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27-465: Distinguished by its jellybean-shaped headlamps, large windshield, and nearly vertical grille, the M2 is designed for a wide variety of applications, encompassing multiple design configurations. In addition to cargo box trucks , flatbed trucks , and towing vehicles , the model family supports a wide variety of emergency, utility, and vocational uses, with multiple cab, chassis, and axle configurations. The M2

54-612: A $ 250 million development program by Freightliner, the Business Class M2 was introduced at the beginning of 2002; starting with 2003 production, the all-new model line was gradually phased in as a replacement of the previous FL-Series. To produce the all-new model line, the Mount Holly, North Carolina manufacturing facility underwent extensive renovations, upgrading its assembly systems with increased automation; expansion also allowed for increased production. In contrast to

81-414: A diesel-electric parallel hybrid vehicle, using a M2 106 powered by a Mercedes MBE906 diesel and an electric motor integrated within the drivetrain. The system was intended to move from a stop on electric power, with the diesel engine providing only supplemental torque. The parallel-hybrid configuration entered production in 2008, with Freightliner targeting customers driving in urban environments. In 2011,

108-586: A similar redesign, becoming the SD Plus for 2024. For bus applications, Freightliner has developed two variants of the M2. The C2 is a cowled chassis (bodied without a cab); for applications outside of school bus use, Freightliner designates the cowled bus chassis as the S2. Developed specifically for the Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus (assembled by Freightliner subsidiary Thomas Built Buses ),

135-415: A two-door extended cab, and a four-door crew cab. While the 100 and 106 were produced largely as straight trucks, the 112 was produced both as a straight truck and as a semitractor. Coinciding with the development of the M2, Daimler Trucks North America made multiple changes to other truck lines produced by the company. The Sterling line of trucks adopted a number of components from the M2 (reducing

162-518: A wind deflector on the cab roof, but this is not a Luton body; the Luton is functional and can be accessed from the main body. The portion of the body that rests over the cab is called the peak, also referred to, in some quarters, as a "Luton" or a "kick". Many commercial vehicles have tilting cabs. To allow for this, the floor of the Luton may be hinged, and there may be a hinged flap at the front. Freightliner Coronado The Freightliner Coronado

189-614: A yellow school bus body. A variant of the S2C cab chassis known as the S2RV is also used as a platform for large Type C recreational vehicles (RVs). Freightliner Specialty Vehicles (also known as SportChassis LLC) is a manufacturer based in Clinton, Oklahoma that produces conversions of the Business Class M2 as consumer vehicles. Several vehicles are available, including 5th-wheel tow vehicles and pickup trucks. While similar in layout to

216-559: Is a Class 8 conventional truck , intended for long haul and vocational use. It was introduced in January 2001, with production starting for the 2002 model year. It featured Cummins , Caterpillar , and Detroit engine options. That generation was discontinued in 2010 to make way for a second; however, the first generation remains available as a glider , referred to as the 122SD. [REDACTED] Media related to Freightliner Coronado at Wikimedia Commons This truck-related article

243-543: Is a style of commercial vehicle body incorporating an enclosed box body extended over the cab. It takes its name from the town of Luton , in Bedfordshire , where the Bedford commercial vehicle plant was located. This style of body was designed to accommodate the high-volume, low-weight loads of straw hats which were part of Luton's industry. Straw hats were wrapped in hessian fabric in long cylinders to fit across

270-663: Is also used by bus manufacturers, with both cowled-chassis and cutaway-cab configurations supporting body assemblies. The M2 has been produced by Freightliner in its Mount Holly, North Carolina since June 2002; for Latin American markets, Freightliner has assembled the M2 in Mexico in Santiago Tianguistenco since 2003. The second generation of the M2 (the M2 Plus) is entering production in late 2023. Following

297-472: The International CXT/RXT , these differ in that they are completed by a second-stage manufacturer . Box truck A box truck —also known as a box van , cube van , bob truck or cube truck —is a chassis cab truck with an enclosed cuboid -shaped cargo area. On most box trucks, the cabin is separate to the cargo area; however some box trucks have a door between the cabin and

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324-431: The 1000th M2 hybrid was produced. In 2009, Freightliner introduced the M2 112 NG powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). The first CNG-fuel vehicle produced by the company, the 112NG used a Cummins ISL-G inline-6. In 2018, Freightliner introduced the eM2, a prototype of a Class 5 box truck. Developed for local use, the eM2 has a range of 230 miles. Following field testing of limited-production vehicles by customers,

351-515: The 106V was fitted with a higher-profile hood and rectangular grille (the 112V was typically identified by its rectangular air intake). For 2012 production, the M2 106V and 112V were replaced by the SD-series (SD=Severe Duty), including the Class 7 108SD (set-back front axle) and the Class 8 114SD (set-forward/set-back front axle). Along with replacing similar models within the previous FL-Series,

378-476: The C2 departs from previous precedent in its higher parts commonality with its donor chassis. From the driver's seat forward, the dashboard is used in its entirety; though a revised windshield is used, the stock windshield wipers are retained. The Freightliner S2C (S2 Cutaway) is a cutaway-cab variant of the M2 106. Intended for commercial use (including shuttle and transit bus use), the S2C has not been produced with

405-588: The FL-Series, which adopted a Mercedes-Benz low-cab COE to a conventional-cab configuration, the M2 was developed within North America. Replacing the Class 5-8 FL50-80 was the M2 106 (denoted by its 106-inch BBC length). During 2003, Freightliner introduced the Class 5 M2 100 (the smallest M2) and the M2 112 (replacing the FL112). For all three models, three cab configurations were offered: a standard daycab,

432-463: The M2 106V and M2 112V (V=Vocational) heavy-duty variants of the M2 model family. Intended for applications where the vehicle powers auxiliary components, the 112V is equipped with a power take-off device (PTO), optional on the 106V. Both vehicles are designed with heavier-duty frame and suspension components and offer extended front frame rails (to package a PTO, or to fit equipment such as a snowplow). Distinguished by their rectangular hood air intake,

459-651: The MBE4000 as standard (with larger engines distinguished by a taller grille and a flatter hood). Following the exit of both Caterpillar and Mercedes-Benz from on-highway diesel production in North America, the model line sourced its engines exclusively from Cummins. For 2017, the M2 106 introduced the Detroit DD5 inline-4 turbodiesel as a standard engine (a design derived from the Mercedes-Benz OM936). In 2006, Freightliner produced its first prototype of

486-510: The SD series was also introduced to replace market share lost by the 2009 closure of Sterling. The model line adopted the cab structure of the M2 (reinforced by steel), placing it on the chassis of the 122SD (the renamed Freightliner Coronado ). In contrast to both the M2 and the 122SD, the 108SD and 114SD were developed entirely for vocational applications. Alongside the M2 Plus, the SD followed

513-495: The basis (rather than an actual cargo van), in order to reduce the labour required for production. In British English , box van is a term for a four-wheeled covered goods wagon (freight vehicle) with a fully enclosed body. In British English the word truck refers to large open topped freight vehicles or rail freight waggons. A lorry is a HGV road vehicle. A van is used for an enclosed railway freight carriage or medium or smaller commercial road vehicles. A Luton body

540-411: The box plus cab is even longer) and can range from Class 3 to Class 7 (12,500 lb. to 33,000 lb. gross vehicle weight rating ). They often have a garage door -like rear door that rolls up. They are often used by companies transporting home appliances or furniture , or are used as moving trucks which can be rented by individuals. Ford , Dodge and Chevrolet / GMC have historically been

567-399: The cargo area, box trucks tend to be larger than cargo vans and smaller than tractor-trailers with movable trailers. The difference between a box truck and a van is that the cargo van is a one-piece ( unibody ), while a box truck is created by adding a cargo box to a chassis cab . The boxes on box trucks are typically 10–26 ft (3.0–7.9 m) in length (the overall length of

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594-425: The eM2 entered full-scale production in 2023 as a variant of the second-generation M2 Plus. Two versions are offered: a single-motor Class 6 truck (180 miles of range) and a dual-motor Class 7 truck (250 miles of range). The motor(s) are integrated into the axle (including a two-speed transmission), with the battery placed below the cab. Introduced in late 2022 for 2024 production, the second-generation M2 Plus marks

621-582: The most common manufacturers of conventional cab / chassis to which the cargo box is attached by various producers (called body builders or upfitters). Isuzu , Fuso and UD Trucks have been the most common producers of cab over -type medium duty cab/chassis used as platforms for box trucks. Small box trucks often use the cab of full size vans from Ford, Chrysler or General Motors (e.g. Ford E-Series /Econoline/ Ford Transit , Dodge Ram Van , Chevrolet Express / Chevrolet Van / GMC Vandura / GMC Savana ), though pre-manufactured cutaway van chassis vehicles are

648-457: The most extensive changes to the model line since its 2003 introduction. Visibly similar to the first generation, the Plus series is distinguished by its projector headlamps, an enlarged hood vent, and a restyled grille (replacing its Century Class-style design with the slatted style of the facelifted Cascadia). Though sharing the cab structure of the previous generation, the interior of the M2 Plus

675-417: The share of parts originally designed by Ford, the original developer). Freightliner Custom Chassis (the namesake subsidiary producing bus and RV chassis) also began development of vehicles derived from the M2. The M2 100 and 106 were initially equipped with standard Mercedes-Benz MBE900 diesel engines, with the M2 106 offering Caterpillar engines as an option. The M2 112 was fitted with larger engines, using

702-459: The width of the van. It was incidental that it was the home of Bedford although all the early Luton vans were on Bedford chassis. The body style is common in medium commercial vehicles such as the Ford Transit , as well as larger vehicles, especially those used by household removals companies. More modern examples may be streamlined to reduce wind resistance. Some commercial vehicles have

729-476: Was completely redesigned, centered on upgrading both ergonomics and user technology. An all-new dashboard integrated functions into the steering wheel, increased the customization capability (for auxiliary switches), and a largely digital instrument panel. The model line adopted a number of safety systems, standardizing active brake assistance and lane departure warnings; side guard assistance and adaptive cruise control are optional. In 2004, Freightliner released

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