Optitronic thinking
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The Optitronic gearbox is now available in the Midlum, which is why we grabbed the opportunity to spot some exotic wildlife as well as shift up and down the cogs...
Words/ ImagL,: olin Barnc Let it not be said that Commercial Motor isn't prepared to go the distance to bring you the best stories. During this First Drive, we drove past penguins, bison and wallabies, all courtesy of Whipsnade Zoo,
without straying, too far from Renault Truck's UK base at Dunstable.
Following on from the OptiDriver automated manual transmission in its larger trucks. Renault now has the Optitronic available on the 7.5-tonne to 18-tonne Midlum range.
We have sampled the gearbox in a 12-tonne. 220hp Midlum. and also taken the opportunity for our first drive of the lightweight at Euro-5. The Optitronic comes with two torque ratings. The 6AS800 can be had with the 180hp engine at 7.5-tonnes to 14 tonnes and 220hp to 16 tonnes. while the 6AS1000 is available with 270hp and 300hp engines from 14 tonnes to 18 tonnes. In theory. the Optitronic box is a £1,725 option on the Midlum. but is currently subject to an open-ended introductory price of il.The Midlum drivelines are similar to those in the Volvo FL — not surprising as the two vehicles are fundamentally the same. The difference is that both brands provide their own calibration of various aspects, including the transmission-control software. Although the Optitronic is actually slightly heavier than the corresponding manual, the absence of the clutch pedal means the installation is a few kilos lighter overall.
The test truck came with the Global Night cab effectively a day cab, lengthened by 500mm and fitted with a bask fold-up bunk. It provides adequate space for the occasional night out. but it also provides masses of storage and resting space for day work.
It had the basic Alliance trim level, hut that still includes plenty of toys as standard, including a night heater in Global Night form. We mentioned the different calibrations from Volvo, with reason. One of our key complaints when we drove an FL was how hard the front suspension was. The Midlum has no such issues, its ride is pleasantly compliant when tackling pot-hol with only the worst defects jarring. The downside is a little bounce on large, lowfrequency undulations, a small price to pay on today's roads. Otherwise, the driving experience is unremarkably competent.
Smooth and well-timed
lb drive, you negotiate the same columnmounted controller as in all Renault trucks including the Magnum. Twist the column stalk from N to D, press the pedal and off y go. Changes between the six ratios are smooth and well-timed, with little to be gained by trying to second-guess the systen in manual mode. Between thinking about i. and actually moving your hand, you invariably find it has changed for itself. If you ins: lifting the stalk toggles between auto and manual, and moving the stalk fore and aft changes up and down.
A second twist control engages crawler or reverse. Crawler, really a manoeuvring mode, provides the same ratio, but with throttle response modified for fine control. When manoeuvring, flick the stalk up ti instantly toggle between forward and reverse. There is power mode, engaged I throttle pedal kickdown, but it's hardly worth bothering. The 220hp engine is perfectly willing and able to lug down. climbing hills on part throttle, but toughi operations could benefit from going up the next rating.
Unlike some small autos, Optitronic responds well to sudden changes of mil for power delivery. IN