Fresh from its IAA-presented International Truck of the Year award, the Scania S 500 has a starring role at the 2017 Brisbane Truck Show.
It is the first time an example of Scania’s New Truck Generation is landing in Australia, and its first public presentation in the Southern Hemisphere, following the global reveal in Paris last August.
The Brisbane Truck Show Scania S 500 display vehicle has been brought specifically for the show and will return to Europe immediately after it concludes.
It is a UK-specification right-hand drive example.
The launch of the New Truck Generation Scania will only occur after the successful conclusion of an intensive local market evaluation programme says the Australian distributor.
This programme will commence once Scania Australia has access to a full range of variants that are deemed to be suitable for local market requirements and conditions (including V8 and 6×4 variants).
“We are bringing out for the Brisbane Truck Show an example of Scania’s New Truck Generation prime mover that won the 1,000-point test undertaken by some heavy vehicle publications in Europe last year,” said Scania Australia managing director Roger McCarthy.
“The Scania S 500 won the 1,000-point test beating off three rival Europeans, underlining its strength across many categories under scrutinies, such as high performance, economy, excellent driving characteristics, ease of operation, safety and driver comfort,” he says.
“We took the decision to fast-track the delivery of an example of the S 500 to Australia, even though the commercial launch is still some considerable way off,” says McCarthy.
“The truck on display is representative of a specification that could be offered to the Australian market when it comes here,” he says.
It is joined on the Scania display stand by a selection of the current generation of Scania prime movers including the current flagship, the R 730 V8, a G 480 prime mover and a P 310 8×2 rigid.
“We are also demonstrating the advantages of Scania Maintenance with Flexible Plans, which combined with Scania Optimise, provides fleets and owners with an in-depth and user-friendly insights into the most cost-effective and efficient way to maximise the profitability of their Scania assets,” says McCarthy.
“The Scania stand will provide all truck operators with the perfect opportunity to gain a clear understanding of efficient, sustainable, safe and driver-friendly trucking,” he says.
The Scania S 500 on display is shown in 6×2/2 configuration with a pusher axle (with single wheels) and rear drive axle with dual wheels.
It has a completely flat cab floor as well as the most powerful version of the Scania 13-litre SCR Euro 6-compliant six-cylinder in-line engine, producing 500 hp (373 kW) at 1900 rpm, and 2550 Nm of torque between 1000 and 1300 rpm.
The 500 hp engine drives through the Scania GRS905R direct drive gearbox, controlled by Scania Opticruise automation, which provides three performance modes (Economy, Standard and Power).
Thanks to the adoption of a new layshaft brake, Scania Opticruise gear changing is now effected in around 0.4 of a second, around 45% quicker than previously, providing a smoother driving experience and driveline wear reduction.
The Scania S 500 has the latest high output R 4100 D Scania Retarder, plus an exhaust brake, providing superior, seamless deceleration while preserving the service brakes.
The rear driven axle uses a 2.59:1 final drive ratio, reflecting the lower European speed limit for trucks of 85 km/h, and has a differential lock.
The show truck is the Highline model that provides additional headroom inside, allowing drivers up to 207 cm tall to stand upright, thanks to the cab’s completely flat floor.
Premium climate control, an electric roof hatch, a 1000 mm wide expandable lower bunk, and a 700 mm upper bunk ensure driver comfort says Scania.
The Scania S 500 features latest generation safety systems such as ABS/EBS with Advanced Emergency Braking, Electronic Stability Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Scania Lane Departure Warning, as well as the world’s first driver’s side window curtain airbag, augmenting the driver’s airbag in the leather-rimmed steering wheel.
The truck will also be fitted with the latest generation of Scania Communicator, as well as LED head and tail lamps, LED daytime running lamps, and LED fog lamps, underlining Scania’s commitment to equipping its vehicles with the highest levels of safety and convenience features in the market.
An overview of the 1,000-point test is available here:
