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EM S
Page 29
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No one could have predicted the impact that the Premium would have on Renault's UK tractor sales. Until 1996 the French company's market share amounted to little more than 2% but since the introduction of the Premiums, which replaced almost 6o% of its heavy truck range, sales figures have been increasing year on year.
Last year Renault sold 1,940 two and threeaxle tractors to take nearly II% of the market Image has a lot to do with the company's changing fortunes. Operators seem to like the cab's smooth lines, but under the skin Renault has relied on evolution rather than revolution, tied in with improvements to its dealer network.
The Privilege cab gave drivers the kind of uncluttered living space that was wanted for long-haul work. More than 90% of drivers on this type of work travel alone, so two years later Renault catered for them with the singleoccupancy cab which was produced by removing the passenger seat and adding a flat floor. This was an instant success, accounting for nearly 6o% of Premiums sold over the next couple of years. Also in 1998 Renault's ii.o• litre engine was uprated from 381 to 392hp and in 2000 the company made a technologi. cal leap forward, by making the Premium thE first heavy truck to be equipped with corn. mon-rail injection, adding to the engine's combustion efficiency and the truck's opera. tional flexibility.
The new four-valve head and central].) mounted injection improved breathing anC bought an increase in output, uprating thE engine to 412hp with t,87oNm of torquE delivered at almost a constant level betweer o50-T ,35orpm. It all made for a very flexiblE truck to drive.
Common-rail injection relies on fuel beinE delivered to the injectors at a very high pres. sure; in this case about 1,500 bar. The injec. tors, each fitted with a solenoid valve, are con. trolled electronically to give precise iniectior timing and fuel delivery. In addition to thE engine's ECU the Premium 420 dCi is fittec with a vehicle management control (V-MAC computer that oversees engine functions well as driving functions such as cruise con trol, speed limiter, traction control and ABS. I. also provides diagnostic information that car