1,000-Point Test: Top Fleet Tractors – Introduction

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First published in Commercial Motor, 18/12/08
First published in Commercial Motor, 18/12/08

Following on from the success of last spring’s 1,000-Point Test with flagship tractors, we thought it was time we got back down to earth and tested trucks that would normally be seen in big fleets or belonging to a cost-conscious owner-driver. Like last time, four trucks turned up to be scrutinised to the last detail.

This time, however, Iveco decided to enjoy a Cappuccino in Naples rather than cruise Germany’s Hunsrück region, so DAF came instead. To everyone’s surprise, theirs was a truck that had been around for a few years – although before you panic, the AS-Tronic automated gearbox was running on the latest software, much to the testers’ delight.

Competing with DAF were MAN, Mercedes-Benz and Scania. All the trucks were specced with between 440 and 460hp and had to be supplied with automated gearboxes. DAF and MAN decided to delight the photographers once more with some flashy yellows, while Scania sported a bright red that grew on us. The Mercedes, true to its brand, was sprayed in a classy dark red.

The specified test route in the Hunsrück in Germany was 155km; five runs were made in each truck, with the worst one being discounted. Rather than the truck and trailer combination being specified at a certain weight, the four different trailers were merely swapped after each run – making it an even playing field and avoiding any advantage from a slightly lighter or more aerodynamic trailer. The days before tackling the test route were spent taking the interior measurements, assessing the visibility and so on, which gave our test drivers a chance to familiarise themselves with the trucks.

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