Seddon Stratocruiser flies high
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by John Kendall • Seddon Atkinson has released more details of its flagship Stratocruiser tractive unit, which uses the Iveco EuroStar cab mated to Seddon's 4x2 and 6x2 tractor chassis.
Engine options will be Euro-2, Cummins only with all three variants of the N series engines on offer. In addition, the 340 and 380 Mll engines are likely to join the options list. There are no plans at this stage to offer the 12-litre Perkins Eagle Tx range.
Gearbox options will include the Eaton S-series 16-speed Synchrobox and Twin Splitter. A 3.21:1 final drive ratio will be standard for the Rockwell drive axle in the most powerful 17.525N 4x2 model. This will give a rolling gradeability of 65.8% at 38tonnes. Full details of 6x2 axle configurations have yet to be announced.
It is not clear how many of the three cab options will be offered, but the BWOC-liveried 525 seen at Truckfest South-West was fitted with the medium height sleeper cab, giving 2.0m standing headroom. It seems likely that the 2.5m tall "Alto" cab, offering 2.37m standing headroom will also be available.
Four-point cab air suspension is standard on EuroStars, so it's likely to be repeated on the Stratocruiser. Air conditioning, check system and trip computer are standard on the EuroStar and could form part of the Stratocruiser specification. The standard 4x2 Stratocruiser wheelbase will be 3.8m with an unladen frame height of 930mm measured at the rear axle.
Despite its appearance on the Seddon Atkinson stand at Truckfest SouthWest, the Stratocruiser is set to make its "official" debut at the Scottish IRTE Show in September.