New models on parade at Frankfur
Page 59
Page 60
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
IN THE 1977 calender for commercial vehicle exhibitions, the "big one" is Frankfurt. Held on alternate years to its British counterpart the German show openDd to the public yesterday.
Traditionally, a show used to display new models, this year is io exception with major anlouncements from Volvo with ts new range of F10 and F12 machines and the new 2100 'rom DAF.
British participation, as far as -...omplete vehicles are concernad, is rather thin on the ground, 3Ithough there is more interest ;hown by the component manufacturers.
rurbocharged
DAF's new lightweight 2100 s at Frankfurt with two types of mgine. The DH 825 engine is iaturally aspirated, and produ ces 112kW (152bhp), while the DHR version is turbocharged to give 150kW (204bhp). The F220 cab, first seen on the 2300 model at Earls Court last year, is featured on the 2100 and is on show in sleeper and short cab versions.
Other new models being introduced by the Eindhoven company in Germany are an extension to the 2300 series with 4 x 2 and 6 x 4 rigids now being available. They both use the same 170kW (230bhp) DAF DHU 825 engine as the 2300 tractive unit lhe top weight 2800 tractive unit is basically unchanged, although several new options are now available, including a lockable mechanical differential and a hydraulic torque converter.
Six Transits
Ford does quite well saleswise in Germany and this is reflected in the number of Fords at the show. There are no less than six Transits at Frankfurt including one specially converted for firefighting.
At the heavyweight end of the Ford range, are three Transcontinentals with one example, a 6 x 2 rigid, featuring air suspension — always a popular option for the German market. The other rigid is a 4 x 2 with tilt bodywork with a 4 x2 tractive unit rounding off the Transcontinental exhibits.
The only newcomer on the Ford stand is a van version of the Fiesta.
Three engines
Available with a choice of three different engines, the new model has a payload capacity of 300kg (6cwt). The load compartment floor of the Fiesta has a maximum length of 1.35m (4ft 5in) and a width of 1.28m (4ft 2in) giving a load capacity of 1.2cum (43cuft).
There is a choice of three different engines — 957cc (58 cuin) with either high or low compression ratio and a 1,117cc (68 cu in) unit, which produces 39kW (53bhp) to the DIN rating. This front-wheeldrive Ford features a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox.
The Fiesta will go on sale in Germany, France, Italy and Spain later in the year. As yet, Ford has no plans for marketing the vehicle in the UK.
Long haul Rolls
Indicating the increased involvement of Rolls-Royce in the European market is the presence of a turbocharged Eagle 320 Mk III on the stand of Westa Internationale Motorentiele Wetzel und Staub, the Frankfurt-based company which represents Rolls-Royce in the Federal Republic. The 320 was developed specifically for the long-haul European operator and is rated at 239kW (320 bhp) at 2,100rpm (DIN) with a maximum torque of 1,200Nm (885 lbft) at 1,300rpm.
As you would expect at the Frankfurt show there is a large German contingent. On the MAN stand is a new cross-country vehicle with all wheel-drive and single tyres. The frame is made from low torsion box-section side-members with welded tubular cross-members. The axles are fitted with progressively acting coil springs and located by suspension arms in the same way as air suspension. This new machine is available as a two-axle or three-axle model to carry a six or 10-ton payload.
Air option
The MAN /BOssing range of under-floor engined lorries has been extended with the addition of a 14-ton gross model, the 14-192U. The show model has air suspension on the rear axle only, although full air suspension is available as an option. Still on the Unterflur models, the range also includes a 40-ton three-axle model for gross weights of up to 160 tonnes.
On the bus side, there are several models at Frankfurt in the SR240/SR280 series with the type number indicating the horsepower. A great deal of interest has been expressed recently in articulated buses and the MAN version at Frankfurt will seat 80 and is powered by a 179kW (240bhp) engine.
Air suspension also makes an appearance on the Magirus Deutz stand at Frankfurt. The 320 M16 FLL is shown with a "Fernfahrerhaus" commonly known as a sleeper cab on a 5m (16ft 5in) wheelbase chassis.
Bus range
There is a Magirus to suit all tastes at Frankfurt with power outputs ranging from around 90 to around 320 bhp in rigid and tractive unit chassis. As a result of the IVECO product integration, there is a new range of buses at Frankfurt in 10 and 12m (32ft 10in and 39ft 3in) form powered by the same air-cooled V8 engine which is fitted to the Magirus eightwheeler in the UK. The smaller am (26ft 3in) chassis is fitted with the in-line six-cylinder engine which produces 97kW (130bhp).
One of the more unusual exhibits on the Bedford stand is a GMC General normal control 6 x 4 tractive unit. The power unit is a Detroit Diesel 8V 92 TT which delivers around 280kW (375bhp) DIN.
The cab is of all-welded aluminium construction and the facia has a wood grain finish which, according to Bedford, is "typical of the kind of vehicle used on the West Coast of America. It has been p ated or 38-42 tons gcw, but it can be used up to 50 tons gross in specific circumstances.
Bedfords muscle in
The TM Bedfords are at Frankfurt in force with the top of the range TM 3800 tractive unit exhibited in two-axle form with a full width short cab. This machine uses the 8V-71 engine like the TM 1900 rigid which is plated for 40 tons gtw. A sleeper cab is fitted to the Frankfurt exhibit.
The smaller 6V-71 twostroke Detroit Diesel is used for the Bedford six-wheeler which is plated for 22.5 tons gvw. Regrettably, there are no vehicles from British Leyland, Seddon Atkinson, ERF or Foden at Frankfurt, but on the component side, Rubery Owen i's there with axles from Rubery Owen-Rockwell and cabs from Motor Panels (Coventry) Ltd.
RO-R is showing a selection from its range of running gear and associated equipment. This includes trailer axles for payloads of between 8 and 14 tons and the Anchorlok spring brake.
Focus on Scania
Major item of interest on the Scania stand is a 141 powered by the latest low-speed 14-litre engine used with an extra high axle ratio of 3.88 to 1 which allows the vehicle to be driven at lower engine speeds for the same road speed.
The high torque (1,400Nm or 1,030Ibft) developed by the engine is intended to reduce the frequency of gear changing. Scania claims that the low engine speed has permitted an in-cab noise level of 72-75 dB (a) to be achieved.
Our big show issue appears next week and the show closes on September 25.