Renault adds Maxie appeal
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• Renault Trucks this week added eight three-axled variants to the existing Manager, Major and Magnum tractive unit ranges in its effort to gain wider appeal in the UK heavy truck market.
Overall new registrations of trucks above 3.5 tonnes are still in decline, now 55% below 1989 levels. As only the tractive unit sector shows any sign of recovery Renault has chosen this time to introduce the new models at Dunstable. It is estimated that between 30 to 40% of the 38-tonne sector is made up of three-axled units.
The vehicles, built in France and completed at Dunstable, are designed to meet UK legislation, with plated drive axle weights of 10.17 tonnes and an 18,3tonne bogie or 25 tonnes under Special Types.
They will also meet increases in GVW up to 44 tonnes which are likely to come into force during the life of vehicles now being registered. There is a twin-steer Manager, two twinsteer, two tag-axle and a doubledrive Major and two tag-axle AE Magnums.
The 6x4 unit has steel-spring suspension for operation at 80 tonnes gross. All other models use air suspension at the rear.
Twin-steer models have an air dump facility to increase traction, and tag-axle models can raise them when the vehicle is running unladen.
All models use the Renault B 18 rangechange splitter synchromesh transmission. Renault's TBV computer-controlled transmission can be specified on the AE Magnum for about 0,000 extra.
Power options overlap the different models with both Manager and Major taking the 9.8litre in-line-six engine rated at 249kW (338hp), Major and Magnum both take the recently revised low emission 12-litre ACE (Advanced Combustion Engine) unit rated at 283kW (385hp) but only the AE Magnum is specified with the Mack 16.4litre V8 engine, offering 370kW (500hp). A 410kW (550hp) version is expected to become available from September, after the Paris Show.