AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Renault's disc brakes are real show-stoppers

23rd April 1983, Page 30
23rd April 1983
Page 30
Page 32
Page 30, 23rd April 1983 — Renault's disc brakes are real show-stoppers
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

RVI surprised by being the first to fit mediumweight lorries with ventilated disc brakes on the front axle. lveco chose to concentrate mainly on customer service back-up. Bedford introduced its 8.2 litre Blue Series diesel engine. Bill Brock reviews the show

AT THE TURIN show this week, price discounting was a major topic of discussion. Giorgio Manina, head of Iveco, said that last year was marked by absurd discounts.

The degree to which individual manufacturers become involved in this practice depends on the importance of the market place. In Britain, for example, lveco would find it much less of a financial strain to offer attractive deals with a small market sector than on home ground in Italy where it claims a 48 per cent share for 1982, having sold 111,000 units.

Nearly all of the manufacturers would like to be released from the price war. They contend that vehicle life costs are what counts, as initial purchase price accounts for only 15 per cent of total running costs if taken over five to six years.

That is why this year, with no major new vehicle to show, lveco concentrated mainly on customer service back-up. The services range from easy credit terms to freephone break-down call out.

Pride of place on the largest stand went to lveco's powerful flagship, the 190-38.1t was adorned with many of the extras available with this model but offered here on a single package as a limited edition production run. The extras include items such as air conditioning and airflow equipment (described in more detail on page 54).

At the lightest end of the range, the introduction of the Ducat° is largely responsible for Fiat's increased penetration of the domestic commercial vehicle market. The high-roof long-wheel-based version of this 1.5-tonne panel van, powered by a 53kW (71bhp) 2.55-litre engine, gives a payload of 0.91 tonnes.

Environmentally conscious operators will be interested in the development of the E2 Daily, which is available either in chassis/cab, van or mini-bus derivates. The van gives a payload of about 700kg but the batteries encrouch onto the load areas. It has a top speed of 65km/h (40mph) and a range of 80km (50 miles). It costs quite a bit more than the conventional van but higher price can be offset by running costs throughout the vehicle's life.

The lveco 80.16 is a new offroad 4x4 vehicle that can be fitted with many types of equipment driven via pt-o from both the engine and gearbox. Built in left-hand drive form, it provides a two-seater forward control cab on a pressed steel frame. A gross operational weight of nine tonnes allows a body payload of 4.6 tonnes. The six-cylinder in-line 5.5litre turbocharged engine has a power output of 119kW (160bhp). Running on single 14.5 R20 tyres, the vehicle is equipped with double-reduction portal axles incorporating differential locks at the front and rear to give high ground clearance. The air/hydraulic brakes and a five-speed gearbox are used in conjunction with a final drive ratio of 1.64 to 1. Front-wheel drive can be engaged on the move.

Mercedes-Benz has a new lightweight tractive unit, the 1425S, suitable for operation at 32 tonnes.

A derated version of the V8, the 14.6-litre diesel engine produces 184kW (246bhp) at 2,300rpm, and maximum torque of 239Nm (176 lbft) at 1,200rpm. The double-H gearshift — now a standard feature on all premium tractive units — gives eight speeds, and there is a choice of five final-drive reduction ratios.

The chassis construction is similar to that of the 1625 medium-weight range, incorporating double U-sections tapered at the ends. The fifthwheel base-plate mounts directly onto brackets fixed to the side members.

The braking system has load sensing and automatic brake adjustment to reduce maintenance. Two wheelbase options offer steel parabolic rea springs on the 3.2m (10ft 6in) model or the choice of airsprings for the longer 3.6m (lift 93/4in) wheelbase tractive unit.

All three cab types — the standard (S), medium distance (M) and long distance (L) — incorporate substantial noise insulation in key areas and ignition key/steering wheel lock as standard.

One British firm that traditionally does well in Italy is Bedford. Over the past five year it has generated 127m of business.

This year at the show it introduced the 8.2-litre Blue series diesel engine. This gives the benefits of turbocharged power to medium weight vehicles, as in the TM 1700 chassis, which features the Fuller 609 nine-speed transmission.

For operation at Italian maximum weight the 4400 6x4 tractive unit, driven by the 298kW (400bhp) Detroit Diesel 8V-92T, provides power to spare complying with local 8bhp/ton requirements.

The TL is said to be selling well, and at the light end of the Bedford model range the 2.3litre diesel-engined CF, which has been a popular model, now offers over-drive and side loading door options to make it more effective in the face of increased domestic competition.

Daf has been in Italy for nine years and has a service network of 26 dealers and 58 workshops.

Of interest in the future to British operators was the 11.5tonne FA 1300 with a 111kW (151 bhp) turbocharged engine and Club of Four cab. It comes in the middle of the 9-15 tonne weight class (up to now available only in left-hand drive form) but, in-line for an up-date, the specification will be increased for the 16-ton operation with an rhd for the British market.

Volvo widens its participation in Italy with the introduction of both F6 and F10 models. Previously only F12, N12m and F7 models were available. However, bonneted models are not generally favoured, which explains the exhibit of an F12 6x4 rigid rated for operation at 33 tonne solo or 56 tonne gcw, with a turbocharged and intercooled 265kW (355bhp) 1530Nm (1,128 lbft) 11.9-litre engine and 12-speed gearbox intended for the construction and mining industry.

Renault Vehicles lndustriels displayed the first of a new range soon to be sold throughout Europe. This was the S130, which with a gvw of 11.5 tonne is specifically aimed at the Italian market though the range will also include the 8.5 tonne S90 and the S150 model. Both the S130 and 13 tonne S150 are the first mediumweight CVS to be fitted with ventilated disc brakes on the front axle.

The numerical designation relates to the bhp rating. At the top of the range, and the only one with pneumatic brakes, is the S170 derived from the MS200. This was produced for North America under the Mack banner and was first seen at the Paris show with charge-cooled and turbocharged engine.

Just for Turin and the Australian market, Renault outclassed Iveco, for a show piece with the Savana R360T 6x4 23.6-tonne tractive unit, rated for 56 tonne gvw and powered by a turbocharged engine rated at 263kW (352 bhp) and 1,410N m (1,039 lbft) of torque.

Tags

Organisations: Club of Four
Locations: Paris, TURIN

comments powered by Disqus