Daimler unveils SuperTruck

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) recently unveiled its super-efficient 'SuperTruck' at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Kentucky, and claims the futuristic prototype offers huge efficiency gains over existing production trucks.

The US Department of Energy began its SuperTruck program in 2010, asking manufacturers to come up with innovative prototypes capable of improving efficiency by 50 per cent compared to a 2009 baseline vehicle. DTNA was one of four major manufacturers invited to take part, with the companies matching the DOE's multi-million-dollar grants dollar for dollar.

Participants were asked to develop a heavy-duty (Class 8) truck that delivered a 50 per cent improvement in freight efficiency, a 50 per cent improvement in brake thermal efficiency, and reduced fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Now DTNA says its own SuperTruck has smashed those objectives out of the ball park, with a vehicle that it says has delivered an efficiency gain of 115 per cent, verified through testing.

Bearing Freightliner badging, the sleekly styled vehicle recently underwent on-highway testing in both Oregon and Texas, also completing a city run in the Oregon capital of Portland and anti-idle testing in both a hot chamber and a cold chamber.

Testing at a DTNA Detroit engineering facility revealed a 50.2 per cent gain in engine brake thermal efficiency, while a 500km run at a weight of just under 30 tonnes delivered an astonishing fuel economy figure of 12.2mpg (5.2km/lt).

Derek Rotz, principal investigator for SuperTruck, DTNA, said the prototype signalled good news for trucking's future.

"We are thrilled with the positive results, and are honoured to have been part of the program," he said in a media statement.

"It is our expectation that we will continue to review and refine what we've learned and achieved over the course of the SuperTruck initiative, and use that knowledge to bolster our leadership in fuel efficiency."

Without revealing specifics, DTNA says the 6x2 vehicle utilises a range of technologies and shares many of the aerodynamic components found on Freightliner's Cascadia Evolution, along with the latter's integrated Detroit Powertrain.

A coasting feature minimises fuel usage on descents while topographic mapping affords intelligent gear shifting with cruise control. An aerodynamically integrated trailer also delivers major gains, as does the use of energy-efficient, low-rolling-resistance tyres.

"By incorporating a mix of available technologies with future innovations, we were able to use the SuperTruck program to take the first steps in seeing what may be technically possible and commercially viable," said Rotz.

"We still have a long road ahead to determine ultimately what will be successful and what will achieve the greatest efficiencies."

Click here for more information on Freightliner's SuperTruck program.