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It's a drivers' delight...

14th October 2004
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Page 70, 14th October 2004 — It's a drivers' delight...
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CM tests more commercial vehicles than anyone else; now we're using our extensive database to help you search for the right vehicle. This week Product Focus concentrates on Scania.

Scania is all about desirability and they don't come more desirable than the mighty R164.We've put severa116-litre Toplines through their paces;here's a summary.

Vehicle: Scania R164 LA6x2/4NA 580 with Top line cab Tested: 5 October 2000 Specifications Engine: Scania DC16-01 (Euro-3) chargecooled, four-stroke turbo-diesel with EDCcontrolled unit iniectlon Power: 571hp (426kW) at 1,900rpm Torque: 2,700Nm between 1,100 and 1,200pm Transmission: GRS920 14-speed manual gearbox (range-change and splitter) with direct drive Terms of warranty: Two years Weight as tested: 41,000kg, including 8,929kg tractor, 7,000kg trailer, which offers 25,071kg payload Operational trial results (Scottish threeday test route): Average speed: 75.2km/h (46.7mph) Fuel consumption: 7.80mpg (36.2Iit/ 100km)

The lowdown

The big Scania delivered all we expected of it, and still offered some pleasant surprises.The engine was refined, the gear change straightforward and the fuel economy startling — particularly given its Euro-3 specification.

The cab was immensely comfortable and ergonomically sound, but spoilt by unimpressive quality control.

It serves its main purpose, which is to convince other drivers that you're the biggest, baddest driver on the road (at least until MAN's 700hp monster turns up in a couple of years' time).To say that this outfit is ready for 44 tonnes is an understatement: it's ready for anything. Vehicle: Scania R164 480 LA4x2/NA with Topline cab Tested:27 June 2002 Specifications Engine: Scania DC16-02 (Euro-3) V8 cylinder charge-cooed, four-stroke turbodiesel with EDC-controlled unit injection Power: 473hp (353kW) at 1,900rpm Torque: 2,300Nm between 1,100-1,200rpm Transmission: GRS900 14-speed manual gearbox (range-change and splitter) with direct drive Terms of warranty: Two years Weight tested: 40,000kg, including 7,786kg tractor and 7,000kg trailer, which offers 25,124kg payload Operational trial results (Scottish three-day route): Average speed: 74,4km/h (46.2mph) Fuel consumption: 7.59mpg (37.21it/100km)

The lowdown

On the face of it the 480 doesn't match the excellent value of the turbo-compound 470: it's heavier, more expensive and in most conditions its fuel consumption is not as good.After three years, its value has dropped to just £200 more than the 470 If you're operating on ordinary trunk routes most of the time, we'd have to say the 470 is the better buy. But it's equally true to say that the 480 is more than £3,700 cheaper than the mighty 580—and you lose precious little.

It retains the fantastically easy (almost gear-change free) driving of its big brother, as well as its peerless refinement. Its in-cab noise figures, in particular, were truly amazing. We still don't like that fake wood trim, though. •

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