Unique Volvo
Page 11
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• Engineers of the Brewery Transport Advisory Committee are aiming to set some fuel economy records with a unique, specially-prepared Volvo F10, 38-tonne GCW tractive unit.
The used 'l'-registration Volvo has been rescued from a scrap yard and is being prepared for the Gordon Goddard fuel economy trials being held on September 14/15 at the Motor Industry Research Association proving ground. The annual event is organised jointly by BTAC and the Institute of Road Transport Engineers.
The FlO's complete driveline is being replaced with non-standard units and several innovative components will be fitted to the chassis to reduce kerb weight and improve fuel economy.
The standard Volvo 9.6 litre, TD100 engine, eightspeed synchromesh R62 gearbox and single reduction RAEV 85 drive axle have been removed. In their places are a Cummins LTA 10-290 10 litre engine, Eaton Twin Splitter twelve-speed constant mesh gearbox and Eaton 2312 single reduction drive axle, normally used in PSVs.
BTAC's engineers plan to save more weight by using an Ingersoll Rand air starter and Alcoa forged aluminium alloy wheels.
The novel Volvo will nm on Continental 295/80 R22.5 EOT, "energy optimised" tyres (CM, March 22), which are not yet generally
available in the UK.
While the majority of vehicles entered for the trials will compete in the operator or manufacturer classes, which require the vehicles to be standard, the Cummins-engined F10 will be in the "unrestricted" class.
BTAC secretary Bill Montague says there are a record number of prizes this year and, for the first time, a tanker class, which Esso has already entered with two 38tonners. Application forms for the trials are available from Bill Montague on 04024 71376.