i As a family grouping, 3.5 to 7.5-tonners tend to
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look like a Leyland Daf FA45,150 collection of Little and Large vehicles. At the bottom it can be represented by a trader's van; at the other end of the scale there are some extremely hefty integrals and heavy trucks. Add a 6.1m (20ft) high-volume body to one of the longer wheelbase 7.5-tonners and one can only wonder at the legislation that allows a car licence holder to drive one.
The brace of test vehicles under our scrutiny this year came from each end of the spectrum to make it more like a David (Renault B110-50) and Goliath (Leyland Oaf 45.1501 story, but with the wrong sort of ending.
Testers' Choice: Leyland Oaf FA45.150
hen Renault introduced its ''. B-range just over a year ago, the idea was a gentle phase-out of its venerable Dunstoble-built 50-Series range. Unfortunately, no one told the MoD, local authorities and public utilities, who still like the old timer, especially with its Perkins Phaser heart transplant. Last year, for example, nearly 70% of the 500 516-tonners sold by Renault happened to be 50-Series, but as for as the B-Series is concerned the situation is an improving one. Powered by the same Sofim turbo DI diesel as the smaller Master van and some Iveco and Fiat vans, its performance was crisp and fairly competitive.
Away from the motorways it was fuel efficient enough but lagged behind the Mercedes 410D and Turbo Daily 49.10 on average speeds.
While the B110-50 can carry a 2.42-tonne payload within it's cavernous 14m' integral body, it has to face some serious competition and is not helped by a price difference which is little short of breathtaking. At £24,065, it is over £6,000 more than the 4100, which has a bigger payload at only 4.6 tonnes GVW. The shorter 49.10 also shows a saving of £3,500 and carries 220kg more.
Among its own, the B-Series is about average but the other vehicle on our shortlist, Leyland Oaf's 45.150, is well ahead of its field. With exquisite timing the revised Roadrunner breezed on to our roadtest list, and around our route, just as Iveco Ford's new Cargo programme was getting under way. Extra power and torque from within its Cummins/ZF driveline combination, with smoother gearchanging helped produce a blistering performance, setting extremely high standards at 7.5 tonnes.
Complete with official drag-reducing kit, its economy was also on a par with the previous best of the Voilestreamlined Merc 814 which was our Testers' Choice last year.
The revised 45-Series cab is more comfortable and just as practical as before, with much better instrumentation to boot. In addition, it handled well and had responsive braking, supplemented by an excellent exhaust brake. There was, however, some body roll, and a fairly soft ride left us wondering why the stiffer parabolics and bigger anti-roll bars fitted to continental models are not used in the UK.
For those looking for a higher specification there is optional Category 1 ABS and Daf's ECAS rear air suspension, but they cost extra.
Not surprisingly, therefore, the 45,150 is our winner this year, albeit a pricey one, At £24,000 it is nearly £2,400 dearer than a MAN 8.150F and £1,500 more than a Merc 814. But it still represents good value for money.