38,000 lbs, tandems up to 58,000 lbs and tridems up to 69,000.

This week has seen a spate of new truck announcements, including the notable new Western Star 4700, which is a product of the same parent company.

Freightliner says the “key differentiator for the Freightliner new severe duty product line and the 4700 is and always will be customer preference.”