controls are to the left and are operated by conventional dials. Controls for Cruise Control, scrolling through the various info screens and audio controls can be accessed on the toggle switches on the steering wheel as well as through the screen controls, just like it is on the Actros. It is logical, particularly for fleets that may only buy Daimler product, delivering a degree of familiarity between the various Daimler brands, allowing drivers to more quickly adapt. The cab with its flat floor between the two Isri suspension seats for driver and passenger, enables easy movement around the interior and access to the sleeper bunk. Not surprisingly for a truck from the Daimler family, the Cascadia has an impressive array of safety features and technologies. The list includes standard ABS, ESP, seatbelt pretensioners, radar adaptive cruise control, and autonomous emergency braking, to avoid or reduce the impact of collisions. Once out on the Western Motorway heading toward Ballarat the ride in the Cascadia was smooth and comfortable and tracked well on the at time bumpy and badly maintained tarmac. The Cascadia’s rear airbag suspension and its taper leaf front springs delivered across all the road conditions while the typical accurate and precise Daimler steering allowed for an easy and comfortable drive , whether on the motorway or the narrow bitumen as we headed north-west into the Wimmera. With 60 tonnes on board as our gross weight the DD16
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powered us along nicely and the generally easy flow, good gearing and final drive and the aero shape of the Cascadia meant that fuel economy was also excellent with the numbers indicating an average of 1.87 km /litre on the run to Mildura. While we admit we did not use the sleeper for shut eye for the evening in Mildura, choosing instead to take a bed in a hotel for the night, the sleeper bed looked very comfortable and one of our colleagues who did sleep in it for the night reckoned it was extremely comfy and easy to sleep in. Certainly the flat floor of the cab makes the whole sleeping experience a lot easier, given you can easily stand and change into your ‘jarmies’ and equally to get ready for the day’s drive ahead. There appears to be plenty of storage space and nooks to safely stow things and be able to easily access the next day. By the time we reached Mildura mid-afternoon we felt like we could have continued on perhaps on down to Adelaide or turned right across the Murray and headed East to Sydney across the Hay Plain, such was the level of ease and comfort in the Cascadia after 540 km of driving. We could easily have knocked out another 1000km without raising a sweat. So for all those numbers, we did establish that the Freightliner Cascadia 126 16 litre 600hp prime mover can easily cope with a 26 metre B Double with 34 pallets and its 36 “ sleeper will provide a great night’s rest. The numbers clearly all add up particularly when you take into consideration the fuel consumption.
We’re on Emission Emission At Volvo Trucks, environmental care has long been central to our vision of the future. At Volvo Trucks, environmental care has long been central to our vision of the future. We care passionately about the world we live in, and as the shift towards electric vehicles We care passionately about the world we live in, and as the shift towards electric vehicles gathers pace, we are more committed than ever to driving progress. gathers pace, we are more committed than ever to driving progress. We are thrilled to have launched our all-electric medium duty truck range We are thrilled to have launched our all-electric medium duty truck range for Australian transport operators.
for Australian transport operators. The new Volvo FL and FE Electric medium duty range meet the demand from society and customers The new Volvo Electric medium duty meettothe demand transportation, from society and for dramatic cutsFL in and CO2FE emissions. To simplify therange transition sustainable thecustomers trucks are for dramatic cuts in CO2 emissions. To simplify the transition to sustainable transportation, offered together with service and support packages for electromobility needs. the trucks are offered together with service and support packages for electromobility needs. Come and visit us at the Brisbane Truck Show Stand #49, Hall 3 between 18 - 21st May Comeand andlearn visit how us atwe thecan Brisbane Show Stand #49, Hall 18 - 21st May partnerTruck with you in your transition to 3anbetween electric future. and learn how we can partner with you in your transition to an electric future. Learn more by visiting www.volvotrucks.com.au/electrictrucks. Learn more by visiting www.volvotrucks.com.au/electrictrucks.
Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress
