1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204 
Slap-bang in the middle
Page 16
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Scania says interest in its new G-series is strong. CM finds out why...
Words / Images: Brian Weatherley WHEN CM A I I ENDED the launch of the Scania 0-series cab in September 2007, we were a bit "underwhelmed". To us, it seemed neither fish nor fowl, sitting between the tallest long-haul R-series and the smallest fleet/ distribution P-series.
Yes, we could see cost-conscious hauliers liking it, not least when set against narrower cab rivals, like the Daf CF and Renault Premium. But given the choice, most drivers would undoubtedly prefer a bigger R-series cab. However, we've been keen to see the G-cab again, and an invitation to Scania's Milton Keynes HQ gave us the opportunity. Second time around, the 0-series is growing on us. But more importantly, it's growing on the Swedish truck-maker's UK customers, too. While Scania (Great Britain) saw the greatest potential for the 0-cab on a tipper, it's been surprised by positive reactions from tractor buyers.
As far as multi-wheelers go, the Gcab is an improvement over the smaller P-cab, especially in terms of space and practicality We looked over an earlydelivery G380 eight-legger with highchassis, straight-beam front axles and the deepest CG16 low-height cab. Compared with the P-cab's two-step entry, the higher-mounted G-cab needs three steps to get into it — and with straight front axles, the first is quite a stretch. Scania does, however, fit a folding bottom step that reduces the first tread height by 80rnm and, if you do spec straight front axles, we'd recommend adding it to your buying list, unless ground clearance is critical.
Extra space Once inside, you can't help but notice the extra room in the G-tipper compared with the equivalent P-cab. But what caught our eye was the amount of storage space, starting with a big tray/ box with a drawer in the centre of the dash, plus another deep tray on the back wall, with cup and bottle holders built-in. Behind both seats in the extended day cab, there's ample room for boots or a hard hat — although it's a pity Scania didn't put separate removable bins in the space.
Thanks to a lower engine cover, cross-cab access is manageable — try it in a low-mounted P-cab or equivalent Volvo FM and you'll see what we mean. Above all, the days of Scania fitting a tractor cab on an eight-legger are over: the G-series eight-wheeler cab comes with hard-wearing trim and solid mats. We left with a positive impression and, if you want a tipper with a decent-sized cab and don't mind it sitting up a bit higher, it deserves consideration.
Talking tractors
We next spent some time on the road with a 420hp. 6x2 tractor equipped with a normal-height CG19 sleeper cab. We can see why artic operators might like the G-cab. It's compact and saves up to 32kg in tare weight against an equivalent R-cab model, which tanker and tippermen will welcome. From a driver's perspective, it's more likely to be appreciated by those on daily distribution work or with the occasional night out who've previously had a P-cab, rather than those used to the R-cab. Although cross-cab access is relatively easy (helped by the fold-down gear lever), you can't stand up on the engine cover. And from what we recall from the original launch, although the tallest Highline G-cab offers an extra 210mm of headroom within the overall 1,740mm above the engine hump, there still isn't a lot of room for a tall driver. However, you can sit on the raised bottom bunk of the normal sleeper comfortably.
When Scania unveiled the G-cab last year, it also launched its 13-litre, EGR Euro-5 engine. Currently, the G-cab comes with the Euro-4, 12-litre or 9-litre EGR diesels — the new 13-litre G-series won't arrive until early 2009.
How does it rate?
The G-cab is growing on us... slowly. We rate it for an eight-wheeler. But if you're looking to downsize from an R-cab tractor, and your drivers are away for a few nights a week, we'd recommend you go for the G-Highline — and while that might seem like a contradiction by ordering a taller, smaller cab, think of the residuals and you'll feel better. •