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DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

14th June 2001, Page 15
14th June 2001
Page 15
Page 15, 14th June 2001 — DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
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The EuroStar is familiar enough, and there's little to say about the cab or ergonomics. We can simply confirm that the new engine Is quiet enough to make you more _.. aware of wind noise.

The torque spread from the Cursor 13 is truly impressive, though it tends to be disguised by the competence of the automatic box. Useful torque begins at 900rpm and doesn't let up until more than 1,500rpm—beyond the green band—so gear changing can be kept to a minimum.

On the rolling motorways north of Turin, heading towards Aosta, Mont Blanc and the St Bernard Pass, it was rarely necessary to drop more than a half gear—just a short pull back on the EuroTronic shift lever or a flick of the manual's splitter did the trick, even at a full 40 tonnes.

The engine brake undoubtedly works effectively, and it's well integrated with the cruise control, but don't try the Intarder unless you really need it: you'll be left wondering how you ever did without it!

The cruise control soon becomes indispensable too: it responds rapidly to changes of speed, and you can shift the EuroIronic up and down without affecting its settings.

However, the EuroStar's ergonomics are not perfect. The engine brake control is far from obvious in the way it works, while the Intarder lever is a stretch from the steering wheel.

Of course you can second-guess the EuroTronic's brain (shifting up early as you approach a hill would do it), but it will shift back to its preferred gear by default after five seconds. You can shift and then press the function button (bringing it back into manual mode), but remember to press it again once conditions are more consistent.

In fact, on more demanding hills a number of drivers found that EuroIronic did everything they expected—the mark of a really well set-up system.

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Locations: Turin

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