gearbox while the 6_354.4 has a five-speed with two-speed rear
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
axle. The fourth option under offer is, strangely. the naturally aspirated Fiat 8360.05. This, says Dennis, fills the gap for those British operators requiring a naturally aspirated unit.
Its 8.1 litres puts out 165bhp at 2600rpm which makes it midway between the two higher-power Perkins units.
Dennis laid on a T6.354.4 engined Delta for a test drive and the lorry was loaded to its maximum gvw.
My first impression was that the gearbox steps — it's a sixspeed overdrive box — were a little too far apart. Pulling away in second, the change to third 'brought on a distinct sound of struggle from the lorry even though I'd taken it up to what I thought was maximum revs — in fact there is no rev counter and the interior noise level is relatively low — around 74dBA, says Dennis, at half throttle.
But it was generally easy enough to get the lorry along at a good pace and it was pleasant to drive. The steering is both light yet sensitive, and the controls and pedals are very well placed and car-like in their operation.
The table below shows the wheelbase options and prices for the Delta, but a host of optional equipment, including an Allison Automatic transmission can be specified.