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Hanover hit parade!
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Eurocombi takes two boxes
KAMAG'S EUROCOMBI is a Mercedes-Benz Atego-based vehicle designed for handling demountable container bodies from 7.1508,130rnm. Its lifting frame has a lowered height of 950mm, with a lifting range of 670mm. A hydrostatic transmission takes drive from the I34hp Mercedes engine to the rear wheels. Payload is 17.700kg at 25km/h or 12,200kg at 50km/h. It is also available with a fifth-wheel coupling.
SINCE OUR first-day taster of the new Tiirkish-built van range we've unearthed more details of its UK roll-out. One thing which is likely to change for this market is the Nissan-like Megastar name Pro Van is a possible alternative. The line-up will get its UK launch at the NEC CV Show in March 2005. after which it will go on sale immediately.As well as the panel van we've already seen it will include single and crew-cab pickups and various passenger versions. GVWs will run from 3,3005,500kg,with three wheelbase options.TheVM engine will be available at 110 or 130hp.
The British importer is considering various marketing and distribution strategies, but makes no secret of its intention to compete head-on with LDV's similarly-powered but, as yet unseen new range. BMC also displayed a 4x2 tractor unit, with Cummins ISL power. This is unlikely to reach the UK in the immediate future, but it will be offering a 6x4 construction chassis soon.
Trakker completes updates
IVECO HAS launched a 4x4 version of its Eurocargo, as well as an allnew Trakker to replace the Eurotrakker. This completes the revision of Iveco's range of vans and trucks.The 4x4 Eurocargo is aimed at construction and public utility companies which want all-terrain capability; it will be available at 10 and 14 tonnes. The 10-tonner is available with a six-litre engines producing 181hp or 210hp; the 14-tonner also has a six-litre engine, but rated at 240hp.The Trakker is based on the Stralis cab.
Allison products
ALLISON TRANSMISSION is restructuring its transmissions for all markets outside North America. The line-up will be known as International Models with four products, the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000, replacing the current range.
The major changes to the transmissions are in the control systems.A single electronic control module will serve the whole range; its enhanced computing abilities are expected to improve shift quality. It will also make installation easier and will integrate more effectively with EBS braking systems. Allison also promises an improved range of pushbutton and lever shift controllers.
Adios and Stralis compete for luxury buyers
MERCEDES HAS launched a "Black Edition" Actros tractor unit featuring a 605hp, Euro-3 version of its 15.9-litre VS — the first Merc running at more than 600hp. Only 250 will be built. A few will be released for sale in the UK, but only with lefthand drive. Based on the Megaspace cab, the Black Edition's distinctive styling includes a new grille and front apron with plenty of chrome and stainless steel trim. Inside, drivers will enjoy luxury trimmings Mercedes expects buyers to be owner-drivers looking for a distinctive truck — the same market lveco is aiming for with its Stralis Executive Space, which was also launched at the show. It's based on the Stralis Active Space but has also had the luxurytrim treatment, with leather seats, alloys and other goodies including a range of distinctive metallic colou rs.A limited number of 540hp Executive Space tractors will be available in the UK next year.
Punching above its weight
HOW LOW can you go? This all carbon-fibre/aramid tipper trailer weighs in at just 3,600kg with BPW Ecoplus running gear and Hyva front-end tipping ram.
It is the product of a venture involving several partners,including German trailer maker Meierling. Wabco, and MTB, The project is led by the Hamburg-based consultancy, The Team Technology ITT says the ultra-light tipper is just the first in a series of carbon fibre/aramid trailers: a curtainsider is in the pipeline with a kerbweight below three tonnes. The show trailer is undergoing operator trials in Germany.
Young driver competition
SCAN1A USED Hanover to launch the 2005 Young European Truck Driver of the Year competition, Open to truck drivers from any EU state who were born in 1970 or later,the competition is based on practical tests such as precision reversing and economic driving, as well as a theory test on safety and regulations.
Qualification rounds in each country are followed by national finals. Winners of each national final will go forward to the international final to be held at Scania's headquarters in Sweden. The company is keen to stress that anyone who drives a heavy truck can enter they need not drive a Scania and it is keen to have as many entries as possible.
Chassis cab conversion
VOLKSWAGEN'S NEWTS Transporter is the subject of a growing range of lightweight chassis-cab conversions.This Deutche Post van is by Spier, with an aluminium low-level frame running on Win wheels with tandem beam axles by AL-KO. Body lengths up to 5,500mm can be accommodated.
Hatcher deep sleeper makes living room
SUFFOLK-BASED Hatcher Components was at Hanover to launch its sleeper-cab conversion for the Sprinter. The conversion extends the cab length by 700nun with an external width of 2,075m. The single 1,930x600mm bunk lifts to reveal space for lug gage and the optional night heater.
In basic MB white the conversion costs £2,000 (ex-VAT) fitted, including insulation and interior lighting. Options include other colours and a roof hatch.
Three litres Dal y from January
THE UPPER end of Iveco's Daily van range is to receive a new threelitre engine;the first examples will hit the road in January. It is also launching a new automatic transmission.
The three-litre engine replaces the 2.8-litre unit. It will produce 140 or 170hp, with the higher of the two ratings being fitted in the 6.5-tonne Daily, leaving the 140hp unit for the four and five-tonners. Iveco stresses that the new engines will be more fuel efficient than their predecessors and are not just offering more power for power's sake.
The new six-speed auto gearbox, developed in conjunction with ZF, will be the first auto in the Daily van range. Drivers will have the option of fully or semi-automatic, which allows manual gear shifting. The gearbox will be introduced in two stages from January
Scania/MAN co-operation
SCANIA AND MAN look set to expand their joint venture which will entail Scania transmissions being supplied to MAN, and some MAN axles going to Scania. If current discussions are successful, the venture may be extended to cover all driven axles used by the two companies. Scania boss Leif Ostling says both manufacturers are examining an extension of the deal. If a technical solution can be agreed it will get the go-ahead, giving both companies huge build efficiencies.
Bandit's class transmission
THE DUTCH-BUILT Gemco Bandit starts off as an MAN L2000,then everything behind the cab is cut off. The missing bits are replaced by an integral air-suspended body with almost ground level access on three sides. This is possible because the original transmission is replaced by an engine-driven generator powering individual rear-wheel motors.
The example shown is a prototype which is beginning trials with a Dutch brewery. The maker claims that despite a capital cost some 30% higher than a conventional truck, its whole-life costs will be substantially lower due to fuel savings from running the engine at a more constant speed. Optional `super capacitors' allow silent "engine-off' running for night-time urban operations.
Bright and shiny Scania T-cabs
Scania's new P andT-Series cabs debuted at Hanover, with show models ranging from a shiny metallic black 1-cab with all the trimmings to a more workmanlike P270 DB4x2MNA.
Original slant on handling long loads
NOT ALL the technology solutions at IAA were exactly modern. This 1971 Mercedes-Benz L262H in the 'old-timers' display revealed an ingenious approach to the problem of carrying long steel beams.
• Too many stands, too few pages... there were simply too many goodies at Hanover to squeeze into a single issue. See you next week with a rundown of some of the most highly desirable trailers and components.
Vito — van of the year
STAFF AT Mercedes' Dusseldorf van factory are working flat out to meet demand but delivery times have risen to three months, despite working threeshifts. Vans sales have risen throughout Western Europe; Dusseldorf is now building 19,000 a year. The head of the firm's van division, Rolf Bartke, expects its sales to increase further, with the Vito which was named International Van of the Year at the show gaining more sales. Anew Sprinter is due to be launched in 2006.
Sales are also increasing in America, where Dodge has given up selling its Ram and has taken the Sprinter as a replacement.The Ram held 13% of the market but Bartke reckons the Sprinter could easily take more market share without being too aggressive towards its competitors. It currently holds 4% of the US market; Bartke estimates that 15% is feasible. However, the firm is finding the exchange rate a problem, despite previous currency hedging. This, coupled with increasing growth, has led M-B to consider building a Sprinter factory in the US. Bartke says the Vito won't go to the US because it is too expensive, even with a better exchange rate.
M-B has also confirmed that the Mitsubishi Canter range which it sells in the UK is to be re-branded Mitsubishi Fuso Canter. Eckhard Cordes. head of Merc's CV division, said: -Fuso is the top name in Japan for the medium and heavy-duty truck sectors and we have decided to introduce that brand name in Europe." Mercedes owns 67% of the company and is attempting to tackle quality problems in Japan which arose before the German involvement.
• M-B will consider launching a van version of its Vaneo if there is enough demand. One of its older products, the Vario, will meet Euro-4 using SCR technology from Merc's truck division; this will allow it to stay in production for a good few years yet.