That’s quite amazing.
Blowouts must be hell on fiberglass fenderskirts.
And I’ve been kicked by the wind
Robbed by the sleet
Had my head stoved in
But I’m still on my feet
And I’m willin’, oh, I’m willin’
I don't believe it. I-35 has been a mess for years. No way they could average 65. If they said I-20 Fort Worth to Abilene or perhaps 1-45 Dallas - Huntsville, I might buy the data.
Don’t know if they still have it, but in 1999, Univ. of Idaho had a stock Yanmar truck engine that was slightly modified that ran on 40% ethanol and 60% water without loss of horsepower.
I always envisioned a jet nose for aerodynamic efficiency. Very cool. But how does it turn without crushing the baffle behind the cab?
Impressive? Yes.
But the maintenance costs are gonna be through the roof!
Our brand new Freightliner Cascadia Evolutions with the Detroit DD15 are getting 6.8 to 7mpg, but with all the electronic control modules installed, it is a REAL battle to keep the units rolling. Electronic problems galore!
Way too much technology, way too fast.
Whoa... Was it hauling Michael Moore around or something?
-——The final SuperTruck demonstrator ran a five-day, 312-mile round trip route on Texas Interstate 35 between San Antonio and Dallas, at a weight of 65,000 lbs GVWR at a speed of 65 mph, where it achieved an average result of 12.2 mpg.-——
San Antonio to Dallas is a one day round trip...if you are keeping double logs....: )
Why five days.....?
I used to drive I-35 ....nobody drives 65 mph on that highway unless you want to get run off it...
312 miles in 5 days? I used to run 2000 in 5 days with dock work. Heck, I’m a city driver now and do more than that in a week! Just wondering what took so long.
On the down side, aerodynamics - sure it looks good, no wind catching behind the cab and causing drag on the trailer. But how is this thing going to back into a dock? Especially a tight one? Things will go CRUNCH! I have some docks that require a 135 degree angle to get into them. And the plate behind the 5th wheel; does the trailer have to be dropped high every time? What if it isn’t and has 35k in it? Kind of hard to crank that up. Flexible materials might help. Yes I understand it is a prototype but it does need some work.
Pretty flat run all the way. Bunches of I35 torn up and narrow lanes.
I wonder what time they managed to roll through Austin and still manage a 65 mph average? I have never rolled through there when it was not stop and go.
It took them how long to make 312 miles?
Since it was a Detroit, how many gallons of oil did they spread on the road between the two points?
I saw this truck being towed the other day...
well not towed as in broke down, as in being towed from assembly to where ever it was going which can now assume is Texas
Diesel was German He somehow got lost or tossed overboard on a boat ride during the First World War
Achterleiber!
It is impressive. I believe the only reason Daimler Benz got in bed with Chrysler in the first place was to get their hooks into Freightliner trucks and motor coach chassis and have that much larger potential market for their diesel engines. Chrysler might have required a pre-nup, but since they were broke and needed DB’s cash, they couldn’t. And when the divorce happened, Benz took Freightliner on the way out the door. IMHO.
Under 63 miles per day during the test.
That mileage is indeed impressive but one must wonder about anticipated costs/restrictions. Heck, I had '69 Firebird that only got 11 MPG before I built it - then a 55 mile trip to Buffalo would pretty much drain the 18 gal tank - one way....
Same mileage as my wife’s 98 Dodge Turbo Diesel 3/4 ton pickup.