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idliner to the rescue
Page 18
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• Speculation that Volvo is to buy into Renault remains unconfirmed although the companies have been negotiating over common sourcing of components.
Volvo and Renault successfully cooperated in the '70s to design and produce a middleweight truck cab. Until 1985 Renault held a 9% stake in Volvo's car operation but to overcome short-term financial problems, resold the holding to the Swedish company.
Renault, the world's third largest truck builder says it is now profitable in all its European truck plants except Dunstable, where it says it has a long-term commitment because the British market is "too big to ignore".
The company plans to revive its fortunes in the UK with the introduction of Midliner, the replacement for the Commando, which dates back to 1974.
Important category
The Midliner covers the 6.5to 13-tonne weight range which accounts for about 26,000 registrations — about 40% of the UK market. Within this group the 7.5-tonner forms the most important category, accounting for almost 30% of the total UK market with nearly 19,000 registrations last year.
The range falls into two groups: S models from 6.5 to 10 tonnes and M models from 11.5 to 13 tonnes GVW. De sign has been modified for British operation and thanks to E2 million investment in tooling, manufacturing and engineering, the vehicles will be assembled at Dunstable.
The original "Club of Four" cab, retained only by Renault, has been given a new floor pan to provide more foot room and, with the lower engine cowl, a dual passenger seat can be fitted. Revised gear linkage allows better cross-cab access and the doors have been made to open 90°. External SMC grille, bumper wings and air deflectors combine to give a lightweight and corrosion-free facelift to the day cab. A highroof sleeper version is available on all models.
The vehicle is highly specified and includes much equipment offered only as an option by other manufacturers in this weight range. As standard, Renault has included a rev counter, battery isolation switch and, for Renault-powered models, an exhaust brake.
The chassis is suspended on parabolic springs with anti-roll bars front and rear. On all but tipper models the flat-topped chassis rails are fitted with body mounting brackets and rear under-run bars.
Power steering Integral power steering is included on all models and lowprofile tyres are recommended across the range.
On S models, four-wheel base dimensions from 3.24 to 5.05m and six M range wheelbases from 3.0 to 5.47m, provide for respective body lengths of 7.31 and 7.92m (24ft and 261t) while plated axle weights offer loading tolerances of up to 1.5 tonnes.
The Perkins Phaser 125 naturally-aspirated engine is offered as an alternative to the Renault unit rated at 89.5kW (120hp) while Renault power gives a choice of 103 and 117kW (140 and 160hp) in turbocharged form and 149kW (200hp) with charge cooling, matched to fiveand six-spe transmissions and a range o rear axle ratios to suit a var ty of operations.
Driving impressions Our impressions formed dui a brief test run at 7.5 tonne that the 6-litre Perkins engi is well suited to local operat with either a box or tipper body while the turbocharge( MIDS units provide sufficiei extra power for high-speed motorway operation.
Cross-cab access is easie than it first appears but can further improved by moving the gearlever into fourth.
Windscreen wiper arms N 600mm blades clear a large] area of the front screen tha those of the previous mode The wipers now clean abou 70% of the total.
Daily service points, for water and washer fluid, can reached easily at the rear o the cab but, if needed the c can be lifted with little effor with the help of the torsion assistance, to 520 of tilt.
Steering and pedal contr( are light to operate but bral are slow to respond and an posed hydraulic clutch pipe might be better protected i secluded beneath the ampk floor mat.
Following recent success aerodynamic design Besco developed a box body for ti Midliner which is said to re duce the drag coefficient to around 0.4 from the more mal 0.8, which could give g in fuel conservation of up b 20%.