Berliet diesels for Saviem trucks?
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by Paul Brockington
ONE of the results of the 'merger' of Berliet and Saviem and incorporation of Berliet in the State-owned
Regie-Renault organization could well be the eventual replacement of MAN engines by Berliet diesels in Saviem trucks, according to Mr J. P. Nivollet, chief engineer of Berliet (UK) Citax Ltd, 805 Great Western Trading Estate, Park Royal Road, London NWIO 7LX.
The Berliet range of diesels includes four-, fiveand six-cylinder in-line units with ' outputs of 92 kW (123 bhp) to 180 kW (241 bhp) and a number of V8s. At the upper end of the range these comprise a naturally-aspirated unit having an output of 224 kW (300 bhp) which was exhibited for the first time at the Paris Show.
A comparison may be made between the naturallyaspirated version and the MAN 213kW (285 bhp) diesel which is said to be suitable for the type of Saviem truck being marketed in this country, the standard MAN diesel of this model being rated at 151 kW (202 bhp) Another new diesel in the Berliet range displayed in Paris develops 149 kW (200 bhp).
For the time being Berliet will concentrate marketing in the UK on the TR280 tractive unit equipped with the MDS063540 12.02-litre diesel, which develops its peak output of 180 kW at 1800 rpm and is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 2200 rpm with its power reduced to 1 6 6 kW (223 bhp).
There is therefore an initial increase in power if the vehicle is operating at its maximum road speed in any gear and drag is increased by a gradient or a high wind;, Berliet considers that the unit is ideal for operation in this country, notably for vehicles engaged on crosscountry work, because this characteristic reduces gear changing and wear and tear on the engine and transmission.
Two Berliet TR320 tractive units are in service in the UK (with different operators) and this model is basically similar to the TR280 apart from the V8 engine which is a naturallyaspirated version of the type mentioned (the V8M 1V083530) and is considered preferable for long-distance running at sustained high speeds on motorways or the equivalent.
Whether or not tractive units powered by this engine, or a turbocharged version will later be made available in the UK as standard imported models depends on demand. Currently, TR280 tractive units with left-hand drive are more freely available than right-hand-drive models.
Berliet claims that the 180 kW diesel is becoming increasingly popular in France for both road and site work. Consideration is being given to importing the GBH280 6 x 4 three-axle site vehicle which is rated at 30
tOnnes gvw. Like the TR280 and the TR320 it is equipped with a ZF gearbox having eight speeds plus a crawler gear.
The Garrett AiResearch turbocharger of the 180kW diesel is used with a special type of pump-rack regulating mechanism which automatically matches the output of the pump to turbocharger output to provide a falling-torque engine characteristic. This incorporates a diaphragm System controlled by boost pressure and a mechanically-driven centrifugal governor which reduces pump output at higher speeds.