Maximum gain, minimum effort

With a pedigree bolstered by a string of victories in numerous truck competitions – including the 2017 International Truck of the Year contest – Scania’s latest range of next-generation, long-haul thoroughbreds has earned an enviable reputation for delivering premium-quality engineering, cutting-edge efficiency and excellent driver control and comfort

Recently released in South Africa, models in Scania’s latest long-haul line-up have attracted plenty of attention for their leading levels of refinement, outstanding fuel economy and spacious, tastefully trimmed cabins – not to mention an ability to lug even the heaviest loads great distances with disdainful ease.

Though reliability is central to what makes Scanias so successful in the long-haul sector, new-generation models feature made-to-order features and support systems that have been designed to optimise all aspects of vehicle performance, no matter under which conditions the trucks operate.

“The right selection of supportive solutions will help long-haul transport operators to understand the true meaning of having a truck specially tailored for their particular businesses, providing maximum gain with minimum effort,” says a Scania spokesman.

Among the tailor-made solutions is the Scania Retarder – that can be fitted to gearboxes across the range – and which, in conjunction with an exhaust brake, greatly improves retardation efficiency by interacting with the vehicle’s cruise-control system, exhaust brake and wheel brakes to provide total downhill speed control.

Also available for vehicles in the range is the latest version of Scania Opticruise – one of the trucking world’s first automated gear-changing systems – which has been perfected to become among the smoothest and smartest systems on the market.

Features that Opticruise boasts include a driver interface with all functions for gear changing and retarder control integrated in a steering-wheel lever; an adaptive gear-shift strategy based on style of driving, load and inclination of the road; and comprehensive electronic protection to keep clutch wear to a minimum.

Also, for operations that involve precision manoeuvring, Scania has introduced Clutch on Demand – a new performance step for Opticruise – which incorporates an additional clutch pedal positioned for convenient use.

While several parameters within the Opticruise system can be adjusted by Scania’s technicians to tailor functionality to suit specific needs, here is an overview of the some of the solutions the company has implemented to help to make long-haul transport operations more efficient and profitable, and drivers more skilled and comfortable.

• Four drive modes allow the vehicle’s performance to be adapted to meet particular operational demands – standard mode provides optimal balance between fuel economy and hill performance; economy mode minimises fuel consumption with a view to reducing operational costs; power mode prioritises engine response and uphill performance in order to optimise transport time; and off-road mode enables better traction control when driving in rough terrain or on surfaces with high rolling resistance.

• Scania Active Prediction is a unique advanced cruise-control system that utilises GPS to predict the topography of the road ahead, enabling a driver to achieve optimised cruising speed – even on roads never seen before. By adjusting speed before an ascent or descent, the system contributes to reduced fuel consumption.

• Scania Eco-roll (CCAP) is a smart cruise-control system that interprets topographical data to select the optimal gear and speed in real time. The system combines GPS data to determine the vehicle’s position, and information of the topography ahead. In this way, the most fuel-efficient speed profile is calculated every second.

• Scania Driver Support is a system that continuously feeds back to the driver individual hints regarding safe driving and fuel economy. The system works in real time and delivers a summary after a completed assignment.

• EST – an electronically steered tag axle – is perceived as an innovative complement to the regular steering axle, contributing to excellent manoeuvring as well as low weight, fuel consumption and tyre wear.

• Automatic Climate Control has been updated and improved, helping to making long hours in the cabin more comfortable. The system is available in two versions – ACC and Premium – each featuring improved control stability, air distribution, air evacuation and defrost-demist functions.