DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA) has just launched a Freightliner commercial vehicle that will not only supply in the growing local demand for customised trucks in the American mould, but also has a host of new technology features not seen on local trucks before. In addition to its long distance hauling pedigree, the new Argosy has a manoeuvrability in city environments that is attributed to its tight turning radius and excellent handling characteristics. Freightliner Corporation took the American market by surprise in 1998 when it introduced the Argosy - a streamlined cabover-engine (COE) model. The COE is however according to Freightliner a return to its historic roots, to the days when Freightliner pioneered the cabover more than a half-century ago. Freightliner is North America's leading manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks and specialised chassis. Its medium duty line of trucks, Business Class, is the fastest growing full product line and is regarded as the industry's technological benchmark. The company was founded with a propensity for custom engineering one truck at a time - and that is still its singular strength.Argosy is a name derived from early world trading to connote a richly laden merchant vessel - the pride of the commercial fleet. Built off the company's Century Class truck tractor, Argosy capitalises and improves upon many of the traditional features of the cabover, while eliminating the traditional disadvantages. The operator gains outstanding visibility and a wide cab without having to put up with a bulky engine tunnel that compromises driver room and comfort. The tractor's tight turning radius does not come at the expense of easy cab entry. The front wheel cut of up to 50 degrees works with the mid-axle back setting for superior manoeuvrability in tight spots. The Freightliner Argosy is available in five models: the 110-inch Raised Roof edition, 90-inch, 101-inch and 110-inch Mid-Roof versions and the 63-inch Day Cab. Although DCSA will import all variants according to customer orders, the stock units will be based on the 90'' Mid-Roof truck tractor models.Options for local specification include engines up to 600 hp sourced either from Cummins, Caterpillar or Detroit Diesel, and axles ranging from 5 440 to 9 070 kg front and 18 140 to 23 580 kg rear. The customised vehicles will be fully imported from Freightliner's Cleveland truck plant in North Carolina. About 600 units are destined for the South African market this year and next year.''The Argosy represents a natural evolution for Freightliner's products in South Africa as we have a responsibility to provide a full range of products including a cabover,'' said Johan Cloete, divisional manager for Freightliner at DCSA. ''Customers in South Africa want the latest technology and Freightliner can offer the best in customised technology. With this sophisticated new product in the line-up, I believe we can become the No 1 seller of American trucks in South Africa.''The marquee's market share of the market segment over 16 tonnes has climbed by about 2 percent compared to the same period last year to its present 8,4 % YTD April. When looking at the so-called American trucks that account for about 29 % of the over 16 tonne segment, Freightliner's share currently stands at 30 % against those competitors. It is also steadily gaining share in the over 400 hp sector - a sector that has shown the most growth for truck tractors with a gross vehicle mass of more than 16 tonnes.''With its manoeuvrability, low cost of ownership and efficiency, the Argosy is an ideal truck for local and regional distribution operations. It is also an answer to customers who have length and mass restrictions,'' Johan Cloete said. ''Finally, the Argosy isn't all function and no flash. It breaks from the traditional square, boxy cabover look with a startling, streamlined design. All of its technical achievements aside, this is a great looking truck,'' Cloete said.Low cost of ownershipContinuing its low cost of ownership philosophy and offering a prolonged life expectancy, the Argosy was designed on the principle that the only thing better than making components easy to access is making them easy to ignore for longer periods of time. There are components all over the truck that set new standards for reduced maintenance requirements. Some components - such as the steering shaft, leaf spring bushings, drive shaft and clutch bearing - need no maintenance at all. The Century Class Argosy has the best standard warranty of its kind, covering the basic vehicle for 2 years or 400 000 kilometres. Improved fuel efficiency is achieved through the tapered cab and grille design, aerodynamic bumpers and mirrors, roof and chassis fairing, curved windshield and side deflectors.Designed to be equal to the Century Class in ride, driver comfort and style, the Argosy uses lightweight technology - the cab is 80 percent aluminium - and complies with European crashworthiness standards. As with all Century Class trucks, advanced Henrob self-piercing and countersunk rivets are used in the cab construction. Stronger than cold-driven rivets or spot welds, Henrob rivets create a smooth surface for the easy application of custom paint and customer logos. Inside, less is moreThe Argosy excels in the area of interior ergonomics, boasting a spacious, open interior and the engine tunnel or ''doghouse'' on the cab floor is virtually eliminated, allowing the driver to freely move through the centre of the cab. The wrap-around instrument panel features an electronic dashboard with digital gauges. The Instrumentation Control Unit houses the main set of gauges that face the driver. Auxiliary gauges and switches are located in the B-panel of the dashboard, to the driver's right. Multiple seating adjustments allow driver comfort behind the wheel. Burlwood dash inserts add to the eye appeal; and oversized and back-lit gauges help reduce eye fatigue. Integrated cup and thermos holders are practical convenience features. The interior styling increases comfort for driver and passenger with a lot more options. In the mid-roof sleeper optional upper storage cabinets wrap-around the comfortable bunks. In the standard cab an overhead console has space for documents in the storage compartments. The door panel has a more contoured look with integrated door-locks and optional electrical power window controls in the panel. These are also easier to service and repair.The instrumentation features an 8 gauges information cluster as standard but two additional levels of options exist. The premium level features the Driver Message Centre, located right in front of the driver on the dashboard. This communicates information about fuel usage, fluid levels and temperatures. Besides allowing the driver to obtain better fuel economy, it displays diagnostic information, fault warnings and trip information in a choice of languages. It also receives messages from satellite or land-based communications. It is operated via a 10-key keypad.An all-new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the cab helps drivers stay alert. It provides even heating and cooling throughout even the largest of the Argosy cabs. It eliminates stale air through 19 air outlets and its check valves prevent a back-flowThe near absence of a traditional engine tunnel in the cab floor keeps the interior clear of interference so occupants can move freely about the cab. In the Argosy, the last vestige of the ''doghouse'' is an approximately 75 mm high bump in the floor that presents no obstacle to the driver or to manoeuvring between the seats. (The bump height varies from 75 - 180 mm depending on the engine selection.) Occupants can move rearward through the centre to reach the well-appointed sleeper, instead of going around the sides of the cab. They can sit on the bunk in an ergonomically optimised position. The absence of a wide tunnel also promotes the optimal seating position for driver and passenger. It means the seats can be moved further inboard for a wider shoulder clearance. Side spaces can now be utilised for modular cabinetry, optional pullout workstations and the huge range of other amenities associated with the popular Century Class. There is stand-up headroom from the seats on back in the 110-inch Raised Roof model, and nearly that in the Mid-Roof models. Ease of maintenanceAlthough the cab still has to be tilted to get to the engine compartment, a large service panel at the front of the cab tilts up 120 degrees for easy access to fluid reservoirs and daily checks. The truck contains numerous low-maintenance or no-maintenance components such as the steering shaft, leaf spring bushings, drive shaft and clutch bearing. The transmission shift lever is dash-mounted and eliminates damage due to cab/gearshift lever interference during cab and tilting. Cab vibration has also been reduced.Chassis electrical components are designed to be particularly long lasting, conveniently located and easy to service. The Power Distribution Module, for example, features a layered, stamped track design far advanced over other trucks. Wiring splices are minimised and connections are simplified.The advanced Data Logging Unit is a single, integral system that monitors and records pre- and post-event fault data from components throughout the cab. The data can then be downloaded and diagnosed via Freightliner's Windows-based ServicePro'' system, which puts vehicle history, documentation, diagnostic support and more at the fingertips of service advisors and technicians. Room with a viewThe Argosy provides unsurpassed forward visibility through a spacious, two-piece windshield. The lowered cab front has meant a lower dash and an increase in window area. With a panoramic view of surrounding traffic, pedestrians and obstacles, the driver can more safely navigate hectic urban environments. The range features a mid-axle configuration and the entry steps are located just behind the front wheels. That means safe, easy entry and exit from the cab. Customers can specify a revolutionary staircase-style step entry system, which lets drivers walk straight up a mini-staircase into the cab. Electronically controlled, these optional staircase-steps pivot from under the cab door when the door is opened. Safety enhancedFor enhanced occupant safety, more than 40 Freightliner safety innovations are available as standard or optional equipment, including anti-lock braking, daytime running lights and a low-profile chassis design for greater vehicle stability. The seatbelts in the Argosy are easily adjustable and therefore more likely to be used. A driver's side airbag is an option. In the event of a mishap, the unique seatbelt pretensioning and seat pull down system increases the space to the steering wheel in case of a crash, and the head clearance to the roof in rollover conditions. It also ensures that the airbag connects with the driver in the correct position.The optional advanced Eaton-Vorad collision warning system with adaptive cruise control is a system that alerts drivers in poor visibility situations of hazards ahead, as well as automatically keeps safe following distances between moving vehicles.An optional lane-departure warning system alerts fatigued drivers who may be drifting from the road and the available vehicle security system features an alarm as well as a remote door locking and unlocking device.