If you want to see brand new trucks in Britain
Page 57
Page 58
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Cie AP' then Truckfest in Peterborough is the place to be next Sunday and Monday (3 and 4Agat reports Brian Weatherley.
Britain's premier trucking event has now become THE place where manufacturers unveil their latest models. For example, "In the Beginning", Foden's new Alpha, will be making its debut there. The Sandbach-based truck maker has joined forces with its Paccar stablemate Daf to produce a range of heavy trucks from 17tonne rigids to top-weight artics. And they will have their first public outing at Peterborough.
The Alpha has the same all-steel cab as Daf's popular 75 and 85 Series, but with its own stylish exterior panels and the famous Foden "Kite" badge on the front. This doesn't mean the traditional Foden bespoke driveline virtues have been forgotten. There's a choice of proprietary power units from the Cummins B-Series and Mll to the new Caterpillar C10 10.3-litre straight six in the heavier models and the torquey Cat 3126 in the 17-tonner and 6x4. There'll be a full selection of Alpha models on show at Truckfest including fourwheelers, mixers, tippers and tractors.
Maintaining the family connection, the main theme of Leyland Daf's stand will be its 95XF flagship tractor. There'll be at least 10 of them on show, along with an unusual 95XF drawbar and all will be in operator liveries. The 95XF, powered by Daf's own 12.6-litre, 24-valve six-pot, has delivered outstanding fuel economy around CM's Scottish test route in a 480hp 4x2. The other interesting piece of hardware will be the Daf/FINA racing truck and to tie-up with its US parent Paccar, there'll be a bonneted Peterbilt.
Down the road from Foden, arch-rival ERF has been enjoying success with its "Fuel Duel" campaign. The "other" truck maker from Sandbach will be showing a Caterpillarengined EC tractor for the first time in the UK. The 550hp Olympic-cabbed artic will be the centrepiece of its stand, provided by local dealer Sellars and Batty. The EC15C.55ST tractor has the Cat 3406E all-electronic 14.6litre engine coupled to a 16-speed Eaton synchro box. The smaller C12 Cat engine is also likely to make an appearance in an ERF before too long.
The famous yellow Cat engine isn't the first US-power unit to find its way into the EC range. ERF is also offering the Detroit Diesel and now has one of the most comprehensive engine options lists for a tractor sold in the UK Truck racing fans are in for a treat on the Mercedes-Benz stand. The first public showing in the UK of the latest Atego-cab based Mercedes racing truck is at Peterborough. The souped-up 4x2, with a 12-litre vee-six engine rated at around 1,200hp, is one of four Mercs which will compete in the European Super Truck Grand Prix in 1998. There will also be up to eight Actros tractors on show, including the fire-breathing 1857 Megaspace flagship artic.
On the Scania stand, fashion-conscious drivers can see a new range of clothing, revealed for the first time at Peterborough. When it comes to the hardware there's a new T-truck bonneted tractor—also seen for the first time at Truckfest. The T124-LA4x2 NA 400hp demo tractor, driven by Scania's own 12-litre engine, has been generating plenty of interest among UK tanker and tipper operators who The folks at Seddon Atkinson obviously aren't taking any chances with the weather this weekend. The Oldham manufacturer is showing a 26280C 6x4 day cab gritter/snowplough—and we might just need it! There'll also be a 23.380M high-roof sleeper tractor with a midlift axle and a 4x2 17.380M artic, again with the high roof. Both are powered by the popular Mll Cummins. Fellow Iveco group member Iveco Ford will have its own "star" line-up at Truckfest with no fewer than seven EuroStar tractors on show, including three 400E47 artics with Iveco's EuroTronic semi-automated gearshift system produced in association with ZF.
MAN's Truckfest display is in conjunction with local dealer Meo & Pride of place on the Volvo stand is its American-made VN770 bonneted tractor supported by one of the limited edition FH12420 XL70 Globetrotter cab tractors built to celebrate Volvo's 70 years of truck making. The XL70 on show is one of only 800 which Volvo will produce and sell and has a limited edition yellow and black interior trim with birch inlay dash!
For real mudpluggers, however, there's a FL12 6x6 self-loading dump truck similar to those which Volvo is to supply to the British Army. A case of beauty and the beast?
Finally, Volvo's sales and marketing tie-up with Mitsubishi is highlighted by the presence of two new Canter light middleweights.
So if it's new trucks you want to see, make sure you make it to Truckfest.