Sitrak: the new heavyweight in town 

Sinotruk’s heavy-duty truck, the Sitrak, is aiming to put a dent in the South African market with its blend of power, economy, comfort, and safety.

A leader in the Chinese heavy-duty truck industry and export market, Sinotruk has a storied history in the manufacture of heavy-duty trucks, dating back to 1960.

The Sitrak, which was first launched in 2013, is the latest iteration of the company’s heavy-duty offerings. The arrival of the Sitrak C7H 64480 TT AMT 6×4 tractor with spring or air suspension provides a powerful and economical option for South African operators.

The Sitrak C7H’s 12.419-litre, six-cylinder in-line, water cooled Sinotruk MC13.48-30 Euro 3 engine is based on state-of-the-art European technology, improved in China. It is ultra-durable and reliable, with 480hp (353kW) maximum output at 1,900r/min and 2,300Nm at 1,050 to 1,400r/min of maximum torque. The wide torque speed range promotes economic operation by increasing the engine’s power whilst simultaneously reducing fuel consumption. 

Economic and power benefits are further achieved by the combination of the MC series engine, smart transmission, and high efficiency driving axles. Tractor axle configurations have been selected through a rigorous testing process increasing efficiency via reasonable matching and advanced technology support, while the ZF transmission uses a servo shift-assisted mechanism to guarantee quick and smooth gear shift changes. The transmission’s efficiency is improved by lean gear grinding technology and the aluminium transmission housing helps to cut overall weight.

With a maximum speed of 110km/h and a 600 + 250-litre fuel tank, the Sitrak has a 25-tonne gross vehicle mass (GVM) and 80-tonne gross combination mass (GCM), with a permissible GCM of 56 tonnes. Manufacturer’s gross axle masses are 7.7 and 26 tonnes for the front and rear axles respectively (permissible rear axle mass is 18 tonnes).

Sinotruk is also offering longer maintenance intervals for oil change, with engine, transmission, and axle oil change intervals of up to 100,000km.

The Sitrak is not just about performance, although traces of its advanced technology are still visible in the elegant and streamlined vehicle body. The stylish design is also functional, offering wide views for the driver and smart light combinations.

The truck’s double sleeper cab treats the driver to home-like comforts. Wide-opening doors and ergonomic access ladders make getting onboard easier than ever, while the four-point support fully floating suspension is enhanced by an air-suspended adjustable driver’s seat and rigid adjustable co-driver’s seat. A driver’s seat with heating function is optional, while the flat floor and 2 x 0.8m berth facilitate easy movement in the cab. Comfort is further enhanced by a user-friendly heating and ventilation system, a multi-function steering wheel with a clear layout, and plenty of storage space, with several storage boxes boasting a capacity of over 200 litres. The lower berth is also reversible to create more space in the interior.

When it comes to safety, the Sitrak doesn’t disappoint. There are numerous active and passive safety features,  including anti-braking system (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC). The advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) includes adaptive cruise control, hill start assist, and lane departure warning system.

The Sitrak certainly packs a heavyweight punch. Its power, combined with economic, environmental, safety, and driver comfort benefits, should help to establish Sinotruk as a force to be reckoned with in the local heavy-duty truck sector.