Freightliner’s on-highway, Severe Duty Coronado trucks

Updated Jan 21, 2010

Freightliner Coronado On-HighwayFreightliner Trucks says its revamped on-highway Coronado features enhanced aerodynamics, updated technological innovations and luxurious styling, and also features improved fuel economy and revamped comfort features. And the company says its Coronado Severe Duty (SD) – available in both set-back and set-forward axle configurations – improves upon the durability and dependability of its FLD SD with the driver comfort and style synonymous with the Coronado, while adding elements specifically engineered for the vocational market.

Available with the Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15 and DD16 engines, as well as the Cummins ISX, both trucks are designed to meet the upcoming U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 standards. Detroit Diesel engines are equipped with BlueTec emissions technology designed to deliver a fuel economy improvement of up to 5 percent compared to EPA 2007 engines and are an evolution of the selective catalytic reduction technology developed by Daimler.


On-highway

Using Freightliner’s wind tunnel to develop and test the truck, the Coronado’s chrome-plated hood handle was designed to enhance airflow, while the two-piece windshield’s curved shape is sloped for better airflow around and over the cab, decreasing wind resistance. Also, dual chrome steel intakes come standard; air enters the system through two chromed steel grilles on either side of the hood, combining an aerodynamic and functional inlet with a stylish design. Designed for maximum efficiency, the intakes are positioned on either side of the hood to minimize the infiltration of water, snow, road debris or dust.

The Coronado features a strong, durable cab made of high-strength lightweight aluminum, as well as an up-to-50 degree wheel cut for added maneuverability. The headlights are made from a strong composite material incorporating a single reflector – which offers added lighting capability both forward and to the side – and use just a single bulb. A spring helps open and close the hood and reduces the lift effort to 40 pounds. Noise abatement materials include noise panels in the floor, front wall, sides and back panel; double-sealed doors and well-sealed windows help reduce noise further.

The Coronado’s dashboard is formed as a single piece to minimize fasteners and rubbing points that create rattles; the dashboard’s controls, valves and air switches are front-loaded and designed to be located within easy reach, and all switches and extra-large instrument panels are backlit by LED lights for non-glare nighttime viewing. The Coronado’s sleeper includes strategically placed cabinets to maximize storage, a stow-away upper bunk that provides extra bed space, a pullout writing surface, clothing rack and a separate control panel for heat, air conditioning and lighting.


Severe-duty

The rugged Coronado SD was designed for maximum durability; the fenders come standard with impact-absorbing material that helps eliminate damage and cracks, and the one-piece stainless steel grille surround is accented with chrome steel horizontal bars. The Coronado SD’s cab is equipped with updated doors: The outer door frame and belt rail are made from aluminum and combined with a steel inner reinforcement, resulting in a lightweight, sturdy design to provide added door sealing and less mirror vibration. A standard courtesy light illuminates the entry steps, and the 70-degree door opening makes it easier for customers who get in and out of the truck often.

The Coronado SD also is equipped with a single air filter to facilitate improved filtration capability. Also available are optional pre-cleaners that create a vortex effect to spin dust and heavy water particles out of the air and away from the engine. Other key features include a 90-degree hood tilt for easier engine access for daily checks, as well as lightweight high-strength construction to allow for heavier, larger payloads, Freightliner says.

The Coronado SD can be equipped with the Detroit Diesel BlueTec 1-Box configuration, which combines the diesel oxidation catalyst, diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction catalyst into one component. Not only does the 1-Box configuration help improve fuel economy by reducing backpressure, its design allows for a clean back of cab, Freightliner says; the 1-Box configuration also eliminates the protruding exhaust tail pipe, so bodies can be mounted close to the back of the cab, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing payload.