1.:Le . 111 4 .1 .- j jJf .1.1.1. -1 -1',J jin T ruckfest has always been a
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place for thrills and spills, but Europe's truck manufacturers now also see it as a major venue to launch models and display their current wares on the UK market.
Nowhere is that better exemplified than on the Leyland Daf stand which will be packed to the gunwales with the Dutch truck maker's long-awaited new flagship tractor—the 95XF, which will be making its UK debut at Truckfest.
Powered by an all-new 12.6-litre engine rated at 380, 430 and 480hp, the 95XF is very much the long-haul machine with plenty of room in its Space Cab and the even bigger Super Space Cab.
The stand will be awash with big orange demonstrator tractors from 380hp to the fire-breathing 530hp model powered by the 14-litre Cummins N-Series.
Prizes
Everyone entering Truckfest will get a 95XF "Game On" card with three levels of prizes to be given away over both days: ownerdrivers can win a 95XF for a fortnight; employed drivers get the chance to walk off with a Leyland Daf driver's overnight bag complete with wash and shaving kit, radio alarm and towel; and anyone else can win one of 10 Lion die-cast 95XF 1/50 scale models worth more than 230 each, The future looks bright, the future looks orange!
Sister company Foclen will have a large display starring a range of XL top-of-therange sleepers. The centrepiece, run by Alistair Cooper from Aberdeen, has a 14litre Cat engine rated at 455hp. Foden also hopes to show a Peterbilt cabover , produced by its parent company Paccar.
There's a common link joining all the "Star" performers on the Mercedes-Benz stand—the Vito, Sprinter and Adios commercials on show have all been voted van or truck of the year.
At Peterborough you'll find no less than 12 Actroses (Actri?) including the top-of-therange 1857 equipped with the latest 573hp vee-eight Euro-2 engine, Telligent gearshift system and electronically controlled disc brakes topped by the largest Actros "Mega Space" cab. Scania has long been a popular with small family-run haulage companies. The Swedish manufacturer will be displaying a line-up of six Scania tractors in the colours of William Armstrong the Longtown, Cumbriabased operator, from a well-preserved 1978 Scania LB111-250 through to the latest Series 4 Scenic R144-460 Topline 1997. Armstrongs seems to do well with its Scanios; in 1995 it won the coveted CM "Best kept Working Truck" award with a Vreg 111 tractor There will also be a display highlighting the new Scania Approved Used Truck Scheme, underscoring the Swedish marque's strength in the used market. Truckfest attracts Renault Magnums. This year the Magnum Owner's Club is looking to beat its 1996 record of 75 tractors. Renault itself will show three Magnums, including a most unusual 420hp model operated by Stansfield Transport. The company is a proud supporter of Halifax Rugby League Club and the tractor's livery reflects it right down to the goal posts! Premiums on show will range from a 17tonne rigid with the compact "Distribution" cab to the most powerful "Long-Distance" tractor with the 385hp 11-litre engine.
The sky is definitely the limit for lveco Group member Seddon Atkinson. It will have a wide selection of Strata tractors at Peterborough in operators' colours. Pride of place will go to its flagship tractor—the StratoCruiser, which has the same voluminous air-suspended cab as lveco's EuroStar.
Currently available with a 380hp 11-litre Cummins M11 CELECT diesel and Eaton 16-speed synchro box, the StratoCruiser is Oldham's answer to the Continental longhaul challengers. A 410hp version is in the pipeline as well as a model equipped with the 14-litre N-Series.The big cab "Cruiser' comes with climate control, twin bunks, a neat built-in coolbox and an integrated Road Relay display in dash, The famous "Big A" badge gets an outing over the bank holiday weekend in more ways than one. On the SA stand will be a current P-reg M-11 380 Strata tractor in the colours of Lawton-based 1 Huddlestone, which will also bring along an old P-reg Cummins-powered Atkinson Borderer. Fellow lveco Group member lveco Ford will be represented by local dealer TC Harrison. Vehicles on display include a 400E42 EuroTech operated by Paul Stewart, son of Jackie, hauling his Formula 3 team car transporter around. A 520hp EuroStar flagship tractor with SAMT, £5,000 paint job and lots of other owner-driver goodies is also expected at Peterborough. And lveco Ford is sponsoring the driving skills in the main arena with two EuroTech 400E38s.
Pride of place on ERF's stand will be a truck from its new owner Western Star. The bonneted 6x4 Constellation 596455 tractor is typical of the tough breed of artics the British Columbia-based maker builds for the North American market.
For those with their feet more firmly on the ground, local ERF dealer Sellers & Batty will be showing a variety of Sandbach-built EC tractors, six-wheelers, 17-tonners, with one of its "Fuel Duel" demonstrators.
Munich-based MAN will be showing its complete line-up including the 12000 7.5tanner and the latest M2000 middleweights. UK 17-tonne operators get a choice of two distinct cabs with the M Series.
As if that little lot wasn't enough, you can always drop by the CM stand where we'll have the ultimate express parcels deliver), machine—The Chris Hodge Cat-powered race truck!