OK, this might be a Scania magazine, but let’s face facts: For whatever reasons, Scania’s claim to be King of the Road has come under threat recently. The company’s commercial emphasis on other areas of the market combined with a rejuvenated competition has meant the clear blue water which used to exist between Scania’s flagship and the competition was in danger of being bridged.

Acutely aware of the damage this could have on the whole organisation, the company has moved to remedy that position – and in the R-series it would appear to have engineered the product to once again ensure Scania can make a justifiable claim to the top truck crown. In particular, there’s a raft of enhancements in the driver’s environment, plus a number of improvements in a whole host of other areas.

In terms of first impressions, and taking the cab first, the R-series definitely benefits from a revamp of the interior with an all-new dash, trim and floor pan. The cab is now mounted some 70mm higher to improve airflow around the engine and also reduce the engine intrusion into the cab. The result is a virtually flat floor, with a much reduced engine hump, rising just 145mm from the footwell, which contributes towards making the cab seem much roomier.

The dash has also been revised, featuring the curve common to most modern tractor fascias – though it now seems lower than previously, improving forward visibility. For Opticruise-equipped vehicles, the gearshift controls have been moved to a stalk on the steering column and, in the example I drove, a new soft-touch steering wheel, complete with all the requisite radio, cruise control and information switches, had also been added.

An additional cab height is offered with the R-series range, with a Highline option slotting in between the standard and Topline cabs. Elsewhere in the cab, the R-series benefits from a raised bottom bunk, offering decent under-bunk storage options. Also, in Topline versions, the previously forward-mounted bunk has been relocated on the rear cab wall. All the trim materials and switch gear appear to be of a high quality.