1'0p-weight Berliet is lew Renault flagship
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E BERLIET 305 tractive t, announced to the UK at the NEC last year, is ✓ available to British Tators, and UK hauliers e the option of specifying Berliet 350 which uses a liar chassis and running ✓ for TIR work. However, latter is only to be had in form.
asically the 305 is intended be a premium T1R-type Alve unit to supplement existing 280 model. Its ification has been pitched ler to avoid conflict with TR280 and it sells for 00 more at E24,990.
enault says that the higher-weight sector of the market is growing, with 40-ton vehicle sales rising by up to 25 per cent. The TR 305 and the TR350 are designed for just this category_ The TR305 uses the 12-litre Renault group engine but for this application it is turbocharged and intercooled. Intercooling is by means of an air-to-air radiator mounted in front of the existing coolant radiator, which itself has been increased in size to allow for the blanking effect.
The result of intercooling has been to raise net installed power from 198kW (266bhp) to 222kW (298bhp) at 1900rpm, with torque of 1225Nm (924 lbft) coming in at 1300rpm.
Based on Renault's Maxicouple principle, nearmaximum power is obtained from 1600rpm to 2200rpm.
Although the Berliet BM8 120/3 gearbox is available as an option, along with a ZF 5S110G or Fuller RT09513, the standard gearbox on the 305 is the Fuller RT09509A controlled by a floor stick. This is the anti-clockwise pattern version of the eight-speed and crawler range-change box.
In common with other large Renault trucks, the newcomer has Renault's own P1332, 13ton-capacity rear axle which features double reduction and a diff lock. The chassis frame is common to both the TR305 and the wheelbase is 3.3m (10.8ft).
Like its smaller brother, the TR305 has the Renault KB 2400 steel cab, with full trim and twin bunks as standard. .Externally, though, the TR305 has a wider grille, with bumper-mounted headlamps, to provide the necessary air intake for the extra radiator.
One of the best features of the new model is the excellent tilt angle of the cab. It opens to a maximum 70°, but daily oil and water checks are made by' raising the hinged grille at the front of the vehicle.
While I was at the launch of the TR305, writes Steve Gray, I was able to take a demonstration model for a short test-drive around the Glasgow Airport area.
I agree with Renault that the combination of the lowrevving, high-torque-rise power unit and Fuller box is an excellent one. I am not keen on the power steering, which is described by the company as light but positive. It seemed far too heavy for me, and the wheel was too far away.
Nor did I agree that the Berliet's ride was excellent. Over some rough roads, the cab pitched and bounced quite a lot.