It's a brave truck manufacturer that launches a new truck in the middle of one of the worst recessions on record. Yet Scania is adamant: "The timing for the new R-Series is perfect." Be that as it may your blogging reporter was in Sweden two days ago to witness the changes the Swedes have made to their heavy truck cab which will be featured on incoming right-hand-drive Euro-5 models arriving between now and next March. Now click through here to read all about the changes including the arrival (finally) of the two-pedal Opticruise!
From the outside you'd be forgiven for thinking the latest R-Series cab is much like the old one. But you'd be wrong. Scania's design and styling guru Kristofer Hansen (that's him above) and his team have been doing their thing which has resulted in the grille gaining more distinctive horizontal bars and a bigger badge. However, beauty is more than skin-deep as their work on the air intakes within the new grille means the air-flow into the engine compartment is significantly increased that Scania reckons, "We can cope with the cooling capacity requirements for Euro-6."
Here you can see the new, more aerodynamic side skirts and the relocated battery pack at the rear of the chassis which allows larger fuel tanks to be fitted - up to 1,500 litres (the legal maximum) a 4x2 tractor even when it's fitted with an SCR engine.
Next we come to the inside where the greatest attention has been spent. The new R-cab now comes with a choice of no less than four trim colours plus a new dashboard incorporating a revised central storage unit - which you can see the driver using in the picture. Indeed storage space throughout the R-Series cabin has been generally upgraded with extra shelves above the doors while the door pockets theselves can also now hold two large bottles. On the passenger side you'll also see the new fold-out table for eating on laptop.
Coffee anyone? yes those Swedes have thought of everything - including an optional coffee maker on new R-Series which you can order all ready-electrically plumbed into the dash.
However, best news (not least for Biglorryblog) is that Scania has finally dropped it's 'build-it-yourself' bottom bunk with those silly bits of foam and slide out trays (to get a full-width bed) and gone for this slide-out mattress that extends to 900mm in its widest position. OK the seat cut-outs remain but the clever bit is that the extendible mattress has pocket springs. Anyway don't listen to me - check out the video clip further down on Biglorryblog!
Talking of 'finally' Scania has at last launched a two-pedal version of its Opticruise automated gear change system (offered on the company's 8, 12 and 14-speed synchromesh boxes). However, if you really must DIY on your clutch pedal you can still order Opticruise with one on it - though frankly I'd be surprised if too many drivers or operators still want one. The new automated clutch is controlled by this electro-hydraulic control system (Scania tried doing it pneumatically but gave it up in favour of this system).
The jolly folk from Sodertalje have also added a manoeuvring mode to Opticruise as well as a 'rocking' function for tippers which, via sensing of wheel-slippage on the drive axle, provides quick disengagement and re-engagement of the clutch through judicious use of the throttle pedal. And for low-level luggers there's now a 'faster' (numerically-lower) 2.59 1 R780 single-reduction back axle for more economic cruising, bringing the engine revs down to below 1,200rpm at normal motorway/A-road speeds with a direct top gearbox. So what does this all add up to on the road?
Well yours truly spebnt a morning driving the new truck--I 'passed' on the V8s and instead concentrated on the R-Series tractors with the new 13-litre Euro-5 EGR engine, as quite frankly that's what most UK fleets will buy. The good news is that the R-Series is still one heck of a truck to drive. I continue to be impressed by the big Swede's ride which is soft but never sloppy. Brakes, steering, handling--are all 'right'. The new Opticruise box is silky-smooth and well up to Volvo I-Shift standard. What's more you don't have to force it via manual to make early upshifts. It's also a lot faster, especially when hill climbing, but most of all it's lost that old 'yes/no, do I want this gear...do I not want this gear?' dithering especially when pulling away at T-Junctions. The low speed manoeuvring function is good too. I really like the 13-litre's pulling power too, especially the 480hp version which has 2,500Nm of torque---indeed its bottom-end grunt is such that you really can bimble along at 50mph at 1,000rpm with the latest 'faster' 2.59
Anything I didn't like? Well I'm not completely sold on the Scania Driver Support system which, via a dash-board display like this, grades your driving style in the four key areas, of hill climbing, anticipation, braking and (if you're making manual shifts) gear changing. It's got the potential to be a great training tool for first time users of the R-Series, and a useful way to check your driving at the end of a shift. But I'm not convinced the average driver will want such a constant stream of 'performance' feedback. Scania says "We don't see it as a surveillance system but a 'coach'--which is why we haven't connected it to a fleet management portal although this could be done if operators wanted it. We see it more as a personal support for the driver." Anyroadup that's the new R-Series for you--another Biglorryblog service to readers!
I followed Commericial Motor to here to see the Scania's bunk and it was pretty difficult to get to here and still no details of how to see it. :-(
If anyone else has a problem finding the clip simply open up BLB as per normal and in the ‘search’ box on the top right you’ll see a blank space ready to enter details. Enter this:
New Scania R-Series and that slide-out bed. That's better says Biglorryblog!
And it will take you to the posting that has the YouTube video clip of the bunk that I shot. If you have any more problems let me know,