Freightliner Trucks today announced that in August 2013, it will begin full production on its Freightliner Cascadia® 113-inch BBC day cab with natural gas technology. Equipped with the new Cummins Westport ISX12 G heavy-duty natural gas engine as a factory-installed option, the Cascadia 113 natural gas day cab is ideal for regional haul, vocational and refuse applications. The Cascadia 113 ISX12 G will be on display at the Freightliner Trucks booth (#619) at ACT Expo.
The 12-liter ISX12 G natural gas engine is based on the Cummins ISX12 diesel heavy-duty engine platform. The engine operates exclusively on either compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) and features ratings of up to 400hp and 1,450 lb-ft torque and an optional engine brake. For increased vehicle range, several CNG and LNG fuel tank options are available for the Cascadia 113.
Freightliner Trucks began limited production on its Cascadia 113 natural gas-powered day cab in April 2013 with a 350 hp and 1450 lb-ft ISX12 G engine and Allison 4000 HS automatic transmission. An Eaton manual transmission will be available on trucks built beginning September 2013.
“With the option of natural gas power, we’ve taken one of our most versatile tractors and further extended its efficiency and productivity,” said Mary Aufdemberg, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks. “Our customers will benefit from the increased range and power found through the pairing of the Cascadia 113 with the ISX12 G heavy-duty engine.”
Parent company Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) leads the medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle market in the production of natural gas-powered conventional vehicles. Since 2008, Freightliner Trucks has sold more than 2,500 natural gas-powered trucks and tractors.
