F2000 8x4 rolls into UK
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by John Kendall • MAN will launch the F2000 eight-legger chassis next January to replace the old F90 8x4s in the UK. There will be two F2000 8x4 ranges, one designed for heavy on/off-road use; the other for general onroad tipping work.
Specification for the heavy on/off-road chassis will include steel suspension, hub-reduction drive axles and straight-beam front axles to give maximum ground clearance.
The on-road chassis will be the first UK eightwheeler with rear air suspension as standard. A prototype installation of the rear-air-suspended bogie was shown on an F90 8x4 at Tipcon (CM 410 May).
To reflect its lighter applications, the specification will include singlereduction drive axles and drop-beam front axles, which offer less ground clearance. Both models will be offered with a choice of wheelbases.
As with F90s, sleeper or day cabs will be available.
MAN will probably follow the trend set by the F2000 tractive units by offering the Eaton S-series synchromesh gearbox as standard. It is likely that the Eaton Road Ranger constant-mesh box will also be optional, but not the Twin Splitter. No 6x4 chassis will be available as the F2000 is too heavy for 6x4 use, but MAN Truck & Bus UK is investigating a 6x4 based on a lighter model; probably the M90. Fl The F2000 8x4 is expected to be joined by the Euro-2 vee-10 F2000 tractor early next year.
The flagship model is due to debut at next month's Paris Truck Show with up to 600hp on tap.