Well I'm back at home and it's time to do some work after a day spent driving Scania's new trucks. But first the story. Those jolly Swedes in Sodertalje have unveiled their EGR Euro-5 line-up based upon the current nine-litre and a new 13-litre engine. And after a lot of speculation, they're confirmed that the 16-litre V8 that currently uses SCR WILL make Euro-5 with EGR---although as yet there's no word on exactly when. However, BLB expects it to break cover next year.
The new 13-litre six-pot features all kind of new whizzy technology including clever electronics providing multi-stage injection, a high-pressure common rail fuel distribution system called XPI developed jointly with Cummins and variable geometry turbocharging. And having driven one at 480hp in a Scania R-Series BLB can reveal it's a pretty torquey lump. The 13-litre EGR engine is available from 360--480hp but that's not all that's new. After being battered by the likes of the Daf CF Super Space Cab and MAN TGA LX with their 'tall-but-thin' cabs, Scania is fighting back having launched a new mid-range cab called the 'G' range. And here it is.
Strangely, for a new truck launch, they only had one at the driving event! But after I'd managed to lever a Russian journalist out of it (he was worse than a limpet) it was my chance to have a go.
The G cab sits smack in the middle between the smallest P cab and tallest R cab. It's not exactly rocket science as to how they've done it. What they've done is take the basic R cab structure and lowered it, so the engine hump in the G is higher than that in an R cab---but it's still lower than in the P cab and as a result you can almost stand up straight when you're standing on it.
It comes with five cab versions, from a short day cab to a full-fledged high-roof 'Highline' version. However, the tallest Topline cab remains the sole property of the R-cab, thereby providing sufficient delineation between the G and the R cab. Scania has also taken the opportunity to improve storage with the G cab gaining a drawer in the centre of the dash and lidded lockers on the overhead trays---before there were just nets.
And there's more. Scania has finally decided that if you can't beat them you should join them. After Dutch Scania importers Beers originally built its own Topline P cab when the factory didn't want to, the Swedes have finally bowed to the inevitable and come to the party with their own new Highline version of the latest P cab. And having driven a tractor with one, and poked around inside it, I reckon they've got a little winner. In fact I reckon this stands more of a chance of being a real contender against the FM Globetrotter and CF Super Space Cab---which is ironic considering that the cab that's meant to do it (or at least according to the guys from Scania) is the G Highline. But of the two I just happen to prefer the P Highline. That's me all over...awkward.
In the meantime I have shot some video clips of 25.25m in action on the Scania test track and I'll get roadtransport.com editor Toby Clark to post them up on BLB---as he's a bit of a technowhizz who knows how to do it!
Toby Clark adds:
Ahem! The video is up now - to see Scania's take on Longer, Heavier Vehicles (LHVs) - in the form of both B-doubles and drawbars - check out Brian's film here.
Great news about the cabs. However, i feel Scania are missing out what all the other manufactures have got. A 7.5 tonner. Daf have the LF, Volvo have the FL, Iveco have the cargo, MAN have the TGL and Merc have the Atego. They are really missing out the market for small trucks. I feel they should do a 7.5 tonner as i am sure a fair few will buy them. Either that or rebadge the old Ford Cargo (cant you tell i am a Ford Cargo fan).
Andy