Having been nominated on multiple occasions without achieving the top spot since 1991, Renault’s new Range T scored a resounding win in 2015, securing the International Truck of the Year (IToY) award for the first time since the original AE Magnum. The scoring saw the new Renaults capture 129 votes, with the DAF CF in second place on 81 and the new Mercedes-Benz Atego in third spot on 49 votes.
In June 2013 Renault had announced a comprehensive review of its entire model range, which was heralded as being one of the most ambitious product launches in recent years. Rather than a rolling, phased approach, Renault presented the market with Range D distribution, Range C construction, Range K heavy construction, and Range T long-haul trucks simultaneously.
Whist the D and lighter C models used a face-liVed version of the existing Midlum and Premium cabs, the Range T featured a brand-new design which started with a blank piece of paper in April 2006. The new ranges were developed with a €2bn budget following approval from the Volvo Truck Product Board, and the heavy Volvo contribution to the chassis architecture and drive line consolidated the French manufacturer’s place in the group following the adoption of Volvo-derived DXi engines in 2005.
When announced, the bold styling of the new model and its unusual green/brown corporate livery drew some adverse commentary, but as is oVen the case in such circumstances, the revolutionary became widely accepted in no time at all.
The Range T offered four cab variants; the day cab, the “night & day” cab which was a flat-roof sleeper, the standard sleeper, and the high-roof Range T High, which stood at 3.9m tall excluding the air-kit and accommodated a flat floor. The regular-height cabs all had an unobtrusive 200mm engine tunnel.
When viewed from above, the cabs were trapezoid-shaped and measured 2.3m at the front, flaring out to 2.5m at the rear, with the windscreen inclined to 12 degrees. Air deflectors were integrated into the headlamp unit and aerodynamic bumper extensions, new chassis fairings and roof deflectors combined to improve the drag coefficient by up to 12% on the previous model. A quirky red plate with silver inlay mounted on the cab side carried the model designation, being T with a horse-power rating suffix.
The inside of the cab provided a much-improved living and storage environment compared to the out-going Premium model and this included a 680mm wide mattress which pulled out to 800mm. The Optidriver automated gearbox control was column-mounted and the automatic electric parking brake manual control was under a dash-mounted flap, leaving a clear cab floor.
Range T was powered by new Euro-6 diesels with the 10.8-litre DTI 11 common-rail engine at 380hp, 430hp and 460hp, and the 12.8-litre DTI 13 with unit injectors offering 440hp, 480hp or 520hp. These engines were all matched to 12-speed automated transmissions, with a 14-speed manual gearbox still on the options list.
Words & Pics: Richard Stanier – Credit: IToY
