Heavy truck maker Peterbilt Motor Co. is offering the fully automated, mechanical ZF Meritor FreedomLine transmission for all of its heavy-duty conventional models. The FreedomLine, introduced on Peterbilt’s Model 387 late last year, is now available for Models 385, 379, 378 and 357.
Peterbilt said the FreedomLine transmission can be operated in two modes: fully automatic or driver controlled. In the former, shifting is electronically controlled with the transmission sensing loads and automatically knowing when to skip shifts, increasing fuel economy by more than four percent, according to ZF Meritor.
The FreedomLine transmission is optional with the Cummins ISX engine and a torque rating of up to 1,650. It will be available with the Caterpillar C15 this fall.
