Mystery truck out in the cold
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
EXCLUSIVE
by Brian Weatherley • As three major manufacturers prepare to launch heavy truck ranges in 1996 CM has spotted a prototype tractive unit on Swedish roads undergoing coldweather testing.
Our picture was shot two weeks ago near Kiruna in Swedish Lappland, 200km north of the Arctic Circle— a popular spot for cold testing vehicles.
The two-axle artic was hauling a flat-bed trailer carrying two half-size containers, followed by a pair of Volvo estates bristling with radios.
The front wheelarches suggest that the cab will be used for both tractors and middleweight rig ids—like Iveco's latest MP cab—not as a full-width cabin for a premium tractor.
The dummy grille panels hide the true identity of the maker. However, Scania, Mercedes and Renault are all hoping to launch new ranges next year.
Mercedes is known to be testing in Scandinavia— although our mystery truck has a markedly different profile from the prototype Mere captured in CM 20-26 January 1994.
The prototype rig carries a French number plate and the diamond shape in the centre of the fake grille suggests Renault, but Mercedes has used the same subterfuge on preproduction middleweight trucks spotted on its German test track last year (CM 24-30 Nov1994) !
Renault is busy working on a new cab range to replace the ageing Manager/Major units but test vehicles spotted in France are unlike the unit seen near Kiruna. However, the cab would clearly suit a range of vehicles from 17 tonnes upwards.
Scania has been extremely secretive about its new range which will replace the 3 Series next year. CM understands that it will take the modular Scania cab concept—using the same shell on both bonneted and forward control models—even further with greater commonality of components.
Finally Volvo is known to be developing an FL replacement based on the FH design—though our mystery truck lacks the distinctive single mirror support arms found on the FH, and its smoothly curved profile.
What is it? We aim to find out!