TRACTIVE UNITS
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(Over 400hp)
Winner:
ERF EC14.52ST Olympic
Other contenders:
Iveco Ford EuroTech 400E42 Iveco Ford EuroStar 520 MAN 18.463 Roadhaus Renault Magnum AE420ti Scania 143-420
0 ur testers had an excellent year lording it over mere mortals in no less than six tractive units of 400hp and above. Iveco Ford put up a EuroTech 4.00E42 and a Eurostar 520, Scania offered an R143-420 and Renault a Magnum AE420ti, while MAN and ERE each put in a Euro-2 vehicle (18.463 Roadhaus and Olympic EC14.52ST).
Proving that big horsepower and Euro-2 do not preclude decent fuel consumption, the MAN beat the rest at just under 8mpg. Runner-up was ERF which was also the bridesmaid in the payload stakes (23.69 tonnes)—only the EuroTech did better at 23.77 tonnes.
Two of the contenders had more than 500hp on tap, but the ERF turned it into real speed, at an average 2km/h faster than the rest. To ease the deliberations, we cut the list down to four on the basis of productivity: the EuroTech and Scania 143.420 didn't survive the cut.
As far as fleet appeal goes, Renault's parts prices score well but its contract maintenance is expensive. The MAN 18.463 has the lowest list price and spends the shortest time in the workshop but there are only 29 dealers around the UK.
When it comes to ride and handling, our testers were impressed by all the contestants with top marks being awarded to the fully airsuspended EuroStar. Renault's AE also scored well, nosing ahead of the MAN while ERF brought up the rear.
The AE carried off the top marks for driver appeal, followed by the big MAN Roadhaus. The ERE was close behind but, for a big cab, we didn't consider the EuroStar Alto that roomy.
The Renault's TBV gearchange and the (standard) SAMT box in the Eurostar were both thought to be a step forward. The AE's unusual (if now a little dated) cab and Cummins' Road Relay in the ERF were also worth credit.
There was little to choose between the contenders on safety grounds: the ERF was the only vehicle without disc brakes, but it has a Jake Brake as standard.
At the end of a very closely contested section, it was the big, black ERF that carried the day.