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NTS MEAN PRIZES!
Page 42
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It's that time again... Colin Barnett packs the Rennies for a week in Germany as Europe's finest tractors go head to head in another 1,000-Point Test.
For this year's 1,000-Point Test the manufacturers were invited to provide tractors equipped with their best cabs and powered by engines of around 430hp.As usual, given the local (German) 40-tonne limit,4x2 chassis were the order of the day.
In the event the four manufacturers who accepted the challenge were the same as for the last test,in 2002: two Germans and two Swedes The product lines ranged in "maturity" from the well established MANTGA and Volvo FH12,through last year's International Truck of the Year, the latest Mercedes-Benz Actros, to its successor, the new-for-2004 Scania R-Series.
Each truck was weighed ready for the road,with full 400 litre fuel tank, fifth wheel, air deflector and alloy wheels with 315/70 R22.5 tyres and spare.
The manufacturers were given a free choice of transmission so it's a sign of the times that all four tractors arrived with auto boxes.
Even if many operators and drivers have yet to be convinced, it seems the truck designers believe the best results come by leaving driveline management to the microchips.
This issue created some discussion at the pre-test briefing, where opinions differed over whether to drive in manual mode or leave the decisions to the truck;in the end the automatic choice carried the day.