A helluva Hanover!
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If Europe's biggest truck show had a theme this year, it was Euro-2. The next round of European emission regs doesn't come into force until 1996, but with few new models on the sprawling 55-acre site, manufacturers were keen to show their green credentials.
Daf was one of the first manufacturers to offer Euro-2 engines (see feature, page 36) and visitors to its stand were treated to a glimpse of a possible Euro-3 engine. The 8.65-litre engine is equipped with four-valves-per-cylinder, re-worked combustion chambers and a Bosch PLD fuel system producing extremely high injection pressures. Overhead cams are not needed to operate the unit-pump injectors, offering significant savings.
The company also announced the 55 Series, exclusively previewed in Commercial Motor. Built, but not destined to be sold in the UK, the 11/15-tonne chassis will plug a gap in Daf's European range.
Other newcomers included Mercedes' 523hp Euro-2 1853 flagship and MAN's F2000 range. Both German manufacturers gave us glimpses of their alternative fuel developments with displays of gas engines and diesel/electric hybrids. Mercedes also featured a van powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
Cummins unveiled its 11-litre CELECT-controlled M11 and B-Series gas engines. The Mll will replace the L10 by the Euro-2 deadline, when all Ctunmins diesels will be electronically controlled.
In the wake of the Renault-Volvo divorce, Renault showed off its own 12-litre electronically controlled Euro-2 ACE engine. So did Volvo, alongside its Euro-2 seven-litre range.
The Iveco Cargo 4x4 was at Hanover in advance of its UK debut: it was joined by several variations on a Daily theme.
Other vans were strongly represented too. The Transit made its first public appearance since its nose job; Ford has also treated its market leader to a new dash, engine line-up and safety features. The Transit's arch rival, VW's Transporter, also gets additional safety features, trim changes and a new engine. Then there were the trailer, body and container manufacturers, accounting for 203 exhibitors out of a total of 1,020 from 32 countries. CM's team donned their boots and got walking...
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