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SCAN IA R440-vR730

7th July 2011, Page 36
7th July 2011
Page 36
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Page 36, 7th July 2011 — SCAN IA R440-vR730
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Get the nside info on the battle of the cabs

411111w. With a single platform for

its 12.7-litre mass market truck and V8 behemoth, Scania can offer the operator a broad mix of options from the day-to-day, multi-shift truck to the tramper. We assess the standard Sleeper against the Topline with the Griffin+ pack

Words: George Barrow and Kevin Swallow / Images: Tom Lee Scania's mass market lorry and its top-ofthe-range truck stem from the same vehicle, the R-Series. With identical floor height, width and cab length, the only thing that separates the Sleeper cab from Highline and Topline is height and the range of options.

Traditionally, truck manufacturers offer two distinctive cabs a narrow one for volume markets and a wider, taller option for operators to pimp-up to their hearts delight. True, Scania offers the G-Series for its tractor range, but predominantly the R-Series gets the nod.

You can choose the 12.7-litre driveline with 400hp, 440hp or 480hp six-cylinder engine, with the CR19 standard sleeper cab, and Highline or Topline as an option.

Likewise, if you select the 16.4-litre V8 driveline with 730hp to play with, you can stick with the standard Sleeper cab, foregoing Highline,Topline and Griffin+ options.

Arguments rage over which specification remains a better investment in terms of an asset with residual values, which option helps reduce the overall running costs, and which provides a true reflection of the work it undertakes.

In an attempt to resolve the matter once and for all CM, armed with clipboards, pens, tape measures, noise meters and sleeping bags, descended on Stibbington Diner on the Al to compare and contrast the options. fold-out table, under-bed refrigerator and sidewall storage can be added.

There are two beds as standard, with the mattress on the bottom bunk longer and wider than on the top one. If both bunks are in use, the lower one offers 80mm more headroom than the upper. The upper bunk remains an option for the operator, but has almost zero room for the occupant to do anything but lay down.

Despite limited internal space, cross-cab access from the bottom bunk to the passenger door is unhindered, as the driver can lift the base of the passenger seat up against the backrest. Further options for the cab include four-point air suspension, air-conditioning, auto climate control, leather steering wheel, mosquito net for roof hatch, wood-effect finish, and the option to replace the standard four-point mechanical suspension with air. ward and the impressive number of storage compartments, 26 in total, provide plenty of room for personal and business effects.

Four closed units above the windscreen, three in the dash, one in the rear and two below the bunk provide adequate covered storage, while six dash trays, a rear cargo net pocket, five cubbies above the windscreen and four door pocket compartments ensure there is always a storage point close by Life in the cab is improved by the extra-wide bottom bunk that slides an extra 120mm, a fixed remote control for radio, lights and night heater, and additional bunk curtains, which are recommended if you want to block out full daylight without any difficulty.

It's a standard option for two bunks and with a two-person occupancy there is 960mm of head space for the driver below, although up top that is cut to 610mm.

There is the option to remove the upper bunk, but not to replace the bunk with additional on the back wall. Perhaps this is something the manufacturer might want to add. •

STORAGE UNITS

Scania R440 Sleeper cab Closed storage units: 5 (three above windscreen level, one dash and one netting) Open storage units: 12 (four on dash, four door pockets, two above windscreen level, one central tray, one on top of dash) 12/24 V connections: 12V and 24V, & USB Number of curtains: Two Options fitted: Sleeper cab (includes, rubber floor mats, manual roof hatch, vinyl headlining and wall panels, sun visors (front), folding passenger seat, storage above windscreen, dashboard with lid, door pockets, exterior offside locker and drawer under bunk) Options to be added: Interior door sunvisor (driver's side) and upper bunk Scania R730 Griffin Topline Closed storage units: 10 (four above windscreen level, three on dash, one rear and two pull-out drawers) Open storage units: 16 (six on dash, five above windscreen level, four door pockets, one rear wall netting) 12/24 V connections: 2 x 12V and 24V, with auxiliary and USB Number of curtains: three Options fitted: Sleeper cab (includes, rubber floor mats, manual roof hatch, vinyl headlining and wall panels, sun visors (front), folding passenger seat, storage above windscreen, dashboard with lid, door pockets, exterior offside locker and drawer under bunk) Options to be added: Topline cab option with Griffin+: Refrigerator, mobile phone prep, full kitchenette, block wood steering wheel, leather seat mat, black leather driver's and passenger's seat with white seam, shock absorbers for passenger seat, and black leather door panel

Scania Sleeper

The CR19 Sleeper cab is the standard option, with the choice of three day cabs, and Highline, and Topline as alternatives. In terms of affecting overall kerbweight, the lightest day cab will reduce it by 210kg, while the Topline will add 79kg.

Overall height of the Sleeper cab is 3.4m, 200mm lower than the Highline and 520mm lower than the Topline, which stands at 3.92m. In terms of storage, the driver has five closed storage units, three situated above the windscreen, one on the dash, and netting on the back wall.

There would have been a pull-out drawer under the bunk, but because our model is a rental vehicle, it has been removed by the manufacturer. However, there is an external locker on the offside and an option for a nearside one as well. The lack of height above the doors means additional storage facilities are not an option.

For day-to-day or multi-shift operations, this is ideal, but for a week's tramping the driver will struggle to stow laundry, personal effects, entertainment systems, work-related equipment and paperwork without continually displacing bags and belongings.

Neither the kitchenette nor microwave are available in the Sleeper spec, so to make the cab more of a single occupancy office, items such as the coffee machine,

Scania Toptine

Topline has its own kudos, but when it is also a V8 model, you can be sure the driver has some very special kit. This V8 Topline was crammed with goodies thanks to the optional Griffin+ pack, but standard equipment in the regular Topline cab is already generous with four-point cab air-suspension, automatic climate control air conditioning, kitchenette preparation connections, electric roof, air-sprung driver's seat, alarm, immobiliser, and exterior driver's side locker.

There is a pull-out, extendable bottom bunk and features in our test vehicle include a fridge/freezer drawer, and full kitchenette as part of the Griffin+ package. The upgrade also adds a leather centre mat, leather seats — which don't fold — and a mobile phone preparation kit to allow hands-free Bluetooth. Among the black leather and grey plastic there are also a number of V8 badges embossed, stuck or moulded into the interior.

The 2,370mm height from floor to ceiling makes standing and dressing in the Topline relatively straighffor

VER ©Eir

Up to the height of the engine cover, both the Sleeper and Topline, irrespective of the Griffin+ option, are identical. The seating positions are identical and cross-cab access, in terms of width at least, are identical as well.

But with extra height comes versatility and more options, most noticeably the wider (slide-out) bottom bunk in the Topline, and storage around the base of its dashboard. Not to mention the kitchenette, leather seats and interior and additional headroom.

Look closely at the options for the Sleeper cab and the buyer can bridge some of the gap by ticking the option boxes next to the coffee machine, fold-out table, underbed refrigerator and sidewall storage.

What also blurs the line between mass market and to of-the-range is that you can go for the lighter, 12.7-litre engine, but extend it with the Topline option, or choose the 16.4-litre V8 driveline with the standard Sleeper cab option.

There is enough scope in the Sleeper cab for any extra kit you might want to carry entertainment systems, PPE, straps, ropes and water rather than spend more on space and storage that might not be fully utilised.

Selecting either truck as an asset means looking at the purchase price: the V8 with Topline costs 32% more than the 12.7-litre Sleeper (as tested), and residuals.

CAP Monitor shows that depreciation accelerates 6% more on the V8 after three years to 32% of its purchase price, compared with 38% with the Sleeper cab option, although historically V8 holds its price better.


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