New Alpha: In the driver's seat
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Climb Inside a new Alpha and you could be forgiven for a touch of déjà vu. That's hardly surprising as the Alpha has the same attractive curving binnacle as the CF, albeit with its own gauges and instruments including either Road Relay 4 or Cat ID data displays. You'll also find the Foden kite sitting proudly in the centre of the steering wheel boss.
CM had the chance to look at an early production XL sleeper, and we were impressed by the high level of fit and finish—but Foden hasn't gone over the top with unnecessary frippery. The mock walnut trim in the dash helps break things up but it's not OTT. The rubber floor covering will be easy to keep clean for drivers moving around the cab and the three lockers built in to the XL headlining have a very solid feel.
The raised single bunk (longer than the bed in a Oaf 95XF1 has plenty of room underneath it—more than enough for the optional factory-fitted frldgelcoolbox in the centre. And for the first time the Alpha has a "wet" locker which is accessible from the outside. Operators can choose between a standard. velour trim or leather-trimmed seats on the XL, while tippers cabs will have what Foden calls "application focussed specifications".