Home side marks century
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Renault marked the 100th Paris Mondial du Transport Routier with a new Premium Single (a one-man option on its Privilege cab); new Kerax 400 multi-axle rigids with all-wheel-drive options; and an F200 concept vehicle precursor of the Messenger replacement which will be launched next year.
The show was also graced by Volvo's new FM range, Mercedes' middleweight Ategos, Iveco's latest EuroTech Cursor and MAN's revised F2000 line-up with its new four-valve engines. Impressive though they were, these newcomers had all been on show at last month's mammoth truck gathering in Hanover (CM 10-16 Sept). Undaunted, our reporters duly went in search of other French fancies.
Heavy truck engineer Titan's Godzilla-size 8x8 cast an enormous shadow but many smaller commercials were equally eye-catching; notably Renault's bullish F200.
Report by Bryan Jarvis and Colin Barnett. Photography by Peter Cramer.
• Renault's Premium cab now comes in single "bed-sit" style with the passenger seat and bunk being replaced by a more comfortable sofa-bed. Access to the carpeted lounge area's flat floor iwhich is 311mm higher than usual) is via the extra fourth outer step and longer grab rails—or by simply moving over from the driver's seat. To facilitate this, the steering wheel tilts towards the screen and the seat lowers. Thanks to a cutaway header section there's plenty of standing room; with the back and armrest stowed the driver gets a 2,000x810mm bed. Storage beneath the bunk comprises a deep partitioned drawer, a retractable writing shelf and space for a small fridge. When trade-in time comes around the Premium Single cab can easily be changed back to standard twin-bunk spec.
• With more than 30,000 Premium 340 and 385 sales to date, Renault has extended the range with a more powerful 400 model. The 11.1-liire M1DR 06.23.56 engine is rated at 392hp (288kW) and chums out 1,800Nm (1,3271144 of torque between 1,1001,30Orpm--the same 392hp engine is used to power Renault's ic• est Kerax 400 additions. These include two, three and fourcoded models models which are all available with all-wheel drive.
Unlike the UK, France never really gave up on the concept of home delivery in rural areas. Bringing the idea up to date is this Opel Movanobased mobile boulangerie, complete with baguette oven.
soty t • Renault's replacement for its ageing 3.5-6.5-tonne Messengers is due to be launched towards the end of next year, but Paris showgoers got a sneak preview. Some of the design and panel production costs have been shared with Iveco, presumably for the Daily replacement. Provisionally called the F200, it will have an Albion rear axle at the heavier end of the range, pallet-width side doors as standard and a number of cab components from the Master van.
• Peugeot showed this concept of a small mobile workshop based on the Partner, complete with a Dangel four-wheel-drive system.
• Ponticelli has built more than 250 diesel, electric and dual-fuel refuse collection trucks since it was set up in 1993: this 6x2 with its shapely Puncher three-seat GRP cab is its first to use Cummins' 250hp CNG engine. It comes with an Allison automatic gearbox and Telma retarder but the rest is mainly Renault, including the hydraulically steered trailing rear axle. Only the drive axle has drum brakes; the others have discs. After the show the Puncher will go straight into the bodyshop and then on to trials with SITA. Ponticelli, which builds a truck a day, is hoping for a major order.
• The latest addition to the Iveco EuroCargo range is this 6.57m-wheelbase version with space for a 10m body. It is available on the 120, 130 and 150 models. Mid-sized Ivecos were represented in the "environmental friendliness" area of the show by a 260hp (194kW) EuroTech 26-ton
running on CNG. • Tilt-covered pickup bodies with barn-type rear doors are popular in France. Durisoth built this example on a Peugeot Expert; parked nearby was a similar offering from Gruau on a Boxer.
• The six-cylinder Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ is a popular basis for compact recovery trucks in France. This example features the latest JIGE Mid City V kit and has an overall height of just 1.9m . • Paris marked the show debut of Nissan's Spanish-built Cabstar E chassis-cab. The Cabstar E comes in 2.8, 3.2, 3.5 and 4.5-tonne GVVV versions with 2.4m, 2.9m and 3.4m wheelbase options. A three-seat single tilt cab or a six-seat, four-door crew-cab can be specified, with a choice of three trim levels. Engine options are a 2.3-litre diesel, 2.7-litre turbo-diesel and a 3.0-litre charge-cooled turbo-diesel, with outputs ranging from 74hp (55kW) to 109hp (81kW). Despite the substantial U-channel chassis, excellent payload figures are claimed. • Truck maker and bodybuilder Titan has been around since 1873, but this massive Mack-powered 8x8 must be one of its biggest specials yet. It's one of a pair destined for Lemarechal. With a 12-axled Nicolas trailer it will shift loads up to 175 tonnes GCW—but Titan says its design rating can go as high as 600 tonnes. The mighty 560hp V8 with ZF Transmatic gearbox and Fluid flywheel is dwarfed by Renault's Premium sleeper cab which perches 3.75m above ground level. Mentor axles ride on Ridewell air suspension and 445/65R 22.5 wide singles up front, with huge leaf spring packs and twin tyres at the rear. Titan also showed a Kerax 385-based 8x4 with a one-piece chassis-cum-body and 90t/m Fassi crane for shifting transformers.
• Sisu builds more than 500 trucks in a good year to beat off Sconia and Volvo for the lion's share of its domestic market. Now the Finnish manufacturer has turned its attention on France. In July it gained homologation for 4x2 and 6x4 models Featuring Renault Premium cabs, 430hp and 470hp 12-litre Mack engines and Renault 18-speed B18 gearboxes. The Frame, axles and suspension are pure Sisu. Conflict with Renault is avoided because so far these are the only chassis to offer the Mack engine under the Premium cab with such a heavy-duty front axle. Sisu has only sold four to date, mainly to timber hauliers, but it could interest tippermen. However, Renault is likely to fit its own 12-litre engine under the Premium cob which could nip the Sisu cam
■ •116 paign in the bud.
• iveco aims to establish its green credentials with the Daily 35.11 CNG. The 106hp (78kW) compressed-natural-gas engine has a claimed range of 300km thanks to a bank of five tanks. A Daily with lveco's own air rear suspension system was also shown for the first time al Paris.
• Jocguin of Gamaches was responsible for the smallest tipper at the show, based on the Citroen Berlingo. • Renault Masters come in many guises, but few are as slippery looking as this version from French body and GRP fairing supplier NOVIplast. The Guerigney manufacturer produces a range of light vehicle bodywork such as this curtainsider system: the Master's addon cab roof, sides and body skirting are typical aerodynamic enhancements for standard CVs.