Renault enters the city vurs:l:tIciehefL,
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• Renault has developed a 17tonne urban artic version of its Midliner, with a lower unladen kingpin height of 1,009mm, and aimed at the brewery trade.
A prototype was exhibited during the Motor Show at Renault's nearby parts distribution centre at Elmdone. It will be launched in the first quarter of next year.
The artic, based on the Midliner S08-150, has a rear overhang of 790mm. It is fitted with a Davies Magnet TJ4C fifth wheel on a Dayton Walther 22nun mounting plate, giving it a 1,009mm fifth-wheel height.
It uses a Renault MIDS 06.02.12 six-cylinder tur bocharged diesel engine and a ZF synchromesh gearbox. Its cab is as the standard Midliner.
Chassis conversions will be carried out by an approved conversionist, says Renault, but no firm has yet been chosen. The manufacturer says it expects to sell up to 50 in the first year, and "build from there".
The artic's kingpin is 305mm forward of the rear axle. Laden kingpin height is 954mm; its plated weights are: front axle — 3, 400kgs; rear axle — 6,400kgs; GVW — 9,800kgs.
Renault says it is aiming at the same "gap in the market" that was filled by the Bedford lightweight tractive unit. Although it admits that the 1,009mm unladen height is not the lowest available, it says it is "within an inch of the lowest". It claims the vehicle will be "well placed to compete in the brewery distribution and similar markets."