Of the three vehicles, the TGM had by far the
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highest mileage, with more than 380,000km achieved in its three years on the road. The CM group test would prove to be its final UK ‘job’, because the following day it was being shipped to Russia.
The 237hp output is the lowest of the three available from the 6.9-litre engine (the others are 276hp and 326hp), and the L sleeper-cab is the alternative to C day-cab and the smaller version of the LX sleeper.
It was the only truck with an automated transmission, and there was some scrambling among our testers to see who would get to drive it on the final leg of the route over Sun Rising Hill on the A422.
The 12-speed Tipmatic is standard, and there are some who would question the need for so many gears. It had four more gears than the Scania, and six more than the Midlum.
Perhaps more important is how automation works for drivers who do multi-drop or travel through cities. It takes the stress out of driving, allowing the driver to put more concentration into watching road traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.
A speed memory system will activate the braking system once the speed is exceeded. To activate it, all the driver has to do is dab the footbrake. Use the accelerator and it cancels it – a very neat trick. At 85km/h on the motorway the TGM cruised at 1,500rpm. By switching to manual, the engine can lug down towards 1,200rpm for smaller hill climbs rather than make an unnecessary change down the box.
Cruise control is found on the steering wheel, along with controls for the engine’s ECU display.
The seating position gives a good view of the road. Considering the mileage and numerous drivers, the interior of the cab has held up well. The only signs of ageing were a little vibration in the mirrors, an unspecified rattle from the bunk, and the steering wheel was set off-centre.
TGM is a robust truck at 18 tonnes, both in the way it drives and manoeuvres. Although the 6.9-litre is the smallest engine, its power matches the Renault Midlum and has a tad more torque across a broader rev count.