Magnum facelift • The new-look Magnum has been given a
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softer look. Out goes the small Diamond badge, the right angles and straight lines and the square lights on the grille; in comes an angled grille sporting a "smile", a Diamond centrepiece and round all-in-one light assemblies. The panels have been rounded off and an air deflector has been added to the back of the cab. The air intake now sits at the front right-hand corner on left-hookers.
For UK operators the four interior-cab options will be a case of "look but don't touch". On the Contnent, operators of left-hand-drive Magnums can choose between the Dun Pack for double manning; the Storage Pack and Freedom Pack options for solo drivers; and the Classic Pack. Right-hand-drive Magnums will come with the standard cab and the Classic Pack, which comprises a top bunk on a storage chest and an adjustable passenger seat, or you can have a two-bunk version.
RVI's defence of the lack of choice in its UK range is that out of 7,000 Magnums produced annually no more than 200 are right hookers so the expense of the full options range cannot be justified. "If they want the extra options they must buy left-hand drive," says the RVi board. Renault Trucks UK adds that 25% of UK Magnums are specced as left-hookers for Continental work.
But despite the lack of choice for AHD operators, the interior is still impressive. The bulk of the wrap-round dashboard's hardware, including the tachograph, is mounted at knee height; the stalks control the more common functions. It will take us a little more time to explore the cab's multitude of storage points; suffice to say there's no shortage of space.
The driver's seat offers a huge range of adjustment positions and the gear-stick sports three arrows rather than the traditional four-over-four pattern. The whole gear number flashes up on the instrument panel with a small dash indication high or low range.
The cross-member and flywheel casing are now made of aluminium, which has helped the Magnum 2001 shed 51kg. Since 1990 some clever design work has cut its kerbweight by more than 450kg.
• Renault Trucks UK now has a 4x2 440hp Magnum on its demo fleet; CM will give you a full report as soon as we've taken it for a spin.