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Renault builds now for the next century
Page 21
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RENAULT Vehicules Industriels has completed the first phase of its Virages research project and built a full scale experimental articulated vehicle designated VE Virages is a seven-year research programme begun in 1981 and half funded by the French Government.
Its prime objectives are to investigate energy saving, safety and environmental pro 1.,I ion features which might bc used on heavy trucks in the Year 2000.
VE10 is the first liall-scale prototype in the programme and comprises a 6x4 38 tonne G('W tractive unit powered by RVFs 1V111)R 06 20 45 turbocharged and charge-cooled, 235kW (3 20hp) engine, Coupled to a tandem axle box semi-trailer built by Ateliers Sainte C:atherine. The overall length of the complete VE10 combination is 16.7m.
Among its novel features are air-operated disc brakes on all tractive units axles, a microprocessor-based automatic shift system for the Renault 1318 geabox, a fourpoint air suspension system for the fixed cab, and side windows made of polycarbonate instead of' glass.
The drag coefficient of the complete combination is exceptionally low at 0.31.