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Tester's impression: Cards - on - table time: we didn't think we'd like this
Page 55
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P-cab 6x4 rigid, not normally being fans of Scania's characteristic 'enclosed' driving position. A five-cylinder engine didn't bode well either. Which just goes to show how wrong you can be, even after nearly 30 years behind various truck steering wheels.
The first revelation was the engine — very torquey and incredibly quiet. This 310hp, 8.9-litre diesel (currently Euro-3 but it will go to Euro-4) hung on gamely on the hill climb at 1,100rpm in sixth and pulled smoothly back from 800rpm (below the green band) in the same gear on roundabouts.
As long as the truck is moving, even at little more than walking space, fifth gear is sufficient to pull away fully loaded.
The little gear lever sits very snugly by the driver's left thigh and although the throw is commendably short the gate is extremely tight, much more akin to a car's transmission than a truck's. Some testers find the four-over-four shift (the range change is on a switch) slow but after a few miles it encourages a relaxed, anticipatory driving style.
The top two inches of brake pedal movement operate the exhaust brake and with revs in the blue band at around 2,000rpm this functions well to trim the sails and save wear on the highly effective service brakes —discs on each axle with ABS as standard, just like the Axor.
Scania's latest version of the P-cab has (a little) more room than its predecessor, crucially round the driver's left foot. The cab won't be to everyone's taste; its high dog kennel and wrap-round fascia, even in the short version fitted here, create a very enclosed working environment. Fortunately there's plenty of storage and hanging space, including a cup holder, map pockets on the door and small lockers above the windscreen. Profiled window apertures mean the glass doesn't go all the way down —a pain for those who like to suntan their elbows — but we did appreciate the reversing camera screen fitted into the driver's side flip-down sun visor. The camera comes on as soon as reverse is engaged and the screen can be adjusted for contrast and brightness.
The low cab mounting means one step less to climb and easier access for drivers on short runs as well as a weight saving compared with the larger Rcab which can also be specified on this chassis.
Our test vehicle had a standard cooking specification so items such as air-con would be an extra-cost option. The frontview mirror is now fitted to all but Tophne Scanias: as are the slightly annoying red seat belts which are evidently fitted to let the cops see you're wearing one. Scania's Opticruise gearbox can be specified; an important option as semi-automatics are just beginning to make inroads into the mechanically conservative tipper sector.
Good lock, compact dimensions and a reputation for diamond-hard residuals should commend this little tipper to owner-drivers and operators who are looking for a premium motor.
While the Mercedes felt well built this Scania felt well engineered.