Design for the new century

Freightliner Trucks will give its Century Class S/T tractor its first major facelift–an exterior redesign the company sees as bolder and in keeping with the style of newer stablemates like the Columbia and Business Class M2.

The most noticeable changes are up front: the Century Class, introduced as Freightliner’s premium highway tractor in 1995 and updated in 1999 with various safety-related features, gets a new hood and grille. It’s not just for looks: the grille and lower panel increase the frontal opening to 55 per cent of the total surface area in order to ensure that higher-horsepower, hotter-running engines have ample air flow and cooling capacity.

The Century S/T’s three-piece bumper was redesigned as well. The outside pieces are still plastic, but the centre section is available in chrome. Optional inset road lamps and amber accent lights on the bumper are also available.

Freightliner has replaced the seven-inch round, sealed beams with a new composite headlamp that’s supposed to distribute light on the road better, especially at night. The bulbs are protected by a strong, poly-carbonate lens and replacements are readily available.
The Century Class S/T is available with a choice of engines from Mercedes-Benz, Detroit Diesel, and Caterpillar and in seven sleeper configurations. Its warranty runs three years or
350,000 miles.