CCJ

February 2017

Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal

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28 commercial carrier journal | february 2017 Dropping pistons, saving dough Detroit's DD5 makes a strong case for four-cylinder power BY JASON CANNON D riving through California wine country late last year, you'd have seen a melting pot of automotive ingenuity: Teslas sharing the road with six-figure Porsches and Bugatti super cars – and yours truly motoring alongside in a Freightliner M2 106. Daimler Trucks North America recently announced plans to make its new 5.1-liter Detroit DD5 available as an option for pickup-and-delivery customers ordering the M2 106. A full rollout for the engine is set for 2018. While the M2 106 and its 20-foot box didn't stack up in all areas to the Teslas and Maseratis that whizzed past me, those cars weren't loaded to a 24,000-pound GVW. As the drive kicked off from the staging area and we head- ed into the heart of Napa, I took quick notice of the truck's amazing 50-plus-degree turning radius. at's a large truck to sport that kind of maneuverability. Our first challenge came early: Merging a four-cylinder Class 6 truck loaded to near capacity uphill onto a highway. With the gas pedal pinned firmly to the floor, the climb up the ramp was fluid and uneventful, as was the merge. ere was a lot more power available on demand going through the Allison 6-speed transmission than I expected. A dash-mounted two-stage engine-brake toggle switch – high and low setting – provided impressive support to the service brakes when needed. On the high setting, it provided ample power at highway speeds. Cabin noise was minimal. You might expect such from a four-cylinder, but attributing the quietness only to the size of displacement would dismiss all of the Detroit ingenuity that went into ensuring a low-vol- ume ride. ere is a slight up- tick while idling at stoplights, but that is expected. However, you still easily could have a con- versation in a normal voice. On the crowded roads and highway, I felt the DD5 power- train provided me with everything needed for a stop-and-go job such as pickup and delivery – ample and nimble power for passing, sufficient braking and great urban maneuver- ability for a large truck. Kary Schaefer, DTNA's general manager of marketing and strategy, is confident that once the four-cylinder engine hits the highway, customers will be won over by its fuel econo- my, coupled with the availability of 230 horsepower and 660 pound-feet of torque. e DD5 makes a strong case for dropping a couple of pistons under the hood and saving a couple of bucks at the pump. Customers initially put off at the prospect of driving a "four-banger" likely will be won over following a test drive – even if it's not through 45,000 acres of Napa grapes. T E S T D R I V E : D E T R O I T D D 5 E N G I N E A full rollout for the 5.1-liter Detroit DD5 four-cylinder engine is set for 2018. The DD5 initially will be an available option for P&D customers ordering Freightliner's M2 106.

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