28 minute read
QUATTRO-PHENIA
REVIEW: AUDI RS Q3 SPORTBACK
It’s summertime, so what better way to go on a road trip than with Audi’s RS Q3 Sportback? Jason Saundalkar writes
The Q3 is Audi’s smallest crossover and, in standard guise, is designed to be a comfortable and stylish vehicle for small families.
The vehicle T&FME tested last month was not a Q3 however, but rather, the Q3’s pumped up, shoutier cousin, the RS Q3 Sportback.
‘RS’ (Racing Sport) vehicles, regardless of the model in Audi’s line-up, are range-toppers that sit above the ‘S’ (Sport) vehicles. With a RS vehicle, expect better performance, as well as sharper and more aggressive styling – the latter also serves to differentiate RS vehicles from their less expensive S counterparts.
Dressed in look-at-me “Kyalami Green” (unique to the RS Q3 Sportback) and augmented with RS bumpers and other exterior flourishes, my tester proved an attention getter, whether I was cruising on a highway, sitting at a traffic light, or pulling up to park. In fact, a friend who saw a side profile shot of the RS Q3 on my Instagram account even texted to ask if it was a Lamborghini Urus! Job well done on the styling then, Audi.
The T&FME test car had US $7,200 in optional extras, which took its final price to a significant $76,700. The extras included handsome 21-inch five-V-spoke anthracite black finished alloy rims that were wrapped with low profile tires, a black appearance package, RS sport exhaust system, brake calipers finished in red, and several other exterior and interior appointments.
PRACTICAL BUT SPORTY TOUCHES
Inside the cabin, there are a few sporty touches including decorative Carbon Twill inserts, illuminated RS scuff plates, a flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped RS steering wheel and steeringmounted paddle shifters. The cabin is logically laid out.
Considering the already significant base price, I reckon it is worth spending the extra money because they complete the look and add useful functions (more on this later). With the extras fitted, I’m confident no one will look at this RS Q3 and mistake it for a regular Q3 or even the Q3 Sportback (the latter sits in between the Q3 and RS Q3 in the model family).
Interior appointments and features
Inside the cabin, there are a few sporty touches including decorative Carbon Twill inserts, illuminated RS scuff plates, a flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped RS steering wheel and steering-mounted paddle shifters. The cabin is logically laid
out, like most modern Audis are, however as this is an entry level crossover in Audi’s product family, you don’t quite get the same uber plush and luxurious interior that you get from the mid and higher-end Audis.
That said, there were a few surprising omissions considering the vehicle’s significant base price and optional extras: the driver’s seat on my RS Q3 tester had the optional power driver seat specified but there was no memory function; the steering wheel is manually adjustable only; there’s no head’s up display, and the ambience lighting, despite being optioned with “Ambient Lighting Package Plus” didn’t quite blow this reviewer away. That said, the illuminated scuff plates and projection of ‘Audi Sport’ (from under the sideview mirrors) on the ground looks great when the sun goes down or you’re in covered parking.
Most of the touch points I regularly interacted with felt good, while the standard dual-zone climate control proved easy to operate via its dedicated controls, which meant not having to rely on the touch-sensitive Audi MMI screen/ system. And, despite the sweltering Dubai weather (between 40-to-44C through the test period) and reasonably large glasshouse, the climate control managed to maintain comfortable temperature in the cabin, even at midday.
The Audi’s adaptive cruise control system and lane departure warning system/ lane change assistant (both optional extras on this tester) were also highly useful
FEATURES FOR THE ROAD
The Audi’s adaptive cruise control system and lane departure warning system/lane change assistant (both optional extras on this tester) proved highly useful in traffic, as well as the open road.
convenience features, that helped take the stress out of rush hour traffic over the test period. As great as these features were, the 360-degree camera system (also an optional extra) was perhaps the most useful convenience feature, as it made parking and getting in/out of tight spaces a piece of cake. If you intend to spec your RS Q3 Sportback with big wheels, don’t forget to get this camera system because it will save you from scuffing those gorgeous – not to mention expensive - rims.
Moving to the second-row seating, the seats are comfortable but if you are taller than six feet, you will struggle with legroom and headroom, the latter due to the sloped Sportback roof (it does look cool though). Despite that sloping roofline however, you still get a decent amount of boot space at 530 litres, so it’s a vehicle that you could put your weekly shopping into, as well as do airport runs with.
TURBOCHARGED QUATTRO POWER
The RS Q3 boasts a turbocharged 2.5 litre five-cylinder engine that develops 400hp and 354lb/ft of torque, and it is mated to a seven-speed ‘S tronic’ gearbox.
Plenty of show but what about the go?
The RS Q3 boasts a turbocharged 2.5 litre five-cylinder engine that develops 400hp and 354lb/ft of torque, and it is mated to a seven-speed ‘S tronic’ gearbox, which feeds a Quattro all-wheel drive system. As you’d expect of a modern Audi, this vehicle’s driving dynamics can be tweaked via the ‘Audi drive select’ programme – it offers several modes: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic and individual (individual lets you manually adjust drivetrain, suspension, exhaust and other settings).
If you don’t want to fiddle with these settings, you can leave the vehicle in ‘automatic’ and it will adjust to the way you drive – on one particularly used and abused road, I dialed in ‘comfort’ and found
ADJUSTING TO YOUR DRIVING
The RS Q3 offers five driving modes including automatic which adjusts to your driving style.
it offered a slightly more compliant and comfortable ride. ‘Efficiency’ on the other hand is an exercise in patience, as it turned the car into an eco-focused accountant that did everything it could to save me petrol. I must have tried it for 15 minutes before I thought to myself ‘life is too short’.
This being a RS, I spent a fair bit of time in ‘dynamic’ mode and that’s when I discovered the Audi’s more playful side. It was not an explosive transformation but every time I buried the loud pedal on an empty road or at the apex of a corner, the little green Audi put a big grin on my face. At full throttle the car surges forward with considerable authority, whilst creating a sublime howl that comes into its own from 3,000rpm and carries on to 7,000rpm.
In ‘dynamic’ the RS Q3 Sportback’s ride quality does become quite stiff, while the gearbox holds onto lower gears even at cruising speeds, so I don’t recommend staying in this mode indefinitely. If you are hammering along, you’ll also need to pay attention to your speedometer because you’ll be at finable speeds, even on highways, in a matter of seconds. (I reckon a HUD should be standard issue on any car with 400 horses under the hood.) Audi says this car will do the 0-100km dash in 4.5 seconds and it certainly feels fast, going off the seat of my pants.
At neighborhood speeds, the engine has enough low-down torque to move the approximately 1.8-ton crossover with light throttle application. Unfortunately, when you’re being gentle with the throttle pedal is when the gearbox seems to be at its unhappiest. Shifts can occasionally be felt, and this seemed to be the case regardless of what drive mode I had the RS Q3 in. It’s not a deal breaker because when you’ll appreciate those lighting quick shifts when you’re engaging in a bit of spirited driving. But, considering the price of the vehicle and the fact that this is an Audi after all, I expected more refinement from the dual clutch gearbox.
Verdict
The RS Q3 Sportback exists to address the growing demand for performance orientated compact crossovers. While it isn’t perfect and is quite pricey, there’s no denying it’s a handsome thing with character and more performance than most owners will ever need on the public roads.
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL WITH VEHICLE2HOME Through Vehicle to Home, an Audi’s electric vehicle’s high-voltage battery is not only charged from the home electricity supply for use as an energy source for the vehicle but can also provide storage for the home power grid.
AUDI VEHICLE2HOME COMING TO MIDDLE EAST?
An interview with sales director Alaa Mousa, sales director of German company Hager Group has revealed that it it is working with Audi to bring bidirectional charging at home, otherwise known as Vehicle to Home or V2H for short to the Middle East.
But what is V2H? Well, according to company, the “idea is as simple as it is ingenious”: the electric vehicle’s high-voltage battery is not only charged from the home electricity supply for use as an energy source for the vehicle, it can also be used as a decentralised storage medium for the home power grid.
According to Ulrich Reiner, e-mobility expert at Hager Group, “A vehicle battery can store about as much energy as an average household needs in a week”. The potential storage capacity is therefore considerable.
In the future, the new charging infrastructure will theoretically allow an electric vehicle’s high-voltage battery to be charged from any home connection and also to deliver energy back into the home power grid. Property owners who produce their own electricity from rooftop photovoltaic panels, for example, will be able to store it in their car and then return it to the home as required. The official name of this two-way charging process is Vehicle to Home (V2H). “V2H has major potential for reducing electricity costs of homeowners and increasing both grid stability and supply security in the event of a blackout,” explains Ulrich Reiner. “Using the battery of thousands of electric vehicles to make a significant contribution to climate protection is a vision that has fascinated us from the very beginning.”
What sounds simple in theory is in practice extremely technically complex, requiring perfect coordination between the various technical components – hence the joint project between Hager Group and AUDI AG.
Hager Group, through its subsidiary E3/D3, an expert in photovoltaic home power stations, is contributing the technical know-how behind the charging infrastructure, which will use the battery of the vehicle prototype, based on the Audi e-tron, as an energy storage system for V2H. This is only the start, however. A bidirectional charging system that is suitable for everyday use requires much more: a smart home energy management system to manage the energy exchange with the vehicle when the sun is shining or when electricity is required in the home, for example, and of course a charging station. Hager Group was also able to offer suitable solutions from its product portfolio for this. Implementation of the CCS charging standard was supported by US partner company IoTecha.
VIVE LA EVOLUTION
Renault Trucks is changing the exterior design of its T, T High, C and K models, Paul Daintree, the manufacturer’s design director, looks back at the genesis of these new models
Earlier this year, Renault Truck’s president Bruno Blin revealed that 2021 is set to see developments in the marque’s long-haul (T) and construction (C and K) ranges, in terms of comfort, safety and productivity.
This would be the most extensive development since the total overhaul of the manufacturer’s ranges in 2013, he said in the Spring; and signalling his company’s intent to think outside of the trailer box ahead of this major refresh, Renault let drivers test the T in the video game Euro Truck Simulator 2. This was the first time anyone had been able to test an upgraded heavy goods vehicle, including the driving position and cab layout, virtually.
Things got a little more solid during July when the overhaul of the three ranges received a world premiere. Driver comfort has become a major focus for OEMs, particularly in developed markets such as Europe where recruitment and retention are huge challenges for fleet owners. Consequently, according to the manufacturer, it has made major improvements in terms of both driving comfort and on-board comfort for the well-being of drivers.
The high level of safety for drivers and road users has also been central to the development of the Renault Trucks T, C and K ranges, says Renault Trucks. For customers, vehicle productivity has also been improved, with ever lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and increased vehicle availability, due notably to the related Predict predictive maintenance contracts.
It is also changing the exterior design of its vehicles, adopting a more assertive style, particularly in terms of the headlights, which have been reduced in size in order to increase the painted surface of the lower body section. A new honeycomb grille completes the more modern, sleek design of the 2021 Renault Trucks.
The vehicles are fitted with a new threeaxis adjustable steering column. This enables drivers to adopt the driving position that suits them best, tailored to their morphology, mission requirements or personal preferences.
The column is adjusted using a single foot control to set both the position and the tilt of the steering wheel. Adjustment with both hands on the wheel and instant locking ensures both precision and safety. In addition, the Neman on the column has been replaced by a start button. As an HGV driver spends an average of nine hours a day behind the
THREE PILLARS OF DEVELOPMENT
Renault Truck’s president Bruno Blin said the development of the marque’s long-haul (T) and construction (C and K) ranges has focused on comfort, safety and productivity.
wheel, the seats need to remain comfortable throughout the life of the vehicle and be suited to each driver, says Renault Trucks.
It has therefore redesigned its range of seats and now offers a modular range for complete flexibility in terms of settings, choice of combinations and options. The manufacturer has also introduced new textiles, designed to withstand the many climbs in and out of the cab every day. A leather version is also available as an option.
The 2021 version of the Renault Trucks T, T High, C and K also features new and increased storage solutions. A tablet and smartphone holder has been positioned within easy reach of the driver, providing access to several devices simultaneously and charging
them via two USB-C sockets. A new A4 document storage drawer has also been added.
On the passenger side, the vehicles have two storage spaces with a total capacity of 7 litres (including a 2-litre refrigerated space).
The manufacturer has recognised that a truck is not only a driver’s work tool, it is also where they rest and sleep. The quality of the bed is therefore crucial. For the driver’s well-being and increased longevity of the equipment, it has increased the thickness of the mattress of the “Serenity” bunk by 13% and doubled the number of springs, providing optimal support thanks to a better distribution of body weight. A washable memory foam mattress topper can be added as an option. The mattress is separate from the base, allowing for the use of fitted sheets.
For added convenience, two USB-C sockets have also been added to the bunk area to make it easier to charge electronic devices, while keeping them within easy reach of the driver during rest periods. Finally, to improve sound quality in the cab, Renault Trucks has teamed up with the French manufacturer Focal, for the supply of hi-fi equipment and speakers.
High safety levels for drivers and road users have also been a core focus in the development of the Renault Trucks T, T High, C and K ranges. The new Renault Trucks T, T High and C are fitted with LED lights as standard. As it is closer to natural light, LED light gives drivers a better perception of contrasts and colours. This significantly improves night-time visibility and therefore safety. Another advantage of
OVERHAUL OF THE EXTERIOR
The exterior design of the new ranges adopts a more assertive style. The headlights have been reduced in size in order to increase the painted surface of the lower body section. They are framed by a new honeycomb grille which is desgned to aid aerodynamics.
LED technology is its reliability and longevity. The life of an LED source is up to thirty times longer than that of a conventional bulb.
Additional LED lights have also been positioned on the inside of the doors to illuminate the door sill for increased driver safety when getting in and out of the vehicle at night. For the optimal safety of drivers, their loads and road users, a number of options are also available, including a mechanical anti-intrusion device (safety door-lock), cameras and presence sensors, as well as vision doors providing excellent visibility of pedestrians and cyclists. Finally, the parking brake emergency application reduces the risk of unexpected vehicle movement when the driver leaves the cab, by automatically activating the wheel lock to stop the truck.
Firstly, the cab’s aerodynamics have been improved around the front grille and wheel arch extensions have been added to improve airflow.
Secondly, the vehicles have been fitted with new technology to further reduce fuel consumption. These include a new version of the Optivision predictive cruise control system and an optimised cruise control system with two selectable driving modes. ‘Eco on’ is the default mode and optimises fuel consumption by adjusting acceleration, gear shifting, cruise control and deceleration, whereas “Eco off” allows drivers to change the driving mode. An indicator gives drivers real-time information about their driving style; the greater the number of leaves, the more economical the driving.
A new “Pulse and Glide” function further improves fuel consumption by maintaining the vehicle’s speed around the Cruise Control set point (+/- 2km/h).
Finally, the new Renault Trucks T and T High vehicles are fitted as standard with class A tyres, the most efficient on the market in terms of fuel economy.
In addition, experts in the Renault Trucks network are able to carry out pre-diagnosis, functionality updates and remote adjustments on vehicles. This reduces the number of visits to the workshop and optimises appointments.
Depending on usage and mileage, oil change intervals for vehicles fitted with 13-litre Euro VI engines can be extended to 150,000 km or 18 months, resulting in lower contracted maintenance costs (labour and parts), optimised maintenance schedules with fewer service stops and additional fuel savings.
Looking back at the genesis of these new models Paul Daintree, says the teams at the Renault Trucks Halle du Design have been working on the evolution of the T, T High, C and K ranges since 2018. The reflection has been developed in close collaboration with partner customers.
“It’s crucial for designers to put the end user at the centre of their thinking and decision-making”, explained Daintree. “We organised collaborative work sessions with our customers in the design studio and visited truck stops and customer depots to meet hauliers and drivers in order to understand their needs and respond to them.”
This field work by the design teams, shared with information gathered from the dealer network and the expertise of Renault Trucks engineers, formed the basis for changes to the vehicles in terms of style and comfort.
“The vehicle front has been redesigned to allow more space for our customer paint schemes and graphics,” Daintree added. The front lighting has been totally renewed using LED technology, which not only has the benefit of providing better illumination, but also enables designers to reduce the height of the headlamp unit and fit more features into a smaller area. A deflector has been
OUT IN THE FIELD
Field work by the design teams helped to combine information from the dealer network with the expertise of Renault Trucks engineers. This formed the basis for changes to the vehicles in terms of style and comfort, says Daintree.
THE DRIVER AT THE CENTRE OF DESIGN
Paul Daintree says it is crucial for designers to put the enduser at the centre of their thinking and teams visited truck stops and depots to talk to hauliers and drivers.
KEEPING YOU AWAY FROM THE WORKSHOP
Renault Trucks has developed new technology – as part of its Excellence Predict maintenance offer – for regularly updating the vehicle’s software – at the time requested by the customer without the need to bring it into the workshop.
IMPROVED INTERVIOR
Improvements have been made to the comfort for drivers including a series of features to adjust the driving position to fit their body shape.
added over the top of the lights. “The front proportions have been completely overhauled – the truck has more presence, more attitude and an immediately identifiable focus.”
The redesigned front grille creates a more sophisticated, automotive look. The fold-down function, by which the grille can be turned into a seat or step, stays the same due to its popularity with drivers.
Lastly, the size of the Renault Trucks logo on the front grille has been increased. “We have great trucks and we’re really proud of this new design, so why not show it?” enthused the Renault Trucks Design Director.
The ultimate focus within the interior has been on improving driver comfort: “In terms of driving comfort, one of our customers’ requests was for our trucks to have a car-like driving position,” continued Daintree.
The new Renault Trucks T, T High, C and K have a new three-way adjustable steering column, with a foot operated button, and a keyless start. This makes it easy for drivers to adapt their driving position to their personal body shape and preferences. Improvements have also been made to the comfort of life on board.
“We decided to improve the comfort of the basic bunk, increasing the thickness and the density of the mattress and doubling the spring count,” For optimal comfort, an overmattress has also been added.
The Renault Trucks designers have also created bigger storage spaces and added dedicated storage for telephones or tablets with USB charging points close by. Non-visible storage includes a new drawer allowing an A4 size notebook or tablet to be safely stored.
Finally, for a perfectly relaxing on-board atmosphere, the fabrics and colours have been changed to soften the contrasts and help relax drivers’ eyes, which are put under considerable pressure during driving sessions.
“Although our current seats are really appreciated, we took the opportunity to update the materials, notably by replacing the traditional full leather seat with an embossed fabric. As with the exterior, we are proud to be Renault Trucks, so the logo has pride of place on the seats,” concluded Daintree.
OPTIMISED MAINTENANCE
Renault Trucks has developed new technology for regularly updating the vehicle’s software – at the time requested by the customer – without the need to bring it into the workshop.
This new technology is part of the ‘Excellence Predict’ maintenance offer, which enables the manufacturer to act before a malfunction occurs and thus give its customers greater peace of mind by guaranteeing continuous vehicle availability.
In practical terms, the Excellence Predict offer provides: • A connected maintenance plan that is perfectly adapted to the vehicle’s use. • Monitoring of the main wear components such as the battery, clutch discs and brake pads. • Innovative real-time breakdown prevention technology for 80% of components that could lead to downtime. • Collective and collaborative work between Renault Trucks and its network, enabling proactive management of vehicle maintenance. The scheduling of grouped interventions optimises downtime.
ABB TO POWER BUSES IN QATAR / NEW REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR MICHELIN ALLISON LAUNCHES XFE TRANSMISSIONS FOR MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS
WORKSHOP
ABB brings high-power bus charging to Qatar
ABB TO DESIGN AND COMMISSION CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST FLEETS OF ELECTRIC BUSES
CHARGING
Qatari authorities have awarded ABB a contract to design, supply, test and commission high-power charging infrastructure for what is billed as one of the world’s largest fleets of electric buses. The contract will see ABB provide high power charging infrastructure for the fleet, which is expected to have 1,000 electric buses operating across the country and with a capacity to transport 50,000 passengers a day.
According to a statement from ABB, the move aligns with Qatar’s aim to have 25% of its public bus network operating on electric by 2022, rising to 100% by 2030. As part of this plan, the country will create one of the largest e-bus networks in the world, in a single installation.
Partnering with Mannai Trading Company, Qatar’s public works authority - Ashghal - and fleet operator - Mowasalat - ABB will design and deploy heavy vehicle charging equipment across multiple locations in Qatar including four bus depots, eight bus stations and 12 metro stations. The project scope also includes a three-year service level agreement, the statement explained.
ABB president (E-mobility) Frank Muehlon commented, “As part of ABB’s 2030 sustainability strategy, we are focused on helping fleets to unlock the potential of e-mobility with state of the art and intelligent charging solutions. As the world moves towards green bus fleets, our solutions are at the leading edge to help cities and regions around the world discover the value of electrification and how it can help us all transition to cleaner and greener transport solutions.”
For the project, ABB will supply over 125MW of charging capacity, 1,300 connectors for destination charging and 89 opportunity chargers, four of which will be mobile/ Muehlon pointed out that with this charging solution, the complete Mowasalat electric bus fleet could be charged overnight at the depots and while in use without impacting regular operations, ensuring a fast and convenient charging experience for operators and passengers. As per the terms of the deal, ABB will also provide data connections and interfaces to connect and integrate the charging infrastructure operation into the Mowasalat Fleet Management System for 24/7 fleet optimisation.
AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR QATAR
Qatar has set ambitious goals to reduce CO2 emissions and make a valuable global contribution to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
MICHELIN APPOINTS NEW REGION PRESIDENT
TYRES
Global tyre giant Michelin Group has named Gaganjot Singh as the new president of Michelin Africa, India and Middle East Region. Singh will be based out of Pune, India and succeeds Marc Pasquet, who has been called to other functions in the Michelin Group, said a statement from the company.
Michelin added that in his 10-year tenure with the French multinational, Singh has held various leadership roles in finance, sales and other commercial functions across Asia, Africa and Europe. Since 2019, Singh served as global business model leader – Large Fleets, within the Long Distance Transportation Business Line. From 2016 to 2019, he was the managing director of South Africa Customs Union (SACU), Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.
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WOLF EXPANDS GAS RANGE
LUBRICANTS
Wolf Lubricants says it has expanded its innovative GAS range with the launch of all-new WOLF VITALTECH 5W30 GAS. The new lubricant responds to the growing alternative fuel vehicles market and joins Wolf’s cutting-edge VITALTECH 5W40 GAS engine oil in the brand’s GAS line-up, said the firm.
“The increasing popularity of gas vehicles has been driven by a unique combination of environmental and economic benefits. Growth is being further supported by European incentives to promote the development of alternative fuel infrastructure and the implementation of sustainability legislation,” added a company statement.
As a brand continuously monitoring the car parc and talking with workshops to identify challenges and emerging trends, Wolf has invested in the development of gas-specific lubricants to serve this rapidly growing market.
Currently, 3.2% of passenger vehicles and 1.5% of light duty vehicles are utilising some form of LPG (liquified petroleum gas) or CNG (compressed natural gas) combustion engines. Dual Fuel vehicles – using petrol and either LPG or CNG – make up much of the alternative fuel vehicle market, around 98%.
Wolf’s GAS range features fully synthetic lubricants that have been specially designed to meet the requirements of Dual Fuel, LPG and CNG passenger cars and light duty vehicles, offering complete protection.
“Gas and Dual Fuel vehicles offer a fantastic, sustainable alternative but there is little industry understanding about their unique lubrication requirements,” said Johan Van Hove, senior technical and training manager. “To address this, we established our pioneering GAS range.”
ALLISON LAUNCHES XFE FOR MEDIUM DUTY
TRANSMISSIONS
Allison Transmission has launched two new versions of its xFE fully automatic transmission for use in medium-duty trucks in the EMEA region.
Available now, the 3000 xFE and 3200 xFE models are designed for engines producing up to 370 horsepower and 1695 Nm (dependent on the application), and gross vehicle weight up to 28.5 tons. Compared to the standard 3000 and 3200 Series transmissions, the new 3000 xFE and 3200 xFE can reduce emissions and fuel consumption by up to 3.7 percent.
It also explained that the greatest gains are made at speeds below 20 mph (32 kph), depending on axle ratio, and above 45 mph (72 kph).
A fully-loaded vehicle’s ability to climb an incline at a steady speed without needing to downshift and work the engine harder, also improves under 30mph (48 kph).
These characteristics make the new transmissions particularly well-suited to slow-speed urban applications and stop-start duty cycles such as refuse collection, claimed the company.
“Truck fleet operators everywhere are under legislative pressure to reduce emissions, and of course all fleets would like to reduce their fuel costs,” said Sjoerd Vos, Allison transmission director of EMEA Marketing.
“These could be a critical tool in helping OEMs and fleets make a 15 percent CO2 emission reduction by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030, as required by EU CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles. Doing much more with today’s efficient diesel technology is an affordable stepping stone towards electrification.”
FLEETS UNDER PRESSURE
Fleet operators are under legislative pressure to reduce emissions according to Sjoerd Vos, Allison transmission director of EMEA Marketing.
MADE FOR TRACTION
The Multimax MP 569 has an all-steel casing for durability, alongside an optimised tread design to enable excellent traction when used off-road.
BKT’S NEW TYRE FOR AGRO-INDUSTRIAL APPS
TYRES
BKT has released the new Multimax MP 569 tyre for applications in agro-industrial activities and other areas where heavy loads and high speeds are common. The global off-the-road (OTR) tyre major said the new MP 569, part of its Multimax product line, is designed for use both in agricultural trucks and mixed-use vehicles that see a mix of road and off-road use when transporting goods.
The Multimax MP 569 has an all-steel casing for durability, alongside an optimised tread design to enable excellent traction when used off-road, said BKT. Together, these characteristics provide a comfortable ride and lower fuel consumption due to the tyre’s added stability and lower rolling resistance, added the manufacturer.
The Multimax MP 569 is available in size 445/65 R 22.5 (18 R 22.5), with a maximum load capacity of 5,800kg at 100km/h, at a pressure of 9bar.
Denis Piccolo, product manager at BKT, said: “Agro trucks normally have two different tread patterns on the rear drive axle and the front steer axle, depending on the work they have to do: the rear axle must guarantee more traction while the front axle must have more directional ability.
“The ideal equipment for these vehicles, according to our studies, is achieved by combining two BKT products. The new Multimax MP 569 on the front axle features shoulders that assist traction. It also has, in the central part of the tread, a design that guarantees less rolling resistance and excellent ability to maintain direction. And on the rear axle, FL 633 Performa, ultra-resistant, with exceptional load capacity and durability. It represents the future of flotation tyres, which are also ideal for agro trucks.”
