NEC premiere for AE heavy...
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• Renault has chosen the Birmingham Motor Show for the world premiere of its new supertruck range (CM 31 May6 June). The AE is the first production tractive unit to offer more than 500hp. Its 16.4-litre vee-eight Mack EE9 turbocharged and charge-cooled engine is rated at 370kW (503hp) at 2,1001pm with 2,000Nin (1,47511bft) of torque at 1,200rpm. Renault's B9 nine-speed synchromesh rangechange transmission has been strengthened to withstand the increased torque.
The vehicle's design concept is to streamline the front of the semi-trailer bodywork. The result is that its large, two-bunk cab module, with a flat floor, mounted on four-point air suspension above the engine, is considerably taller than any other on the market.
The show model includes a number of unusual features such as an on-board computer controlling the air-conditioning, electronic cab tilt, refrigerator and more storage space than the average family saloon car.
Other exhibits will include recent additions to the Midliner G and R ranges.
The 8x4 tipper chasis, with an uprated version of the turbocharged and intercooled 9.8litre engine, ranges from the G290 to the G330-30D, with an unladen weight of 11 tonnes. The R380, 38-tonne tractive unit is equipped with a new aerodynamic package and Girling front axle disc brakes.