Test Drive: Detroit’s Smooth Self-Shifter
The Detroit DD13 was rated at 450 horsepower and 1,550 pounds-feet. The DT12 transmission recently became available with DD13 after debuting as a mate to the larger DD15.
Stubby selector lets driver choose
Automatic or Manual modes and command up- or down-shifts. But most of the time he can just slip it in D and drive.
A flatbed loaded with heavy
concrete blocks gave us some realistic weight for our evaluation.
This Freightliner Cascadia Evolution is equipped with a Detroit DD13 diesel and smooth DT12 automated mechanical transmission. The van shown here was empty, so we swapped it out for a heavily loaded flatbed trailer for our evaluation.
The Evolution daycab is roomy, quiet and pleasantly appointed. There’s no clutch pedal because it’s automated, like the transmission itself.
