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THE ALTERNATIVE VIEW

12th February 2004
Page 47
Page 47, 12th February 2004 — THE ALTERNATIVE VIEW
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We don't claim to know everything...

Humour has ii that CM's operations team can be prone to questionable opinions once every decade or so. So just to remind us that we don't know everything, our friends at Truckstar magazine drafted professionals with medic (seat comfort, driving position). design (ergonomics) and fabrics/upholstery (mattress and seat material quality) expertise to offer some informed opinions on the state of modern sleeper cabs.

When it came to sleeping accommodation the experts identified the MAN, Daf and Mercedes as the front-runners, The MAN in particular scored highly for its use of a wooden lattice frame to support the mattress — a first in this application and something for the other manufacturers to take note of.

In the mattress stakes it was concluded that all the candidates could improve on their offerings. The Daf scored the highest despite being the shortest in the group. Mercedes, with its MegaSpace cab. was commended for the quality of its second bunk, as was the Scania. Bringing up the rear was the Volvo, with its ultra-modern FH16, Mich was noted for having its mattress in an area more suited to a shelf than abed.

The general standard of seating seemed to fare better, with the experts being impressed by the range of adjustments and the width. Positioning of the drivers' seats in relation to the steering wheel was also commended and the general fit and finish was said to be better than expected. The specialists noted that lveco, with its Stralis. has come on leap and bounds compared with the EuroStar, and its cabin had plenty of space I move around in.

While the Renault Magnum may be one of the oldest vehicles in the test, it was commended for its fit and finish, and is the only cab where grey is completely absent. The MAN's finish did not impress; neither did the Scania; or the Dafs, which looked out of date and needed a makeover. Or a more positive note the Scania won the sound test, just ahead of the Daf, which woi the 'space factor test.

When all the information from the different experts was taken into consideration the MAN came out on top (one of our favourites, so we can b that far off the mark). Following closely behind where the Daf and Mercedes. So it seems we may know what were talking about after all_ sweet dreams.

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