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HOME COMFORTS
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What makes a good cab? You need space to move, space to store, an efficient working environment, minimal noise — and a comfy mattress.
To get a European perspective on the latest cab designs CM went to the Netherlands to join Truckstar magazine in seven of the best...
It may not be The Ritz, but a night away in a modern cab is not as bad as some people might think. In fact there are less inviting bed-sits. It's easy to spot a bad cab— but what makes a good cab? Well, tastes vary but you want something you can move around in without tripping over the ashtray;plenty of room to store your gear; and plenty of home comforts such as a heater, fridge,microwave and top-notch CD player. And when it's time to go to bed the mattress should be comfortable enough to have you dreaming about triple-time and clear motorways.
Mercedes-Benz Actros V8 — Me:a Seace The Mercedes comes with the accolade of being Truck of the Year, and in Mega Space guise it promises great things. What you get inside is a typically efficient German layout with an attractive dashboard, good ergonomics, modern plastics and a decent driving position that gives you a commanding view of the road. A multi-adjustable driver's seat proved very comfortable and the curved dash looked purposeful.There's also a large rubber tray on top of the centre console and a handy pull-out tray in the middle.
What you also get is a typically soulless German effort at creating an inviting atmosphere. Yes, there's excellent storage, and with no engine hump there is plenty of room to move around. But it's all done in a varying shades of grey and black —it would be hard to tell whether it was night or day when you woke up.
That said, on the plus side the Actros had a semi-sprung setup underneath the Mercedes branded mattress:the only cab besides MAN to use this approach (other manufacturers please note). As is expected of the three-pointed star it all feels well put together and comes with a 10-disc CD changer, sunroof, a rather smart pull-out fridge below the lower bunk and a large external storage compartment. All in all a good effort, but not an inspiring bedtime partner.
MAN TGA 26.530 — 5 Star
The 5 Star cab is a recent addition to the MAN range and a quick glance inside shows that the company has done its homework.Though obviously not the most important option on the list, the initial sight of a (ventilated) leather covered driver's seat and steering wheel does give an impression of class:This is backed up by the overall bright and clutterfree design of the cab, with an extra set of windows above the doors letting in light at the top of the cab.71-ke seats themselves were excellent; the passenger seat even sports detachable neck and foot rests so your colleague can fall asleep in comfort.
What does stand out is the minimal curvature of the dashboardleaving plenty of spare space to play with. It might not suit all tastes but it does show originality.To add to the feeling of space there's no engine hump, giving good cross-cab access. Headroom is excellent, avoiding the need to duck when walking around.
And to compensate for the lack of a pro truding central console there's a large rear pullout tray below the bed. Storage is adequate with three large storage cupboards situated overhead and map and cupholders mounted on the dash.
Another nice touch was the use of wooden slats on the beds (allegedly a first in this application) to add an extra level of sleeping comfort. Optional extras in this case included a five-disc CD player,sunroof and factory fitted fridge.
Overall this was a very inviting cab with unusual and well considered packaging. 1 t's getting on a bit now but the Magnum has built up a cult following in its time and continues to be a favourite for those who want something different.While the interior's looking a little dated there are still plenty of positives.For a start the cabin feels on the big side —it pioneered the 'flat floor concept — and this helps give it a light,spacious feel.
Although the colour scheme is mostly grey, the metallic silver finished dashboard has a certain retro appeal. though its ergonomics do not compare with those of the Actros.Where the Renault stands out is in its Gallic flair.The folddown table complete with proper chairs derived from the lower bunk is a nice touch and doesn't require a lot in the way of engineering. An added bonus is that the front passenger seat swivels round to align with one of the rear chairs. It's a simple enough idea. but how many other manufacturers offer something similar? It is good to see designers being innovative and producing something individual and yet practical. Magazine/ storage nets are on the back wall and reading or night-time route planning is helped by bendy, extendible spotlights. Further storage is provided by two large overhead compartments. On the downside there are no cup holders and the front seats have to fold forward for the top bunk to come down. Not a bad effort. but despite all that individuality it's still a little dated.
lveco Stalls 540 — Active Space
Widely commended for taking lveco forward, the Strolls has been well received in its latest incarnation and this model comes with the Active Space moniker. But disappointingly the cab does not live up to the hype. For starters the dashboard is not the most userfriendly in its layout (although the centre digital screen is a good idea for displaying information) and the driving position is a little tight for taller drivers.
Casual storage is poor, with only two shallow cup-holders and a small tray for loose items. Cross-cab access is good due to the lack of an engine hump and manoeuvring around was hassle-free.The light grey colour scheme looks rather cheap hut at least the cab has a roomy feel.When it comes to packing your gear away there's better news, with four overhead lockers, a decent sized external compartment and more space below the lower bunk.You even get a large fridge for your tinnies.
Overall, however, the Iveco cabin feels slightly cheap when compared to the competition. It may be better than Iveco's previous offering but the fittings and fixtures don't feel well built and the quality of the materials is poor compared to the Mercedes.
This could be forgiven if it excelled in other areas, but it lacks the flair and thought usually associated with Italian vehicles.
Scania R124.LA 4x2 — Silver Edition
Scanias are held in high esteem by most transport professionals, and the R124 Silver Edition cab is the best the Swedish company has to offer:The silver finish is in abundant supply across the functional, but slightly cluttered, dashboard and also on the surprisingly spindly steering wheel. Finding a decent driving position was easy, with comfortable, adjustable seats and steering wheel to suit most shapes and sizes.
Cross-cab access is limited by the engine hump but overall headroom and living space is among the best.The centre console has a capacious pull-out drawer with an equally useful rubber matted shelf above which incorporates two cup holders.
More serious storage is to be found at the rear of the cab with a bank of five storage cupboards. Underneath the lower bunk there's another storage drawer and a table that folds out next to the driver's seat. Both bunks fold away to give more usable space. A novel feature is the swing-down ladder that allows access to the upper bunk. Not essential, perhaps, but still a nice touch.
While very functional. the Scania lacks distinction. Storage is excellent and overall it feels spacious. But the dashboard is dated and it lacks that individual flair or modern touch that could, and should, have raised its game.
Volvo FH16 610— Globetrotter
irhe latest and largest incarnation of the Globetrotter is one of the newest tractors on the market, and Volvo has high hopes for it. In FH16 guise it's one of the most powerful workhorses on the market. Initial impressions are of a modern, well laid out cab with good quality plastics and solid construction.The driving position was comfortable,helped by an adjustable steering wheel and a modem,wraparound dashboard. Nice touches includes the gold and brown stripes that cross the dash from left to right and the use of brown stitching on the steering wheel and seats A simple touch but it adds to the quality feel and gives the cab a level of individuality compared with, say, the Mercedes, which is its nearest contemporary. Further evidence of quality is the integration of the telephone control on the steering wheel with a built-in receiver in the headrest.
On the downside, the instrument binnacle looks like it was lifted from a 10-yearold Volvo 460 car and the central readout is in a rather dull yellow that's hard to read when stationary, never mind when on the move.The top of the central console could have been utilised better as a holding tray, but storage is generally good with three cupboards overhead and three more at the rear.
While the FH16 name suggests quality, it doesn't stand out.Technology is plentiful, and word is it goes like stink, but more thought could have been given to extending its utility and ambience.This is sleeper-cabbing by numbers with nothing to set it apart from the pack.
Daf 95 530XF
Not so long ago the XF95 was the one to beat when it came to premium tractors; then the FH,Actros and a new Stralis came along to rain on its parade. But the Daf can still cut it when it comes to driver comfort, thanks to its spacious cab and rather low driving position that gives a sense of involvement on the road (though the windscreen is not the biggest in this group). On the plus side, the wraparound dash feels nice and solid, with good ergonomics and superior plastics, An LCD information display mounted between the main two dials displays all major vehicle and travel information.This is relayed via a knob on the console.
The engine hump reduces space, though not to a great degree, and storage is good with a large tray below the console, another above and a pullout tray in the centre. Simple but effective. Decent cup holders were conspicuous by their absence — we counted one and that was on the small side. Simple luxuries like this shouldn't be omitted.
More serious storage is available with three overhead cupboards, the largest concealing a factory fitted microwave oven. Underneath the lower bunk is a large pull-out fridge with three more storage compartments: all very useful.
Overall a good attempt that doesn't seem to have dated dramatically.