NATIONAL HARBOR, MD – Freightliner Trucks introduced the 2014 Cascadia Evolution Class 8 truck model. Powered by Detroit and featuring aerodynamic enhancements, the Cascadia Evolution delivers up to an additional 7 percent improvement in fuel economy over an EPA 2010-compliant Cascadia equipped with a first generation aerodynamic package and up to a 5 percent improvement compared to a current model year 2013 Cascadia equipped with the latest aerodynamic upgrades, according to the company.

The optimized aerodynamic features on the new Cascadia Evolution were developed using Daimler Trucks North America's proprietary, state-of-the-art wind tunnel. In addition, the truck was extensively tested on highways throughout the United States, and underwent almost three million miles in combined reliability and fuel economy testing.

With new, standard features that seamlessly combine the Cascadia's already sleek profile with enhanced aerodynamics, the Cascadia Evolution incorporates several frontal area updates designed to improve airflow and aerodynamics including a new air dam, bumper closure, and a hood-to-bumper fill.

The Cascadia Evolution also includes an improved windshield seal, elliptical-shaped aerodynamic mirrors and an integrated antenna. New wheel covers on the rear tandem axles, chassis side fairings and 20-inch side extenders further contribute to the truck's efficiency, according to the company.

Cooling enhancements include a 1,400 square-inch radiator, which features a revised baffling system and new radiator mounting design that contribute to improved cooling capacity and is designed to increase durability.
Also standard with the Cascadia Evolution is Freightliner's proprietary Run Smart Predictive Cruise system. This technology evaluates the road profile more than one mile in advance, determines the most efficient vehicle speed, and then adjusts the actual speed of the truck for maximum fuel efficiency.

Available only in the Cascadia Evolution, the newly designed DD15 engine features a proprietary asymmetric turbocharger with a next-generation amplified common rail system (ACRS). The asymmetric turbocharger is less complex than variable geometry turbos and, because it is proprietary, is optimally matched to the DD15's EGR system for best real-world fuel consumption. The next-generation ACRS also delivers higher injection pressure for better combustion control and a simplified design for optimal regenerations.

The enhanced DD15 is more than 100 lbs. lighter than its predecessor and includes an improved fuel filter module with two filters that deliver lower maintenance costs with an industry-leading 100,000 mile filter change interval. The engine also features a variable speed water pump that allows for lower impeller speeds, resulting in less parasitic load, improved DDEC electronics for better engine and after-treatment system management and an optimized piston design for less friction and oil consumption.

Further adding to the overall performance of the Cascadia Evolution, the DD15's BlueTec emissions technology 1-Box package has been optimized to decrease size, weight and complexity.

The Detroit Virtual Technician system – standard on the Cascadia Evolution – helps reduce downtime and decrease maintenance costs by providing real-time engine diagnostics, enabling drivers and fleet managers to quickly and accurately evaluate events, and in many cases allowing them to remain driving when others would have to stop to evaluate the event. It also minimizes time in the shop by almost eliminating the diagnostic time since it is completed when the truck arrives by the Detroit customer support center.