Scania G400 - A TruckLocator Review
Broadly speaking, you could say there are two sorts of trucks in the market. There are specialist trucks designed to fill a specific niche and more generalist wagons which address a wide range of tasks. The Mercedes Axor is an example of the former. It was produced to meet the needs of 24/7 supermarket fleet operators. These people operate their fleets 24/7, with the trucks stopping just long enough to change trailers and drivers.
The operation of the Axor, therefore, had to be simple. These operators don't have the time, especially at night when most offices are closed, to teach drivers how to operate specific features, such as electronic automatic transmissions. The Axor was designed for just such fleets, with standardisation and simple designs for everything from the sleeper cab to the layout, instrumentation and manual gear box.
Typical Used Scania G400 - Here in Drawbar configuration
The other type of truck is the all-rounder: a truck that can be used for a wide variety of jobs. This is where the Scania G-Series comes in. The G-Series offers a choice of five cabs: three sleepers, a day cab and a short cab. They sit in the Scania range between the P-Series and R-Series, offering enhanced comfort over the P-Series.
Getting into the Scania G-Series is accomplished via easily accessed angled steps.
Inside the Cab
Once inside, the driver can choose from the standard upright driving position or the more laid-back 'Formula 1' posture. The floor is semi-flat and doesn't present much of an obstacle when moving around, but to get changed with comfort you need to stand in the passenger foot well.
The dashboard, meanwhile, is familiar Scania. It is a wraparound arrangement where the ergonomic design has everything just where you expect it to be. Off-duty and out of the driver's seat, drivers will feel they have left their workspace behind, such is the targeting of the cockpit environment. Secondary controls such as the electric mirrors and windows and heater controls are situated on the door tops, just where the driver's arm naturally rests.
Euro 5 Power for the G400
Engines include the turbocharged and intercooled DC-13 05: a Euro 5 compliant 13-litre six-cylinder unit with Scania XPi and selective catalytic reduction (SCR). This engine develops 400bhp and is easily up to the job. The Scania G-Series also has the two-pedal Opticruise auto gear change option fitted to a 12-speed box. It just needs the wheel-mounted stalk turned to 'D' and a press on the accelerator pedal to be on your way. Extensive use of cruise control and automated gear changes provide the best economy and the easiest usage. The performance of the Scania G-Series is better than average in its class and the power output perfectly matched to the 10bhp per tonne standard.
The driving experience is helped by typically great Scania mirrors, with the main ones giving only small blind spots and the convex ones above providing excellent back-up views along the truck sides. Handling on the Scania G-Series is nearly perfect and that Opticruise transmission has a neat trick up its sleeve. It gets information from the GPS on the route ahead and prepares to change up or down well in advance, smoothing out gear changes. The brakes are close to perfect too and the technical package is enhanced by a whole suite of driver aids which inform the driver on how he can improve his driving style for better fuel efficiency.
There is a good level of driver creature comforts to be had in the standard sleeper cab, with plenty of storage bins and an optional fridge. With a robust chassis and that Opticruise system, Scania G-Series Tractor Units are a good bet for most operators' needs.
