(Photo courtesy of Freightliner/Daimler Truck North America)
Featuring significant updates and upgrades, Freightliner’s newly introduced Plus series models of its M2 and SD trucks, including the M2 106 Plus, M2 112 Plus, 108SD Plus, and 114SD Plus, have put a focus on driver comfort, productivity and technology. The enhanced models provide a major update to the interior and electrical systems of the popular M2 and SD models of medium-duty and vocational trucks.
“We listened to fleet owners and drivers, and redesigned one of the most widely-trusted medium-duty trucks on the market to make it even better,” said David Carson, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Daimler Truck North America (DTNA). “The Plus series provides Freightliner customers the same reliable workhorses they have counted on to add dollars to their bottom line for years, now packed with additional features to further benefit their operators and increase productivity even more.”
The Plus series trucks now feature an all-new interior designed for a more comfortable, safer driving experience with improved ergonomics and increased storage. Enhancements include new trim levels designed for customer preference and applications; improved insulation that muffles exterior noise and provides greater thermal efficiency; a driver-centric dash with driver information centre, customizable switch layouts; integrated controls on the steering wheel, and ergonomic seats with precise adjustability.
The series also features available Detroit Assurance safety systems and connectivity across Freightliner’s entire vocational and medium-duty truck lineup. In addition to being available with all Detroit engine models, customers will for the first time be able to order certain Detroit Assurance features when specifying a Cummins engine.
Standard selected safety features include active brake assist, lane departure warning, and optional side guard assist. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts cruising speed to maintain a safe following distance, will become available with Plus series start of production in Q3 2023.
The 114SD Plus features the DD13 Gen 5 engine, which offers cutting-edge diesel technology and new vocational power ratings.
The trucks’ Detroit DT12-V transmission is ready for any challenge on the work site, including an off-road mode that features aggressive shifting for sustained momentum and performance on any terrain. Paver Mode allows a dump truck to shift from neutral to drive without pressing the brake pedal, ensuring a steady flow to the paving machine.
Depending on truck model, the Plus series lineup will also feature the Cummins B6.7, L9 and X12 diesel engine options as well as L9N and ISX12N natural gas-powered engines. Eaton manual and automated manual transmissions, and Allison automatic transmissions are also available in Plus series trucks.
The Plus series was engineered for upfit efficiency with the introduction of the QuickFit Electrical System. QuickFit features a new multiplexed architecture that makes integrating truck equipment to the vehicle easier than ever. QuickFit delivers easy access to critical connection points, power sources, programmable switches, customizable parameters, and interlock features.
With the introduction of the Plus series trucks, key electrical components were also relocated to provide improved isolation from external variables and road debris that can cause downtime.
