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RIGID & DISTRIBUTION VEHICLES
Page 40
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TESTER'S CHOICE: DAF LF55.220 Highly Commended: Iveco Eurocargo Shortlisted: Scania P114 CB8x4HZ 380. Volvo FM9 380 8x4
This category inevitably involves cornparing apples and pears. Sadly for our friends at DaimlerChrysler. neither of its representatives makes the shortlist in this class, although the Merc A tego urban artic was only discarded owing to its status as a proof of concept.
Unusually, we subjected only one 7.5-tonner to a full test, and the Mitsubishi Canter was not without its virtues, especially if you're looking for that last kilo of payload. Unfortunately, its relative lack of power saw it struggling to get within reach of the level of fuel economy we've come to expect in this sector.
The fact that two 8x4 tippers made the shortlist but failed to progress beyond is not that we have anything against the breed. Scania's P114 380 does everything well but its unduly cosy supermarket-tractor cab left us thinking it could accommodate the driver more effectively.
What could have set new standards for productivity was let down by unhelpful specification and test conditions.The light weight potentially offered by the nine-litre Volvo FM9 was confounded by the steel muckaway body and appropriately sturdy suspension.
Our testers' doubts over the wisdom of a relatively small engine in such a challenging application remained unanswered.
The newest contender in this section is the Iveco Eurocargo, which we tested as an Italian-spec 12-tonner. Despite not having been as carefully run in as most of our heavier test vehicles, the Iveco set a new class record, Like the Strati& the new Eurocargo is a thorough re-skinning on the existing frame; but while undoubtedly a great improvement it doesn't move the game on in the same way. Advances in dynamic behaviour and seat comfort still need to be matched by noise levels and dash finish.
There's a school of thought that says that as the pool of car drivers able to drive 7,5tonners diminishes, the attraction of bigger four-wheelers will increase. If they're all as good as Dais 18-tonner we need not fear the trend.The LF55 220 combined record-breaking economy. generous payload ability and class-leading interior quality to such an extent that there really was no question of where this category's top honour would settle. •