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CV SHOW 2012

19th April 2012, Page 34
19th April 2012
Page 34
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Page 34, 19th April 2012 — CV SHOW 2012
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Who’s exhibiting at this year’s show?

The 2012 CV Show is almost upon us and, as always, there will be plenty to catch the eye. What can you expect from the show? CM reveals all

Words: Robin Meczes

THE BIG GUNS

Mercedes-Benz (stand 2C60) will be displaying its all-new Actros in both Euro-5 and Euro-6 versions.

Recently voted 2012 International Truck of the Year, the revised Actros has new cabs, engines, gearboxes, chassis and axles, and is the culmination of 10 years of development and 20 million kilometres of road testing.

A new special-edition TGX tractive unit called Corinthian5 will have pride of place at the

MAN stand (3A30).

Available in 4x2 and 6x2 versions, it incorporates a long list of safety systems including lane departure warning, electronic stability control and adaptive cruise control.

It also comes with an iPad2, satellite navigation, a fridge and a luxury leather interior.

PLETHORA OF PICK-UPS

Providing a further twist in the tale of the gradual inflow of Chinese manufacturers this year is Great Wall Motors (3A70), arriving in the UK pick-up market with the Steed.

The Steed comes in two versions, the S and SE, both doublecab vehicles with a 141hp two-litre diesel engine producing 305Nm of torque at 1,800rpm-2,800rpm, manual six-speed boxes and 1,380mm x 1,460mm x 480mm load space. They also have air conditioning, electric windows, leather upholstery, an Alpine CD/radio with USB/RDS and Bluetooth connectivity. The Steed is priced at £13,998. The more luxurious SE costs £2,000 extra, which buys you a rear cargo load liner, black roof rails, a bodycoloured load canopy and spoiler, and chrome side bars.

The Steed’s aggressive pricing brings it into direct competition with Isuzu (2H88), which will be showing off its all-new D-Max. Available from June, it comes in four different specification levels and three body configurations and is priced from £14,499.

Both will be seeking to give Ford’s all-new Ranger (1G50) a run for customers’ money. Priced from £15,515, the latest Ranger incorporates new engines, gearboxes, suspension, steering, brakes and chassis, and comes in three cab variants with 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains.

THE GREAT DATA DISPUTE

The ongoing battle between truck makers and telematics suppliers over vehicle telematics systems continues. The latest truck maker to offer its own system is Isuzu Truck (3A20), which will be launching I-Vision at this year’s event. Designed specifically for CVs, it includes standard vehicle tracking and two-way messaging and can also provide driving style and fuel consumption analysis as well as vehicle diagnostics.

Independent telematics suppliers aren’t ready to give up, however. Tracking systems supplier Trakm8 (3F50) is using the show to launch a new driver behaviour module for use in-cab with its T8 or T8 mini tracking units, while Tracker (3A10) will be showcasing its re-engineered Tracker Fleet system.

MiX Telematics (3B74), meanwhile, will be promoting two new partnerships with insurance broker Towergate and contract hire firm Euroway – and two new telematics packages based on these, which it says will “lower costs for all concerned”.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

CCTV, already a fact of everyday life in many public places, is fast encroaching into the vehicle space.

Combining onboard CCTV with the remote access offered by traditional telematics, the Global Live system from Cobra UK (2C91) allows operators to watch over their vehicles in real time.

Cameras are also the focus on the

SmartWitness stand (3C18), which

says its in-vehicle journey recorders can reduce both the number of accidents a fleet suffers and subsequent claims costs by up to 60%.

Reversing systems specialist Brigade

Electronics (3E60), meanwhile, will be

launching a new wireless camera monitor offering high-quality images without the use of suzie cables.

CONGESTION BUSTERS

Congestion seems likely to peak during the London Olympics, but Paragon (3G52) has a cunning plan: a major upgrade of its well-established routeing and scheduling software that includes map edits, filters and congestion profiles to help model and route vehicle movements during the games. The new version also includes an option to specifically target fleet reduction as a key cost-cutting objective.

Also helping to beat congestion are the latest crop of truck-specific satellite navigation systems. Garmin (3D81) and Snooper (3G22) both aim to steer LGVs away from low bridges and tight corners with their respective Dezl and S5000 Truckmate Pro devices.

RAISING VEHICLE UTILISATION

SDC Trailers (3A50) will be showcasing a 15.65m-long curtainsided double-decker with a self-tracking rear-steer axle in Norbert Dentressangle livery. SDC commercial director Paul Bratton says there has been a lot of interest in longer semi-trailers since the government’s decision last autumn to allow a 10-year trial of such vehicles, and that he is expecting even more at the show.

Given the extra volume, such trailers afford and the record diesel prices of late, we can’t argue with that.

REDUCING RISK

Raising safety and reducing risk remains as big a theme at the show as ever.

Alongside the wireless camera system already mentioned, Brigade Electronics (3E60) will be highlighting its new generation Sidescan system, which uses ultrasonic sensors to detect cyclists and pedestrians in a driver’s blindspots.

Fontaine (3C80), meanwhile, will be launching a sensoroperated fifth wheel that alerts drivers to any safety clip or handle displacement after coupling, as well as an airassisted fifth wheel that takes much of the effort out of handle operation.

Elsewhere, Allen Developments (3A03) is to showcase its Ground Access Rail, a sliding rail for the front of semitrailers that gives drivers access to all the connection points from ground level.

SOURCING MORE MOTION

Later this year new legislation will require a second source of motion to be included in digital tachographs to improve their security and prevent manipulation.

The updated SE5000 Exakt digital tachograph from Stoneridge (3D28) is one of the first models to comply and includes a range of features to help drivers manage their driving time more efficiently.

Time-keeping is also the main thrust at

Continental Automotive (3E31), which will be unveiling a new

range of Pro digital tachograph data management tools, alongside its tachographs and download devices.

LIGHTWEIGHT MANOEUVRES

Ford (1G50) will return to the show with a new version of the UK’s best-selling CV. The Transit Custom follows on from the recently revealed Tourneo Custom Concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, and is the first of two new Transit panel vans. This new 1-tonne capacity Transit model will be available as a low roof in short and medium wheelbase and will make use of the powertrains available in the Stage V models.

Kangoo ZE, the International Van of the Year 2012, will certainly be on the

Renault stand (1E10), while

Fiat has promised a new Punto van (1G20).

Nissan (3C30) is to provide an exclusive preview of its new NV400 chassis cab range, which includes mediumand long-wheelbase versions with frontand rear-wheel drive and a range of conversions.

TALK OF THE TOWN

The CV Show isn’t just about products – it’s also a vibrant talking shop covering the main issues of the day.

Bridgestone (3B40) will be running daily seminars on wheel security, the future of fuel efficiency, and saving money through improved tyre maintenance.

The Freight Transport Association (3C40), meanwhile, is to offer regular briefings throughout the show on changes to the OCRS system and managing transport during the Olympic Games.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Hall 2 at the CV Show will incorporate Workshop, the forum for those

working on CVs behind the scenes.

Among the 90-plus exhibitors, Eminox (2G21) will be highlighting the importance of regularly maintaining diesel particulate filters for compliance with the London Low Emission Zone and promoting the early warning indicators on its Continuously Regenerating Trap.

The all-new computerised Axis 4000 CV wheel alignment system will be drawing the crowds on the Haweka stand

(2E32). The company says it

can measure a twin-axle semi-trailer in just 10 minutes, thanks to its patented wheel clamps.

Over at Warwick Control (2C51), visitors can catch up with the

firm’s latest CAN Workshop Kits, which include cables and accessories for connecting to vehicles via their OBD port.

Enjoying its CV Show debut on the Eclipse Automotive

Diagnostics stand (2F20), meanwhile, will be a rugged PC tablet for

workshop use, the TestPad Extreme. Eclipse will also be showing off its new EDIS diagnostic system and the latest roll-around secure workstation cabinets.

Elsewhere, Texa (2D58) will be launching a new diagnostic platform, the AXONE 4, as well as its new TwinProbe oscilloscope; Somerstotalkare (2E50) will be displaying its S6ng and S6cf 7.5-tonne wireless column lifts; and automotive components supplier Valeo Service (2C59) will be showing off its extensive range, which includes clutch kits as well as thermal, lighting, braking, wiping, electrical, air quality and security systems.


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