With four new models on display, the UK debut of Scania’s new Euro 5 engine range and the widest ever range of products and services available under the banner Scania Total Transport Solutions, this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show marks Scania’s largest ever showing of new vehicles and associated initiatives at a British transport industry event.

UK Première:  Flexible new cab models
Scania has recently launched a number of new cab options, including a Highline version of the P-cab, a new model range known as the G-series, plus new features for the existing R-series range.  A P-series Highline cab will feature on the Scania Complete Curtainsider on display (see below) and a G-series G 420 LA4x2MNA tractor unit will also be exhibited. 

Together, the new cabs increase Scania’s model portfolio by 50 percent.  The introduction of a Highline cab for the P-series means that a larger and more spacious sleeper is now available in Scania’s smallest truck range.

“The new P-series Highline cab will appeal to operators in the distribution and medium duty sector while the G-series, which can accept our highest horsepower Euro 5 inline engines, occupies an important position between the existing P- and R-series,” says Roger McCarthy, Scania (Great Britain) Limited’s UK Sales Director.

The interior of the G-series features a number of innovative solutions to create a spacious living area. The model has an enclosed roof shelf (a feature shared with the R-series range) and below the bed is a specially-designed flat refrigerator that can be pulled out on a sliding drawer.  The back of the driver’s seat can also be folded down to serve as a bedside table.

Additionally, all Scania cab series are now equipped with an improved ventilation system which incorporates sun sensors and the measurement of internal and external temperatures in order to maintain a more even temperature inside the cab.  Moreover, advances in technology mean the cab can now be heated and cooled more rapidly.

UK Première:  P 230 DB4x2MNA Scania Complete Curtainsider 
Launched at last year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, the Scania Complete Vehicle concept has rapidly established itself among operators seeking ready-made trucks from a single supplier.  Beginning with the Scania Complete Box, a fully built-up hookloader and a wet kit tractor unit were soon added to the range.  The latest addition is the Scania Complete Curtainsider, being shown for the first time at this year’s show. The model on the stand is also equipped with an example of the recently-launched Highline P-cab.

The Scania Complete Curtainsider is entirely Scania designed and factory-prepared to accept bodies fitted by Scania’s authorised bodybuilder partners in the UK.  The vehicle is currently available in four-wheel format and a six-wheeler is planned as a future development.  A selection of Euro 4/5 engines, all with Scania EGR,  can be specified.  Transmission is via either a Scania six- or eight-speed gearbox and Scania Opticruise is available.

A range of options, including a Ratcliff Tukaway tail-lift, with a standard lifting capacity of 1,500 kilogrammes, are also offered.

Externally-mounted operating controls are complemented by an on-board wander lead, ensuring maximum safety in operation throughout the lifting process.

All Scania Complete Curtainsider’s are supplied with full manufacturer’s warranty cover and a regular on-going production programme ensures the fastest possible delivery times to operators.

UK Première:  R 440 LA6x2/2MNA and R 480 LA6x2/4MNA tractor units
Another first for Scania at the show will be an R 440 LA6x2/2MNA tractor unit.  This new model features a non-steering, lifting mid-axle which is 105 kilogrammes lighter than its twin-steer equivalent.  The show truck has a 440 horsepower engine and is one of two R-series tractor units being displayed with Scania EGR Euro 5 engines, the other being an R 480 LA6x2/4MNA twin-steer model.

UK debut:  Scania's new Euro 5 engine platform
Two engines from the new Euro 5 range announced by Scania last autumn will make their UK debut and take centre stage at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show.

The new engine programme will gradually replace the current Scania engine range during 2008/9 in readiness for Euro 5, which becomes mandatory in the European Union in October 2009.  Within the programme several new technologies, including a new fuel injection system known as Scania XPI, (extra high-pressure injection), and a variable geometry turbocharger, have been employed to secure performance and fuel efficiency. 

Three engines also comply with EEV, which stands for Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle, the strictest standard today on emissions control.  These units are primarily intended for urban applications and include an ethanol-powered 270 horsepower unit.
 
While SCR models are also available, Scania’s new engine platform has been optimised for EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) and Scania XPI from the outset due to demands and targets for performance and fuel economy, as well as for consistent environmental performance, robustness and convenient operation. With EGR, emissions are lowered during combustion, eliminating the need for aftertreatment equipment and onboard tanks to carry additives.

Scania Total Transport Solutions
Encompassing an increasingly wide range of products and services, Scania Total Transport Solutions has been designed with the aim of providing operators with a single source of supply for every transport need.  As such, the Total Transport Solutions concept will form a major part of Scania's display at this year's show with specialists from each area represented being on hand to discuss operators’ individual needs.  A selection of items being showcased at the event follows:

Scania OnBoard
Featured in its own display area at the show, Scania OnBoard is an entirely refocused fleet management proposition based solely upon providing fleet managers with the information they need to run their fleets more effectively. To achieve this, Scania OnBoard shifts the current fleet management emphasis from telematics and hardware to a purely information-driven service.  Accordingly, Scania OnBoard comprises three key core elements:

• Messaging to link a vehicle with its operating base.
• OPS, standing for Order Process Support, to monitor vehicles and their jobs.
• Driver Log to record driver-activity.

Fom the driver’s perspective, Scania OnBoard is represented by a dashboard mounted touch-screen through which messages are received from, and made to, the operating base.  In addition to simple text messages, the driver responds to job scheduling instructions from his operating base by way of the touch screen. 

To ensure safety in operation at all times, the touch screen can only be used when the vehicle is stationary.

The fleet manager can access the three core Scania OnBoard services from any internet-enabled computer via the secure Scania OnBoard Portal.  From here he can communicate with his vehicles by text messages or through OPS, which allows him to schedule, track and manage vehicles and jobs in real-time.  The third key Scania OnBoard function, Driver Log, offers the fleet manager a broad range of driver-activity information.

Scania Mobile Engineers
Scania now has more than 70 Mobile Engineers extending the range and scope of its UK aftersales service.

Specialising in the repair and maintenance of ancillary equipment on truck, bus and coach operators’ premises or, if necessary, at the roadside, Scania’s Mobile Engineers service covers a variety of items including tail-lifts, transport refrigeration, shutter doors, air-condition systems and bus and coach passenger lifts.

”Our Mobile Engineers programme has been developed in support of customers looking to maximise their uptime and operating efficiency,” comments James Armstrong, Aftersales Director for Scania (Great Britain) Limited.  ”Many operators already have their vehicles and trailers maintained by the Scania network, so it makes good sense for them to also entrust their ancillary equipment to us.

The Scania Driver Experience
Another service being featured is the Scania Driver Experience, Scania’s driver development initiative, which supports to the industry through an extensive and high quality range of training programmes now being offered nationwide. 

Courses offered by the Scania Driver Experience include:

• Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) related courses
• Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driving licence instruction
• Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving licence instruction
• Driver familiarisation
• Safety training courses
• Working Time Directive
• Digital tachograph
• Mechanical handling licences
• Bespoke courses to suit operator needs

Those wishing to find out more about the Scania Driver Experience are invited to call 0844 800 9131, visit www.scania.co.uk/learntodrive, or contact their local Scania dealer.

The Scania Experience
An area of this year’s stand will be given over to The Scania Experience.  This will take the form of a display where operators tell how the total transport solutions provided by Scania benefits them and their businesses.

”Whether it’s taking delivery of a new truck, enjoying the long-term peace of mind provided by a Scania Support Programme or simply in your day-to-day dealings with us, The Scania Experience covers a wealth of activities,” comments Scania’s Brand and Communications Manager, Chris Love.

”But while we believe we have a powerful message to send to the market place in terms of our range of products and services and the quality underpinning everything we do, there is nothing to compare with to hearing the story in operators’ own words. 

So we have been out in the field gathering the views and opinions of a number of our customers – large and small and from a range of sectors – so they can share their Scania Experience with their colleagues from the industry attending the show.”