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• The pursuit of power has gripped truck makers since

25th October 1990
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Page 26, 25th October 1990 — • The pursuit of power has gripped truck makers since
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the eighties. We haven't seen the last of it yet, but as pressure builds for progressively tighter emission controls, the pursuit of power will surely give way to the pursuit of purity.

Recent rocketing fuel costs, fired by the Gulf Crisis, are a sharp reminder to an already hard-pressed industry that fuel consumption is a significant factor in haulage costs. As we have commented in previous road tests, the improvements in engine efficiency which have accompanied increases in power cannot continue inde finitely. Add-on emission-control devices may adversely affect fuel consumption, and vehicle designers will be looking even more closely at possible ways to make improvements.

Aerodynamics offer obvious scope for improvement. Artics pose particular problems where the same tractor might pull a variety of trailers, and fixed aerodynamic aids offer a poor compromise.

Box-bodied rigids, however, are comparatively straightforward: fixed vehicle dimensions mean that airflow can be optimised more easily. This week we test a Mercedes-Benz 814 fitted with a Vaile box body and "Stylemaster" kit. In all other respects, our little Mere is a standard 3.7mwheelbase 7.5-tonner; its only optional extra is a butterfly-valve exhaust brake.

The 814 is operated by Elan Parcels on contract hire from Salford Van Hire Contracts and Elan will be interested to see how our fuel figures compare with its own operational results. Running light, Elan is achieving about 15.6lit/100km (18.1mpg) with it, compared with 19.6liti100km (14.4mpg) from a standard box-bodied 814.

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