Freightliner takes Century Class in two directions

DALLAS, Tex. (Sept. 13, 1999) — Freightliner Trucks has split its Century Class platform into two separate model streams, one aimed at style-conscious owners and another that integrates technologies designed to enhance safety and productivity.

The Columbia, Freightliner’s fourth new truck in as many years, consolidates many of the key technological achievements of the Freightliner Century Class, the venerable FLD, and Classic with a larger, more aerodynamic cab accented with a distinctive new grille treatment.

The 120-inch BBC, set-back-axle, class-8 tractor comes in seven sleeper configurations up to the 70-inch raised roof sleeper. It is intended to match the rest of the industry’s premium trucks, said Freightliner Corp. CEO and president Jim Hebe. He described the Columbia as a “no-frills, bulletproof concept.”

True to its Century Class heritage, the Columbia has an aluminum cab; a range of innovative safety features, including an optional driver’s side airbag; improved visibility from the cab; an integrated electronics package that manages vehicle operation and links to Freightliner’s off-board ServiceLink software; and new materials designed to save fuel, simplify service and prolong life expectancy.

The new chrome grille has an optimized opening to accommodate engines up to 600 horsepower. Framing this are distinctive tear-drop headlights from the Mercedes Benz M-Class automobile.

“The time has come to set the Century Class free and move ahead with technology as fast as the market demands, and as fast as new technology becomes available,” said Hebe, “and yet, at the same time, not to impose cost and customization compromises on traditional customers and tradition segments not demanding so much technology.

“In short, the time has come to split our product and forge ahead in two directions at once, with two customized platforms at the same time.”

The vehicle for the second path is the Century Class S/T (safety/technology), which the company said would be its top-of-the-line tractor. The Century S/T has an array of passive and active safety systems including a standard driver’s airbag, and in a first for the industry, an automated transmission (the Eaton Fuller Autoshift) as standard. Also standard is an engine compression brake to conserve service brakes and increase safety on long grades.

Technology enhancements include a data logger that records operational data with a snapshot feature that highlights operating parameters for a minute before and a minute after a fault code is logged. The driver’s message center is configured to display fuel economy and performance information from the engine as well as diagnostic alerts from throughout the truck. It also displays information from the optional Eaton VORAD collision avoidance system, Qualcomm alerts and starter lockouts.

Despite the additional features and equipment, the Century Class is now lighter after an extensive weight reduction program.

Driver comfort has also been enhanced with new ride quality from changes to front suspension, springs and shock absorbers. Inside, extensive additional soundproofing has halved the interior noise.

Additional driver comfort and convenience is available with the Freightliner EzyRider air seat, designed with a number of innovative features in response to driver complaints about truck seating. Freightliner is offering the new seats across the board.

The S/T will cost about 10% more than a current Century Class tractor, Hebe said.