The Freightliner Cascadia has won the Trucksales Innovation Award for 2021

In a unanimous decision from the judging panel, the Freightliner Cascadia has been awarded the Trucksales Innovations Award 2021.

“The Freightliner Cascadia is the most modern and innovative bonneted truck on the market today, and a worthy winner of the TruckSales Innovation Award for 2021,” said TruckSales editor, Geoff Middleton.

The Cascadia is the most advanced on-highway truck Freightliner has ever offered. Advanced aerodynamics help it slice through the air and boost fuel efficiency. Smart exterior design improves basic vehicle servicing, increasing uptime.

As Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific president and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, says the introduction of the Cascadia represented a new chapter for conventional trucks in Australia.

“This is quite simply the best conventional truck available in Australia and raises the bar to a new level,” Whitehead says. “Whichever way you look at it, from its remarkable fuel efficiency to its advanced safety features, connectivity and driver comfort, the Cascadia is way out in front of its ‘competitors’,” he concludes.

New safety features for Cascadia include the Sideguard Assist system that warns the driver if the truck’s turning trailer could hit objects such as power poles when turning left and also alerts the driver if they are about to merge left into an occupied lane. There is also a radar/camera system for automatic pedestrian detection. The Cascadia is available with a head-protecting airbag from launch and the cab meets ECE29 crash test standards.

The Australian Cascadia is available with two new-generation Detroit engines that exceed Euro 6 emission standards by meeting US GHG 17 standards using an enhanced SCR system and upgraded common rail injection.

Engine choices include the new 16-litre DD16 with up to 600hp (441kW) and 2,050lb/ft (2,780Nm) and the new 13-litre DD13 with up to 505hp (377kW) and 1850lb/ft (2,508Nm). Transmissions include the smart DT12 Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) and an 18-speed Eaton manual.

GPS-based and road-reading Intelligent Powertrain Management also aims to help drive down fuel use, along with Cascadia’s ultra-aerodynamic shape, its built-in air deflectors, integrated antennas and 12-inch and 20-inch cab side extenders. On-road testing in Australian conditions has found that all of these changes have delivered fuel efficiency that will make the Cascadia the smart business choice.

You can find out more about the award by visiting the Trucksales website HERE>>