Freightliner Argosy: the last Class 8 cabover

The Freightliner Argosy is a line of cabover (COE) Class 8 trucks that Freightliner produced from the 1999 to the 2020 model years. It replaced the FLB cabover, was the last Class 8 cabover marketed in North America, and after 2006 was built almost entirely for export, chiefly to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Freightliner Argosy at a glance

based on one source

History of the Freightliner Argosy

Concept and first generation (1999–2011)

The Argosy made its debut in 1998 as the Freightliner Argosy Safety Concept Vehicle. It was derived from the Century Class conventional and shared its doors, windshield, headlamps and grille, along with telematics that allowed electronic braking, messaging, daytime running lights and traction control. The concept previewed a replacement for the FLB cabover of 1987 and was distinguished by a nearly flat interior floor with only three inches of engine intrusion, outward-pivoting entrance steps and a shorter overall length that allowed a 58-foot trailer in the United States. Mass production began in 1999, and the Argosy replaced both the FLB and FLA Class 8 cabovers as the third generation of tilting Freightliner cabovers, with the front axle placed directly below the driver.

Cab and equipment

Alongside the 63-inch day cab, sleeper cabs of 90, 101 and 110 inches were offered in mid-roof or raised-roof form. The Argosy shared its two-piece windshield with the Century Class, with a one-piece screen and three wipers as an option. Electrically powered pivoting entrance steps, carried over from the concept, were standard on the driver side and optional for the passenger, and the gear shifter was moved into the dashboard console so the sleeper could be entered standing up. The Mercedes-Benz engine of the concept did not reach production; the truck used Cummins, Caterpillar and Detroit Diesel inline-six diesels.

Export years and second generation (2012–2020)

An optional facelift marketed as the Argosy Evolution arrived in 2006, with a new grille flush with the bumper vents and improved chassis fairings for fuel economy. After the 2006 model year Freightliner ended North American sales, and from 2007 the Argosy was produced entirely for export. For 2012 a second generation appeared with a larger grille, aerodynamic and cooling improvements, a slightly raised cab that eliminated the floor intrusion altogether, a trapezoidal grille opening and single-piece door glass. It was powered by a Cummins ISX or a Detroit Diesel DD15, with 18-speed manual or automated manual transmissions at launch. Export to Australia and New Zealand ended in 2020, where the Cascadia conventional took its place.

Design and features

• Flat floor: engine intrusion cut to three inches, later removed completely with the raised cab of 2012.
• Pivoting steps: electrically powered entrance steps that swung outward, standard on the driver side.
• Century Class family: doors, windshield, headlamps and telematics shared with the conventional Century.
• Export specialist: in Australia the Argosy became the best-selling Freightliner vehicle line.

Freightliner Argosy versions

• Day cab: 63-inch BBC cab for local and regional work.
• Sleeper cabs: 90, 101 and 110 inches, mid-roof or raised roof.
• Argosy Evolution (2006): optional facelift with a new grille and better fairings.
• Second generation (2012): larger grille, raised cab, Cascadia-style interior and DD15 power.
• Glider: in North America the line stayed available as a glider truck until 2020.

The Argosy was developed from the Century Class and was finally replaced in Australia and New Zealand by the Cascadia. More trucks are in the Freightliner collection.

Sources

• Freightliner Argosy, English Wikipedia: production, generations, cab sizes, engines