Howard Shanks was one of a few technical journalists selected to test-drive Scania‘s New Truck Generation (NTG) family when they first arrived down under. The NTG family, comprising P-, G-, R- and S-series cabs, focuses on driver safety, and all models are available in either Euro 5 or Euro 6 emissions compliance.

Scania say the launch of their NTG family is designed continue the company‘s market expansion and sales growth over the next decade, and contribute to a more sustainable transport industry in Australia and New Zealand.

“The introduction of the NTG range, the safest and most fuel-efficient in Australia, is an absolute milestone for the Scania here,” says Mikael Jansson, managing director of Scania Australia.

“It is undoubtedly the biggest investment in our 127-year history. As a global truck company, we have spent 10 years and AUS$3 billion researching and developing the new range as well as covering more than 12 million kilometres testing our new designs in all climates and on all types of roads.

“The most noticeable features are of course the new cabs, but the real innovation is the introduction of new technologies, safety features, services, and insights that will help our customers gain an accurate overview of some of their most significant operating costs.”

Mikael says on average across the range, Scania‘s new trucks will consume around five percent less fuel and emit fewer emissions, particularly those equipped with Euro 6 after- treatment.

“We‘re not only focused on the hardware. Our digitalised connected services provide further tools for enhanced optimisation of fleet and driver utilisation. We have unparalleled ability to tailor-make a specification to suit operators‘ needs across a very broad array of applications, and coupled with our focus on driving down costs and eliminating waste for operators, we can demonstrate quite clearly how our NTG provides increased value to customers.”

Judging by the response from operators in Europe, who Mikael says have ordered record numbers of the NTG, Scania has scored a direct hit.

“In test after test by media across Europe, in isolation or compared with direct rivals, the NTG has emerged as the best possible option in all of its formats, from long haulage to urban distribution and vocational applications.”

The new trucks launched in Sydney are focused on the long and medium haul markets (S-, R- and G-series) as well as urban distribution (P-series), the new XT bulk construction materials handling range, along with the famous 4-door, 6-seater Scania CrewCab for the mining and firefighting market segments.

Consistent with Scania‘s long-standing ability for customers to tailor the specification of their vehicles exactly to their requirements, Scania‘s famous modular drivetrain components have been thoroughly renewed to deliver significant fuel economy savings compared with the vehicles they replace. Scania‘s in-house gearbox range is now fitted with a layshaft brake to speed up gear changes for smoother and more frugal performance.

Scania claim that together with significant advances in aerodynamic design, the mechanical upgrades deliver at least five percent better fuel efficiency across the range.

Scania is introducing a new 7.0-litre Euro 6 engine for P-series applications, while the heavily revised and updated, cleaner and more frugal 9.0-litre 5-cylinder, 13-litre 6-cylinder and 16-litre V8 engines are all offered in Euro 5 and Euro 6 guise.

Continuing as the King of the Scania range is the 730hp V8. It‘s now available across the R- and S-series ranges in Euro 6 guise.

The dash looks very much like you’d expect from a next generation Scania, certainly an evolution of the breed.

A plethora of controls on the door sill. Looks expensive.
Unlikely to be getting one of those from the wreckers. 

Handy pull-out table.

Storage shouldn’t be an issue

Unique safety features

Scania‘s New Truck Generation comes to market in Australia and New Zealand with a number of unique features designed to make the driver‘s workplace safer, more comfortable, and more convenient. Chief among the unique innovations is a side curtain airbag fitted into both driver and passenger doors, designed to offer occupant protection in the event of a rollover. Scania estimates the side curtain airbag could result in a 25 percent reduction in the number of drivers killed annually in rollover accidents. The side curtain airbags join the standard driver airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioners, and an uprated braking system.

Most noticeable up front is the new front suspension with the front axle moved 50 mm forward to provide a lower centre of gravity and less dive under braking.

Scania say these chassis improvements increase stability and ride comfort, while reduced stopping distances – up to two metres shorter in some cases.

The new cabins are said to be an even more robust all-steel impact resistant cab with improved driver visibility.

Metro models get the new City Safe Window. This is inserted into the lower segment of the passenger door to provide truck drivers with much-needed additional visibility of cyclists and pedestrians who may otherwise be hidden from view at street corners or traffic lights.

All NTG models benefit from re-profiled A-pillars, redesigned and improved mirrors, and a repositioned driver‘s seat to improve the driver‘s visibility at intersections.

The prime mover range boasts Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB), which provides semi-autonomous protection, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Active Prediction that monitors topography for improved fuel saving strategies, Electronic Stability Programme, and Lane Departure Warning.

To maintain driver health and reduce fatigue, Scania is offering access to a new, fully integrated auxiliary cab cooler that runs on battery power to maintain constant cabin temperatures when the vehicle and driver are at rest.

All NTG V8 powered Scania prime movers are fitted with full LED lighting front and rear as standard, including Daytime Running Lamps. LED headlamps are available on other models, replacing the standard H7 halogen units.

Living in the V8 and 500hp G-series cabs becomes more convenient with standard additional storage cupboards replacing the traditional (second) upper bunk, which is rarely utilised in Australia and New Zealand. In the V8, the driver‘s pocket spring mattress extends to a full 1000mm wide.

New P Series has a big face and new engine options targeting metro discharge and pick-up for line haul operations.

More efficient, lower emitting engine ranges
Scania will offer V8 power across several outputs: 520hp and 620hp with Euro 5 compliance, and 520hp, 580hp, 650hp and 730hp outputs in Euro 6 guise.

Demand for Euro 6 compliance in the previous V8 range began to accelerate through 2017 as more large fleets sought to reduce their environmental impact or comply with their customers‘ carbon reduction requirements. On-board fuel capacity has been increased to 1100 litres for the Euro 6 compliance V8s, and 1210 litres for Euro 5 compliance.

In the 6-cylinder, 13.0-litre category, Scania offers its most powerful in-line engine yet, at 500hp with 2550Nm (1881lb/ ft) of torque. This will be available in the G-series prime mover cab, rated for medium duty B-double and single trailer interstate and intra-state work, as well as for urban tipper and dog applications.

The G-series 6-cylinder engines will be available in Euro 6 at 370hp, 410hp, 450hp and 500hp, and identical outputs in Euro 5 with the exception of the 370hp engine which is offered at 380hp for Euro 5.

In the urban distribution and vocational truck market, the new P-series will be offered from launch with a broad range of 5- and 6-cylinder engines, in both Euro 5 and Euro 6 trim, starting with the 5-cylinder 280hp, 320hp and 360hp outputs, rising to 370hp (380hp for Euro 5) through to 450hp for the 13-litre 5-cylinder.

The P-series will also debut the new 6-cylinder lightweight 7.0-litre engine in Euro 6 guise only, in 220hp, 250hp and 280hp outputs, further assisting customers with additional payload, especially in the key applications like single trailer supermarket deliveries.

Scania say their order books are now open, with the first deliveries expected early in the second half of the year.

Certainly a same-but-different thing going on.