Rivals gather for BAEE
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• All three contenders for the MoD's 4-tonne medium mobility contract attended the Army's BAEE display at Aldershot last weekend.
AVVD-Bedford's ML 4/5tonne (depending on tyre size) 4x4 uses the familiar, but much-improved, M-type cab. Access for daily checks is now from the front and a 50° hand tilt allows more detailed work under the cab. Side panels are integral and this has enabled deep storage compartments to be built across the rear of the cab. The roof has been raised by 50-60mm and the windscreen is deeper.
There is a change from the existing M-type 4x4 driveline to the 108kW turbocharged Perkins Phaser engine and Spicer 15-350 five-speed synchro-box, while the AWDBedford transfer box and axles have been uprated.
The ML runs in rear-wheeldrive, normally with four high and low ratios, selected by pneumatic switches in the cab. In contrast, Leyland Daf s Roadrunner sleeper cab-based prototype uses a two-speed transfer box (built by Getrag to a Magirus Deutz design) that provides permanent fourwheel-drive.
With a shallow front bulkhead and the bunk taken away, the Roadrunner seems the roomiest of the three.
It is powered by the Cummins-built Leyland 108kW 300-series turbocharged diesel and has the Turner five-speed synchromesh box. Axles were developed at Leyland Dots Albion plant in Glasgow. Volvo's M6 4 x 4 also has its origins north of the border, having been developed by Volvo (GB) in Irvine, Ayrshire.
It is based on the FL6, but has lost its standard roof to fit into aircraft and instead has a flat, reinforced panel with cupola hatch.
The M6 has the 112kW TD61G turbocharged diesel unit, ZF S6-36 six-speed synchro main gearbox and a ZF two-speed transfer unit that has air-operated selector switches for 4x4 high and low ratios. Its axles are based on Rockwell 125C units.