28 | READERS' CHOICE
Irish Truck of the ‘Fleet Tran • Readers to choose their favourite Truck of the Past 10 years
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alling all transport operators, managers, drivers and enthusiasts! The time has come to select the Irish Truck of the Fleet Transport Decade. This unique accolade will be presented to the truck chosen by readers of Fleet Transport as their top choice over the ten winners of the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year in the past decade. From the list below please nominate your overall winner by email to awards@fleet.ie, by Twitter – twitter.com/ fleettransport or on facebook by 31 July. Just one nomination is allowed per voter and the truck with the most votes will win this unique honour and title. Once all the votes are collected the overall winner will be announced in the September edition of Fleet Transport. Five of the voters who select the most popular top truck will be presented with a goodie bag full of branded merchandise. That
vehicle in question will then take pride of place at the Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin on the 10 October next. As well as having the truck on display, the brand distributor will receive a special trophy to mark the occasion. “To mark the tenth anniversary of Fleet Transport, what better way than to ask our readers to select their favourite truck of the past decade based on the ten winners of the Irish Truck of the Year, starting with the 2004 winner right up to the current title holder," explained Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport. “As you will see from the list there is a high quality line-up to choose from, with some brands having multiple entries due to their launch programme over the ten years. Th is will make for an interesting vote count at the end of July,” he added. The Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Award is presented to the truck, which has made the greatest contribution to road transport
efficiency in terms of innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel consumption and emission reduction. As per the list below, many of the contenders were crowned ‘International Truck of the Year’. Let the game begin to select the ‘Irish Truck of the Fleet Transport Decade’.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Mercedes-Benz Actros II Scania R-series I MAN TGL DAF XF105 MAN TGS/TGX Mercedes-Benz Actros III Volvo FM.11 Scania R-series II MAN TGX Mercedes-Benz Actros IV
2004 - MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS II
2005 - SCANIA R-SERIES I
When Daimler launched the second generation Mercedes-Benz Actros, its claim to fame was the electronic sequential gearbox that was called ‘Telligent Gearbox’. Using high-tech electronics, gearshifts were pneumatically activated and together with a load-sensing system on the fi ft h wheel coupling, the correct gear was selected. Braking force was much improved also.
Often termed the 5-series as the newly launched R-series replaced the successful 4-series from Scania. In replacing the number designation the Swedish brand went for letters with the R/G/P-series covering all applications. Litt le was changed from the familiar Scania ‘look’ except for a few curves in the cab’s exterior here and there. It won the 2005 International Truck of the Year.
2006 - MAN TGL
2007 - DAF XF105
MAN’s light/medium truck range the TGL scooped the 2006 International Truck of the Year Award, an unusual outcome for a non-heavy duty vehicle. At that time MAN had made great advances in producing an efficient distribution vehicle and had begun developing a diesel/electric hybrid version. 2006 will be remembered for MAN’s plans to take over Scania. Litt le did we know that both brands would eventually come under the Volkswagen Group.
Up against the Renault Premium Long Distance, the DAF XF105 won the 2007 International Award with 86 points, 25 more than its French rival. It was powered by a 12.9 litre fuel efficient engine mated to a ZF gearbox in both manual and automatic formats. A restyled exterior and an entirely new interior design continued DAF’s excellent standards in this sector.
FLEETTRANSPORT | APR 13
READERS' CHOICE | 29
nsport’ decade launched
2008 - MAN TGS/TGX
2009 - MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS III
In succeeding the TGA – the new Truck Generation from MAN, the German marque produced two distinct models for heavy duty applications. The flagship TGX for long haul work was marketed alongside the TGS which was designed for National distribution and also to cater for the construction sector. Fuel economy, driver comfort and total cost of ownership efficiencies all round were appreciated by operators and the press.
The second of the Actros runners in this competition is the third generation of the Mercedes-Benz flagship range. Although credited with pushing the boat out for increased use of electronics in trucks, some of these systems did have their gremlins. Actros III sorted all that out with problems to the transmission and brakes a thing of the past. It won the ITOY in 2009.
2010 - VOLVO FM.11
2011 - SCANIA R-SERIES II
In introducing the 11 litre engine in the FM range, Volvo had a fuel efficient light weight powerplant that best suited National distribution and applications where payload was paramount. “Due to its light weight and adaptability, we have put together a specification for the petro-chemical industry and also for supermarket delivery,” stated a delighted Göran Nyberg, Head of Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland at the time of receiving the Irish Award.
The latest Scania R-series, with a refreshed look and upgraded drivetrains, took the International award with much fanfare and secured almost double the votes over the other contenders - the Volvo FH.16 and MAN TGL/TGM. Operational economy and a unique support system that spurs the driver to adopt more efficient driving habits helped to secure top marks.
2012 - MAN TGX
2013 - MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS IV
Fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions were to the fore with this model, as were build quality, interior space, driver comfort, safety, new technologies, innovations and dealer back-up. “MAN is totally customer focused and the Irish award is a vote of confidence in the brand,” stated Michael Hynes, M.D., MAN Importers Ireland.
The all-new Actros, the fi rst totally new heavy-duty truck from MercedesBenz in almost two decades has made serious waves in the industry. Featuring a fully new award-winning design, new Actros was the fi rst truck to fully comply with Euro 6 emission controls while improving on the fuel economy over the previous Actros in Euro 5 guise.
Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
www.fleet.ie