Freightliner Cascadia w/ Detroit Diesel reliability/mpg?

The early DD platform used a standard turbo, Evolution uses an asymmetrical turbo that spools faster. Durability and less complicated system to go wrong is the advantage, early, non Evolution have turbo compounding, a way to transfer power from the exhaust into more horsepower, claim.was 5%. Driveability is what I like, manual transmission is what I prefer in the conditions often encountered in the winters in the upper midwest.

Cummins has had issues, I'm not seeing too many in new FL where I go, but there probably are some out there.

 

Disc brakes weigh less and are said to work better in all conditions. I see them on trucks trying to save weight, first, but they are more expensive and parts may be harder to come by for repair should it come to that.

Evolution is an engine modification and drag reduction system. It can have manual or automated transmissions, is geared out more than previous, but it can go farther.

I've seen 2019 model year trucks in all flavors, without the ground effects and,or Daimler engine, it's a Cascadia, with both, it's usually an Evolution, and the new style was a redo, addressing driver amenities and appearance, with really close to the ground bumpers as standard.

I prefer open tanks and the old style, but many think those are dated and unappealing.

Those fairings are easily damaged with the snow and muddy ruts I have run across, that pavement skimming bumper is the same issue to me. I see open tanks and metal bumpers on some new style Cascadias, too.

 

By going farther, I meant direct drive and downspeeding using direct drive.

Overdrive setups tend to have less issues with poor traction driveability and running away with you on downhill grades, in my experience.

 

Volvo uses an overdrive transmission with low ratio gearing, typically 2.64, to give a cruise rpm of 11 hundred something @ a cruising speed of 63 to 67 mph.

Direct will accomplish the same with even less internal losses with rear gears of the lower 2.?? range, which is what FL and others have come up with.

It depends on who you talk to, but some hold those gears, while others downshift quickly as needed to maintain momentum. Eco coast is another thing the automated transmissions do, a computer controlled Georgia overdrive, decoupling the engine from the drive train on downhills and recouping as the computer decides for maintaining momentum and control, squeezing drive train losses even more to increase fuel mileage.