Road Tests: Scania R420

Scania's 420 12-litre has enjoyed a solid reputation as a frugal motor since its introduction in the 4 series. With the leap to the R series, and Euro-4, it looks quite capable of retaining the respect of both operators and their accountants. If production trucks fare as well at Euro-4 as this test truck those earnest proponents of SCR may have their work cut out convincing us that adding AdBlue is the only way to go. True, an EGR truck like this is really going to do the business only on medium to long haul runs - subject it to too much work in town and it could make a bit of a dent in the profits, but as our test finds its just as happy tramping along secondary roads as cruising along the Continent's immacuate autoroutes. As for the rest of the truck, there's not alot wrong with the highline cabbed R series. It's a joy to drive, save for the cumbersome gearshift, handling mixed terrain with the quiet assurance we've long associated with trucks built in Europe's most northerly territory, and when it's time to switch off the engine and catch up on some rest the Scania fulfills that brief comfortably too, albeit after some pre-sleep cab adjustments. Early reports from operators confirm decent reliability with the R series, avoiding some of the pitfalls that come with its predecessor, and few trucks keep their value like a Scania, boding well for the model's future. Now, with an impressive performance at Euro-4, the reasons for not considering the mighty Swede have been reduced even further.