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A s we've said elsewhere in this issue, 2003 was a
Page 46
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very big year for Commercial Motor, with changes aplenty across the hoard and nowhere was this more obvious than in the roadtest arena. Not only did we change the layout to make it easier for you to access the information, we also reduced the tractor test itself from three days to two in order to ensure better repeatability between tests.
There's been a flurry of new vehicle launches over the past 18 months or so and, as ever, Commercial Motor was the first magazine in the UK to get its hands on most of the new models. Highlights included our first UK roadtest of the Iveco Stralis and an exclusive first test of the International Truck of the Year 2004, the all-new MercedesActros.
Having tested the old-generation Actros earlier in the year we were able to compare the new model with its predecessor— and if you're looking for driver appeal and ease of operation the Actros must he in your shortlist. If the new Actros has an Achilles heel it would appear to he fuel economy.The new and old models, using the same driveline, did not shine.cornpared with the opposition.
Another disappointing performer on the M-B Actros:
International Truck of the Year
fuel economy front was the Volvo FH12.460, complete with I-Shift auto transmission (one of the best examples of this new breed of gearboxes).The FH12's state-of-the-art turbo-compound engine technology promised much;while performance was beyond doubt, it failed to measure up at the fuel pumps.
The thriftiest 40-tonner to come our way in 2003 was an old favourite, the Scania R124, now equipped with an HPi fuel system. The 420hp version set the standard for 4x2 tractors around our new test route with 8.91rripg— not bad for a truck set forreplacement in the next 18 months or so. Also among the old favourites tested last year was the venerable Renault Magnum which adorned the front cover of our relaunch issue in Septem ber.The French flagship fails to sell in any great numbers these days hut it's still capable of putting in route it set an extremely high fuel economy standard for the others to follow.
Dais 95XF continues to perform well in the market and the latest incarnation, with ZF's AS-Tronic automatic transmission.put in an above-average effort out on the road. The XF has eclipsed the mighty Scania 4 Series in many drivers' minds and our testers were equally bowled over by Hotel XF as a place to work and live.
Daf will have to keep its eye on the game over the coming months: the resurgent Actros. with its renewed focus on the needs of the driver, is bidding to steal its crown.
Iveco has also done a lot to appeal to drivers with its new Stralis range; our test of the top-of-the-range Active Space version allowed us to assess the success of the Italians' efforts.The Stralis AS is certainly a massive improvement over what went before: the general consensus is that Iveco now has a tractor capable of challenging for major deals. However,it still has some way to go before it can truly claim victory in the battle for drivers' hearts and minds.
ERF has been fighting its own battles over the past two or three years and many diehard fans have been disappointed that this onceproud marque has been absorbed into its MAN parent. The product is now virtually 100% MAN, apart from the badge on the grille and the option of a Cummins engine. Our test of the 420hp ERF ECT in the summer proved the 11-litre Cummins was as frugal as ever and. as our tester said at the time, the ECT represents a very good proposition for UK fleet operators. •