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H ' eying overcome the rather feeble door stops next to
Page 45
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useless on a windy expanse like MIRAwe start our cab tour in the driver's seat. Access to the off-duty quarters is aided by the swivelling gear console, although this action blocks access to the under-bJnk fridge drawer.
The passenger seat swivels through 90°, but the legs-extended posture that results from the 150mm floor hump might not be to everyone's taste. In 'awake but off-duty' mode the central section of the lower bunk folds tight against the rear wall and incorporates a drop-down table-top within a zipped section.
Sitting on the bunk section behind the driving seat leaves you ideally placed to watch TV on another drop-down shelf mounted on the nearside wall.
There's plenty of space, and the Stralis has more than enough storage space for most needs. For long-term storage of larger items look beneath the bunk, while five lined and lidded over-screen lockers look after medium-sized items, Lighter oddments can go in the net-fronted shelves that run above the doors, or on the smaller shelves in the bunk area. Above the central dash is a triangular tray and spectacle and cup holders.
There are 12V sockets on the dash and rear wall, and a cigar righter.
The curta ns are a mixed story. The main screen is covered by a powered roller blind, with conventional sliding curtains at the side. Individually they work well, but they could do with a more positive interface -even a few strips of Velcro would be better than nothing. Apart from at the joins, the curtains' opacity is excellent.
And so to bed. Having used the Stralis' downstairs facilities in a previous test, this time we moved into the attic. A ladder is hidden in another zipped compartment under the bunk, but even this 50-year-old managed to haul himself up thanks to a well placed grab rail on the roof and the merest hint of a step-up on the top of the dash.
A safety net lives in the centre of the top bunk, but the two supporting straps are quite enough to restrain the most determined somnambulist.
The upper bunk is split lengthways to aid storage, but this potential source of discomfort passed unnoticed. Apartfrom the wind whistling around the roof blade and the creak of cooling trim materials, the environment was conducive to an excellent night's sleep.
The night heater's temperature and timing are controlled by a panel high on the nearside rear wall, and the system works well.
This control panel also looks after the radio, interior lights, roof hatch. electric windows and blind, and central locking. Its location is convenient when you're lying in the top bunk, but otherwise the only way to reach it is by standing on the passenger seat. Iveco will relocate it downstairs on request for single-bunk operations.
Apart from sitting up to operate the controller, the only light easily available at night is the flexible reading lamp. If only we'd remembered a proper pillow, it would have been a perfect night's sleep.