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struiiii 11 1 1 'Mal ralin
Page 51
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'Magnum 480AML 6x2
Tester's impressios: Climbing into the Magnum is an unconventional exercise owing to the position of the steps, which are situated behind, rather than immediately below, the cab door. But once installed the truck's expansive interior immediately put us at ease. Renault was the first manufacturer to introduce a flat floor and it's nicely padded, too.
There are two inward-facing seats behind the driver and passenger seat. There's a table top secured to the wall between them which can be easily detached to form a useful table. This space feels like a miniature living room which will help a driver relax at the end of a stressful shift; the Magnum is also generously appointed with storage compartments.
The electrically-controlled roller blinds on the front and sides do a splendid job of blocking out unwanted light. With some soothing music playing from the speakers we prepare for bed. The bunk, which is secured with a strap to the back wall of the cab, is easily pulled down; a handle attached to the ceiling makes access to the bunk a piece of cake.
A panel at the head of the bunk turns the stereo on and off, controls the night heater and opens or closes the sunroof. Just right for summer nights.
The heater is readily adjustable and it doesn't take long for the cab to warm up. There is a useful reading light up top and a small storage area at the head of the bunk -just the thing for depositing spectacles before nodding off.
Our only criticism of the Magnum is the lack of a harness, or at least a raised lip, to prevent falls from the bunk. For those of us prone to moving in our sleep this could be a problem. Plummeting temperatures, and the call of nature, awoke us in the early hours. A quick twist of the switch and heat soon flooded into the cab. The heater emitted a (frankly unavoidable) hum, but there was none of that annoying oscillation which could have wrecked a solid night's sleep.
With the screens down and the Magnum's creature comforts at our disposal, the freezing wastes of MIRA's test track could have been a million miles away. In the morning we awoke refreshed, jumped down from the bunk and took fresh milk from the fridge, which is tucked away behind the passenger seat. Minutes later, the (sadly non-standard) coffee machine had done its job. Our first caffeine hit of the day. Marvellous.