Diesel Progress North American

POWERTRAIN
NEW TRANSMISSION FOR
FREIGHTLINER M2
AMT3 automated manual targets wide range of medium-duty applications

Freightliner has introduced its new AMT3 automated manual transmission for Business
Class M2 vehicles.
BY KYLE KOPPLIN
Freightliner, a division of Daimler Trucks North America, has launched a new, automated
manual transmission designed for
its Business Class M2 medium-duty
truck. The new AMT3 transmission
is designed for myriad applications
including pickup and delivery, food
and beverage distribution, utility and
towing, the company said. “Gross
combined weight (GCW) limits are
40,000 lb.,” said Joanna Butler, trans-
axle project manager, Daimler Trucks
North America. “But we can go higher
in certain applications.”
According to the company, the AMT3
combines the design of a manual trans-
mission with intelligent electronics to
provide an automated two-pedal sys-
tem that equalizes drive performance
and improves fuel economy, as well as
eliminates the need for a torque con-
verter by coupling the engine directly to
the transmission through a hydraulically
actuated clutch.