Kevin Swallow
Page 27
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There is no doubt that YJ08 HBD is a soughtafter vehicle. With its 10.3-litre Euro-5 driveline, it meets all the current emission levels, making it a ‘go anywhere’ truck. Paying £38,950 for a three-year-old Iveco Stralis is about right – it’ll ensure a bun fight between hauliers that will probably force the value up. Also, it’s not so overpriced to force anyone to look at new rolling stock as an alternative. There's also a strong specification to back up the ‘go anywhere’ driveline and its price tag. The truck has enough horsepower and torque to tramp across the UK and deliver decent fuel economy. What stood out for us was the quick and responsive transmission under pressure, a resilient torque that digs in well on hill climbs, and the twin-steer specification that allows the truck to go where the driver wants it to on winding roads, rather than a fixed mid-axle that fights any turn left or right. This is topped off with a large interior with a smartly designed passenger seat-cum-bottom-bunk. The fridge, the fold-down table from the centre section of the lower bunk, and space to move between the centre to the nearside footwell is a rare combination these days. The only problem CM envisages is supply meeting demand.