The Hannover Exhibition is becoming more and more like a monument to itself. The development of new technologies has led to the fact that only a large concern can develop and produce a truck. After all, the release of a model requires huge funds - from several billion dollars.
It is not surprising that really new cars appear every couple of decades. And at each exhibition, cars of only one company are completely new - this year these are the flagships of Scania.
It was difficult to approach the newest Scanias. Even in the absence of visitors, they stood surrounded by tripods and other photo and video equipment.
Show-stoppers in Hannover are traditionally Germans, as the hosts of the exhibition. In a huge black and white pavilion concern Daimler- all production line. But attention is drawn not to serial Atego-Antos-Arocs-Actros in endless versions, but to ordinary, but never seen before exhibits.
A four-axle concrete mixer is an ordinary phenomenon for Europe. But why is it made on a special Econic chassis with a low cab? Apparently, scavengers and firefighters (the main consumers of the model) do not buy them as willingly as we would like. 
Small-tonnage Mitsubishi registered in Europe for a long time. A van with the famous "Plzensky Fest" (as this beer is historically called) - but on an all-wheel drive chassis. Where, I wonder, are they going to deliver it? Such a solution would be suitable for Russia - it's a pity, such trucks are not delivered to us. 
The Daimler concern also has a separate Fuso brand, focused primarily on the markets of Asia and Africa. The tall spring tractor assembled in India is designed for a total weight of 65 tons, and it will go to work in Kenya. Under the cabin with a sleeping bag from Mercedes-Benz models Axor has a 12-liter OM 457 diesel engine with a capacity of 400 hp.
Another Indian brand, BharatBenz, brought a single truck typical of the area, but on five axles. Alas, this Indian colossus is rather weak. At 37 tons of gross weight, it has a power of only 230 hp. 
A sharp contrast was the American serial Western Star 5700. The new slick tractor looks very impressive and is also built on Mercedes units. And here is the Freightliner standing behind - the already well-known prototype of Inspiration ("inspiration"). 
Updated tractor unit stood out with a delicate light green color of the cabin. The costumes of stand attendants were designed in the same colors - a kind of "color differentiation of pants" in action. 
In the absence of major new products, Iveco had to make do with special versions of serial trucks. Among several Stralis tractors, the one that pulled the motorhome of the legendary Formula 1 racing team, Ferrari, stood out. And no contradictions, because Iveco and Ferrari belong to the same concern - Fiat. In addition to the color, which is called "Ferrari red", the front part is trimmed with carbon-look plastic to emphasize belonging.
The racing theme was also noted in Renault. In addition to well-known cars, the French brought their T520 racing car. The two-axle machine is in no way inferior to competitors in terms of power (1050 hp) and components, but the results of Dakar (6th place) and Silk Road (7th place) this year are not particularly impressive. Nevertheless, the Czech company MKR received another order for the construction, and three such machines will already be released at the start of the next Dakar. 
Among the many Volvo cars stood out " workhorse"- a typical European four-axle dump truck. But this FMX has the latest rear drive axle lift system, and even a “creeping” gear in the gearbox. It is impossible to imagine such off-road in Europe, where it could be needed. 
The most interesting DAF was exhibited not at the manufacturer's exposition, but at the booth well-known company, producing cargo bells and whistles. In general, this is the usual XF105, but with one "but". Dutch atelier Winkoop has begun taking orders for an extended cab called the XXF. The 80 cm insert even required a frame lengthening. Until now, only the Swedes differed in such extended cabins.
And the most "evil" exhibit is located on the street near the same Daimler pavilion. And for good reason, because this is a product of the "court" studio Paul, which used to be famous for its multi-axle chassis for oil workers. Alas, there are less and less orders from small manufacturers, and they themselves come to exhibitions less and less. Nevertheless, the Bavarians brought their latest brainchild: a three-axle all-wheel drive special vehicle for huge wheels. Its purpose is explained by the inscription on the cabin "gas, current, water" - for power engineers. Moreover, it was built not by adding a middle axle, but by shortening the Arocs 8 × 8 chassis with replacement rear suspension to pneumatic. This wheel formula remains popular in the mountainous regions of Austria and Switzerland.
Nearby stood another Mercedes, even heavier. But no: despite the emblem and nameplates, it was assembled by another small but reputable Titan studio. For more than forty years, it has been building custom-made heavy machines for transporting indivisible oversized cargo. He assembles ordinary SLT 8×4/4 tractors under a contract for the head brand, and similar single ones - on pre-orders. The cost of a 250-ton five-axle tractor 4163 exceeds three hundred thousand euros. 
They compete with another studio that specializes in mana conversions. Karl Maurer, a well-known company in our country, produces such strange 4x4 and 6x6 chassis with a turning cab under the name Cobra. They are designed specifically for the installation of a "chipper", and in the process of work, the driver becomes the operator who controls the process. 
What is a Volvo two-axle tractor doing at the Dutch booth? And this is not Volvo, but the Dutch Terberg. The company practically left the market of multi-axle dump trucks, which it was famous for, into the niche of terminal tractors. And this is a demonstration of their development - a hydraulic drive front axle. Alas, here they are clearly late, such innovations have long been in the program of both Mercedes and MAN, and they are not particularly popular. 
The Czech Tatra is still alive. It was brought to the exhibition by a German dealer who sold it for last year a little over fifty cars. He predicts a great future for the all-wheel drive tractor in the construction sector; alas, in Europe there is no off-road that requires the famous spinal frame. 
Five years ago, they would have told me that purely our GAZ would go to Europe for an exhibition - I would have laughed, but I had to believe, as GAZ believed in Hannover 2016.
GAZ Group is the only manufacturer from Russia that made it to Hannover 2016. And this is in the midst of a crisis and international sanctions! Not otherwise, the group got a second wind and money, which, as everyone knows, is not superfluous.
GAZ Group issued a stylish model line, which even has common design elements.
It's good that not only our girls are exported, but also GAZ.
Now everyone saw that not only over production beautiful girls work in Russia. Gazelle, Lawn and Ural also did a good job, it looks like it was the hand of one designer.
There are no plans to enter the German market yet - Nizhny Novgorod cars do not yet reach the Euro-6 standards that are mandatory here.
Hannover 2016 is the largest international truck trade show and being here is a must for building international connections with the whole world and brand prestige in the future.
In the GAZ and URAL group, I became closer to Europe.
We have nothing against if the developing countries of Europe buy our inexpensive buses.
Looking at such a wonderful bus, you involuntarily recall the hard worker PAZik, after all, our auto industry also has progress.
The five-ton GAZon Next CNG, for example, with a domestic engine is equipped with gas equipment and is capable of traveling 370 km on compressed natural gas (with seven cylinders) without refueling. Engine - 149 hp (maximum engine torque on gas - 490 Nm). GAZon is produced with two types of cabins: a standard three-seater and a double seven-seater and with two versions of the wheelbase - standard and extended.
And what progress with the 1967 Volkswagen T1!
Still, he's cute!
Already deep in the night, on the eve of the opening of the exhibition, a professional jury determined the winner of the Van of the year competition for the new Crafter. In this annual competition, Volkswagen was able to outperform the Peugeot Expert, Citroën Space Tourer and Toyota Proace. In addition, the Germans managed to consolidate last year's success, when the T6 family was named the van of the year.
Volkswagen Crafter- the main novelty of the exhibition, a car that VW built, independently of Mercedes. It has front, rear or all-wheel drive, 3 lengths and 3 heights, manual or automatic. A total of 69 modifications for every taste.
Volkswagen Crafter: Start of sales in Russia - in the spring of 2017. The assembly is only in Poland so far, in the same place where the Caddy is produced.
e-Crafter- while walking in the status of a concept car at Hannover 2016. The engine power is 136 hp, hence the maximum speed is only 80 km / h, but the cruising range is 208 km and the carrying capacity is 1.7 tons. There is no word yet on the price and even the launch of production, this is more of a response to the greens, who are strongly up in arms against Volkswagen because of the diesel gate scandal.
E-Crafter - concept.
MAN TGE- Crafter's twin brother, after all Brand MAN is part of the VW Group. The design and technical stuffing are completely identical and the Germans are only studying the question of how the same car will be sold with two different nameplates and which one will be cheaper. But given the concern's vast experience in badge engineering, I hope there will be no problems with this.
MAN TGE - world premiere
volkswagen transporter rockton - the most off-road version of the minivan. Ground clearance 246 mm and maximum effective protection all vital units.
Volkswagen Transporter Rockton
Volkswagen Amarok received not only a 3-liter diesel engine, but also an extreme version of the Snowcar, which surpasses the Canyon in terms of equipment. The most important thing is that a factory warranty is given for all improvements and there will be no questions from the traffic police for such cars. In Europe, the V6 diesel will be the only available unit for the Amarok. We also plan to keep 2-liter pickups, and especially for us, simplified versions will be supplied that do not meet Euro-6 standards. Transmission is traditional - 8-speed automatic ZF.
Volkswagen Amarok
This could be an ambulance now.
Mercedes concept car received diode illumination of the radiator grille and an extremely aerodynamic shape. It turned out beautifully, but will such an egg reach mass production?
The main trend in the world of big trucks is also perfect aerodynamics + ultimate lightness. But only Mercedes can afford to be elegant, most competitors respond to Stuttgart with aggression.
Mercedes concept car
Urban eTruck from Mercedes.
But who only dreams of conquering off-road is the new all-terrain version of the Mercedes Citan Tourer with an optional plastic body kit around the perimeter. Ground clearance has grown quite a bit, the drive has remained front, but the driver should feel more confident on the road. Although, to be honest, it’s hard for me to imagine how the driver feels, who was sold under the guise of a Mercedes Renault van Kangoo.
Electric minibus Iveco ready to go on line. The power reserve, of course, is not enough for a day, but the developers emphasize environmental friendliness and absolute silence, which is especially important in the center of many Italian cities.
Italian style concept from Iveco. The ideas of the crazy Luigi Colani were not in vain, but when you see such a “muzzle” in the rearview mirror, you will get a lot of emotions.
Bosch does not manufacture trucks, but makes many components for them. The main idea of this exhibition is the unification of cars into a single information network and the function of an autopilot in a column. In addition to relaxing rest for the driver, such a system promises to reduce fuel consumption and provide an even higher level of safety on the roads.
Concept from Bosch.
magna continues to dream of creating an all-electric truck and has already prepared everything necessary for this. A pair of electric motors are compactly interlocked with rear axle, the battery is hidden in the bowels of the frame, but when driving on the highway with constant speed The efficiency of such an installation is not very high. Main application similar systems- Intracity transportation. I wonder if there will be buyers for such trucks or will we have to wait for repressive and preferential measures from the city authorities?
Something from the future.
Renault Alaskan. Following Nissan, Renault also showed its pickup truck. Looking like an oversized Duster, the Alaskan is as unassuming on the inside as the crossover. It is possible that the French did it on purpose, because very soon, on the same chassis, Mercedes should show its pickup truck and there should be no competition between these brands.
At the exhibition of commercial vehicles, Renault Alaskan tried on two special versions at once - a light crane with an off-road ambulance.
Renault Alaskan: maybe such ambulances will appear in Russia too?
Renault Alaskan - a crane for new suburban areas.
How well the Renault emblem fits on the dress of the stand girl and racing truck Renault K520 4x4 team MKR Adventure. We applauded her on the Silk Road 2016. Dakar is ahead.
Volvo Iron Knight- the fastest truck in the world and one of the most spectacular show-stoppers of the exhibition. With the help of 4 turbochargers, 2400 hp and 6000 Nm were removed from the 13-liter engine. Acceleration from standstill to hundreds takes 4.6 seconds, and a top speed of 276 km / h. Among other things, it also seems to be the most fast car Volvo on the planet.
Volvo Iron Knight is very fast.
Among the buses Several interesting novelties can be noted, but from the point of view of design they are not particularly expressive, the main thing is economy and ecology. For intercity models, everything is stable, on long hauls, alternatives modern diesel simply no. Engines are being improved, gearboxes and aerodynamics are being optimized, and the design is being facilitated wherever possible.
But city buses are at a crossroads. Major players: Mercedes, MAN and Volvo showed completely different models. The Stuttgarers are pushing for the use of methane. The technology seems to be not new, but clearly in need of improvement. MAN showed hydrogen bus on fuel cells, with a battery and electric motors, and the Swedes have relied on a hybrid. In the conditions of a ragged urban driving rhythm, all three ideas have the right to exist, and it is possible that we can even see symbioses of these ideas. For example, meta new bus with a hybrid power plant. However, while combining all these technologies in one machine, only common sense developers. Any new technology is already quite expensive, and their combination threatens to drive the price into the area of astronomical figures.
Well, a few curiosities from the world of commercial vehicles. For professionals, these cars probably look like the norm, but I, a passenger motorist, were shocked by some. Here, for example, is a miracle Yudo timber carrier. Its cab can be rotated 180 degrees, so that without leaving the passenger compartment the driver can control the crane with a manipulator and independently load the logs into the body.
Miracle lumberjack.
Push-pull.
Isn't it a wonderful push-pull design. 4WD and 4WD Janus two-faced truck. Each cabin has its own steering wheel and a full set of controls. In the middle, it is supposed to install a fire extinguishing module. Such a car should be indispensable in the event of a serious emergency in the tunnels, which abound in a significant part of Europe. The truck boldly enters the tunnel on one side, and when the work is done, the driver changes to another cab and easily returns to the light.
Level with the floor.
And for the first time you pass by this truck on the Mercedes chassis without paying attention. But then, looking back, you can't believe your eyes. Ruthmann has developed a chassis that allows you to completely get rid of the rear suspension beams, and even provide lowering cargo platform level with the ground. The guys are not the first time experimenting with similar chassis and offer 4 load capacity options, from 2 to 8 tons for a variety of tasks. The maximum lifting height of the platform is 160 cm.
Off-road trucks deserve special attention. This is largely piece goods, which is bought by lovers of extreme travel, as well as specialized companies and military. Each of them has its own requirements for technology and hence the use of various technologies. But always all-wheel drive and with huge ground clearance. They seem to be able to overcome everything.
Army Mercedes-Paul
Studded tires on trucks are a real rarity, but the most different types chains are the norm and in some regions their presence is a prerequisite for passing to the pass in the cold season.
In addition to traditional chains that are worn on the drive wheels, the German company Rud, which also produces chains for ordinary human shoes, has developed a unique and at the same time simple solution that can be installed on almost any truck - Rotogrip. When driving on an icy road, the driver from the passenger compartment can press the corresponding key, and special rollers with chains attached to them will drive up to the drive wheels. The roller is driven by the wheel and the chain itself falls under the tread, thereby improving traction. Having passed a difficult section, the chains are also remotely retracted to a safe distance. For this operation, the driver also does not need to leave the cab.
What people do not come up with, making life easier for themselves! They came up with a car dealership in Hannover 2016, where we hope other manufacturers from Russia will follow GAZ. And then all together and to us!
Hannover 2016 - to be continued.
Transport drones and electricity of the future, a multi-armed monster and the good old KamAZ - all this at the next show in Hannover
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Being at the IAA for the first time - the largest cargo exhibition in the world - you seem to shrink in size. On the endless stands, where heavy exhibits are piled up, it's time to get lost. You walk and wander, raising your head to the tall cabins ... I wonder how the process of mounting such an exposition looked like? And where to start? The answer suggests the congestion of the public. The focus is on a few concepts that truck manufacturers rarely indulge in - and all the more interesting.
vision van. It is likely that one day something similar will be the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Here is the audience crowding at the Mercedes-Benz stand. Here stands Vision Van - a project of a light-duty carrier from the future. The driver of this fit to pay half the salary. After all, in the back of a sophisticated system of sorting cargo: it chooses and puts forward the right one for unloading when the van arrives at the addressee. A parcel weighing up to two kilograms can be delivered by smartphone-controlled drones with a range of 10 km. Vision Van is an electric vehicle with a range of at least 80 km and a predicted maximum of over 250 km. The system is quite vulnerable (imagine that your smartphone is not charging, the drone collided with a bird, etc.), but it is effective. Nearby at the stand is the electric medium-duty Urban eTruck: lithium-ion batteries promise a range of 200 km. For example, for a garbage truck just right. Urban, on the other hand, means "urban".
Urban eTruck. Load capacity 12.8 tons, wheel motor total power about 340 hp and a bunch of auxiliary electronics that keep in touch with the Internet. An autonomous driving mode is also expected. Drivers of the future will first of all need the ability to operate numerous applications in tablets and smartphones.
Crowded and in the territory of Volkswagen. Already on a completely “earthly” occasion: the new generation of the Crafter model is solemnly presented here. Surgically polished exterior, rich interior, interesting electronic assistants. Gross weight up to 5.5 tons, cargo compartment volume up to 18 cubic meters, 2.0 TDI turbodiesel develops 102-177 hp, MKP6 or AKP8. Vans are offered with several options for the length and height of the body, passenger and onboard versions. And three drive versions: front, full 4MOTION and rear. The talented VW Crafter has already won the international Van of the Year 2017 award. And he even got an electric modification of the e-Crafter, which was also presented in Hannover. Another premiere of the company was the VW Amarok with a V6 3.0 turbodiesel with a power of 204 hp. Ljubo? And expensive!
Volkswagen e-Crafter. Load capacity 1.7 tons, 100 kW electric motor, promised power reserve of about 200 km. Serial production is not far off.
The crowd poured off the VW booth and tidal wave rolled into the neighboring booth German company MAN. Main premiere… still the same Crafter! That is, its clone, MAN TGE. This is the first modern small-tonnage company. Differences with the Crafter are in the cladding and emblems. And again the same words about progress, versatility, exceptional efficiency and benefits. For a moment, it seems that the entire current IAA revolves around Crafter / TGE. Is it one of the ideal trucks of the present?
The previous generation VW Crafter was developed in collaboration with Daimler, and now in partnership with MAN. True, the TGE model does not have an electric modification (yet?). But this one appeared on the basis of the TGS 4 × 2 tractor - it has an electric motor with a power of 250 kW and an unexpectedly modest power reserve.
Let's follow the crowd of curious people again. Attention to the stand of the Italian company Iveco. The cover has just been pulled off the Iveco Z concept truck, created in collaboration with the fuel company Petronas. Wow! The highlight of the exhibition has been determined! Z is from the word zero, zero. So, the promise is "zero" air pollution and zero stress for the driver. A 460-horsepower tractor that looks like a Star Wars prop. refuels with liquefied gas, which should be enough for as much as 2200 km.
Iveco Z. The most impressive exterior at the show. And surprisingly uncomfortable interior.
I climb into the cab and am taken aback. Is it a truck or an office? And this “flyer” is a steering wheel? The driver's seat by today's standards is space. When parked, the rear of the cabin slides back 50 cm to provide more comfortable access to the kitchen, shower and bed. In twenty years, we probably will no longer be surprised at such decoration. In the meantime, the Z tractor is a fairy tale with a lot of reservations. For example, there are almost no compartments for small things. In general, wait and see.
“You know, we didn’t really bother with the design.” Bosch VisionX is not a truck at all, but ... like a pavilion. The windows of the cab have been replaced with screens, and if you climb into it, you will see how Bosch demonstrates its future on the screens: autonomous driving in a convoy, pictures from rear-view cameras and a stream of supporting information from the Internet. The symbolism is dizzying. How to drive such a car?
But to another major (literally) serial premiere after a press conference, it’s not at all possible to break through at once. To the queue cars. This is a new generation of the Swedish long-range truck Scania R and S. The design is largely traditional, but the R and S cabs are completely new with reinforced frames and “four-story” lighting equipment. The S version has an "inner world" with a flat floor, which most European competitors do not have. I stood in line for the R with the engine tunnel, climbed in and slammed shut - how comfortable it is inside! What meticulous attention to detail! And safe: Scania is one of the first to offer inflatable side curtains.
Scania R and S. The Swedes already have the international Truck of the Year award in their pocket, which, however, was won almost without a fight: new generations of long-range vehicles are a rarity.
Engines are economical and environmentally friendly, meeting Euro 6 standards: in-line 13-liter 410-500 hp. or 16-liter 520-730 hp. Transmission: Robotic Opticruise with manual shifting - now more agile. An increased base, an upgraded chassis, improved cruise control ... Authoritative "cargo" colleagues who have already had a chance to ride the new Scania pour compliments on smoothness, sound insulation, maneuverability and traction. The car was successful. Another one of the ideal trucks of the present? But the sworn competitors of the Swedish Volvo and the Dutch DAF did not present anything outstanding from the serial at the exhibition.
A four-axle Dutch DAF could be bought at the exhibition for only 21 euros.
However, Volvo rolled out The Iron Knight (“Iron Knight”) here. Creepy thing! The fastest truck in the world, based on the Volvo FH. The car driven by Swede Boye Overbrink, a former tractor-trailer racer, has recently broken several records. A distance of 500 m was covered in 13.71 seconds with an average speed of 131 km/h, a kilometer - in 21.29 seconds with an average speed of 169 km/h. The maximum speed was 276 km / h.
Diesel "Iron Knight" develops crazy 2400 hp. and a torque of 6000 N∙m.
The "Americans" stand apart. On European roads their path is practically ordered - due to the limitations of road trains in length. But the exhibition in Hannover is worldwide. Here is the streamlined prototype of the Inspiration Truck - this is a Freightliner Cascadia Evolution tractor with "autonomous" technology from Mercedes-Benz, moreover, allegedly, it has received the right to leave the road common use. Under the hood is a 400-horsepower Detroit DD15 engine. Next to the serial Western Star W5700XE with a similar engine, this one can be bought even now. Yes, that's just empty at the booth: no booth in cowboy costumes, no employees, no curious people. Curiosity and nothing more.
7 PHOTOS The "Americans" are lost in the main exhibition. But in a separate hall of the exhibition, older examples of the best models from the USA are collected. Kenworth, Peterbilt, International… For those who understand! One disappointment: the cars are private and the cabins are locked.
Show trucks are also not in favor with manufacturers of commercial vehicles. It was all the more curious to suddenly see a multi-armed monster with grapples at the ends of four telescopic arrows. That's how the Japanese do it. The right-hand drive contraption is called Fuso Spider (“Spider”), is based on the Super Great V model and is powered by a 338-horsepower engine.
In my opinion, a tiny electric Renault Twizy looks like a no less spectacular show car - a kind of pony among Percherons. You will laugh, but a little one with a booth one chair wide was designed cargo compartment and put in all seriousness. For postmen, right? Another curious show car showed up at the Nissan booth. Prototype EnGuard Concept based on pickup truck Navara designed for search and rescue operations. The asset is a 190-horsepower diesel 2.3 and auxiliary batteries. In the back of the box with rescue equipment (lanterns, walkie-talkies, etc.) and a drone that can operate within a radius of 6 km. A display pops out from the side, showing a picture from the drone's camera. You will definitely be saved.
Fuso Spider. How (and why?) to operate with four arrows is a mystery. But the transformer robots applaud the arachnid.
But it was even more interesting to find a booth of… GAZ in the open area of the IAA. Debut of the Next! There was a pleasant breath of the Motherland, all the more so because at the presentation, Europeans surprised by the quality of products were given vodka and black caviar to drink. What was presented? Two Gazelles Next, two Lawns Next (one per gas fuel), Ural Next and the new Kursor bus. Why are they in Europe? Cummins engines and YaMZ, meeting only Euro 5? The main goal is to tell about yourself on international exhibition not so much in Europe as in the whole world. Priority overseas markets for GAZ: the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and left-hand drive Asian countries. Good luck.
Euro 6? Work on such engines is going to be completed in 2018. Then it will be possible to Europe.
Tractors. Buses. Vans. Campers. Miracles-yuds with rotary cabins and manipulators. Semi-trailers. Tuning. Spare parts. Having slightly gone crazy from the main exposition of the IAA, you can finally relax in the huge pavilion of old-timers. What is not here! More precisely, there are now many brands. Bussing, Gutbrod, Faun, Hanomag, Henschel, Krupp, old Mercedes, old Setra buses and the British double decker Bristol. From trucks that have seen more characters of Erich-Maria Remarque to ... our native KamAZ - only restored in the "wrong" colors. All outlandish cars on license plates, everything is on the move and can still move on public roads!
A minibus is taking me out of the exhibition, outside of which various trucks of various colors are dragging along German roads. For the time being, focused drivers are driving. But the day is not far off when it will be possible to quote the fantastic story of Stephen King: “There was no one in the trucks. The sun reflected off the windows of the empty cabins. The wheels turned on their own." And we will perceive all this as ordinary as we now perceive some kind of rain sensor or rear-view camera.
The meeting place cannot be changed: the largest exhibition takes place in Hannover every two years commercial transport IAA. It is clear that it is impossible to cover all the interesting exhibits in one report, but we will try to talk about new products, concepts, trends ... And about the GAZ Group, which for the first time showed its model range here.
When I told my friends that on the only press day of the IAA-2016 exhibition, 70 conferences for journalists would be held, all of them at the stands of manufacturers, at first they didn’t believe me: they thought I was joking. If. After all, there are 13 pavilions here, not counting the stands between them. The journalists were in shock: before there were two press days, and the conferences were held on the first day, in a convenient multi-hall center, while the stands were still being completed.
And after all, there is no crisis in the European auto industry: according to the results of the first half of the registration commercial vehicles in the European Union increased by 13.5% (in the light segment - by 13.2%, in the medium and heavy segment - by 16.5%, buses - by 2.7%).
And the world production of commercial vehicles is mainly on the rise: in Europe - plus 3.5%, in North America - plus 7.5%, China slowed down a bit, plus 1.7%. Perhaps because this time the presence Chinese car industry in Hannover was not as prominent as two years ago.
But there was an event that I almost missed! Having received an invitation to the Volkswagen evening before the exhibition, at first I wanted to refuse, but in time I noticed the inscription “Volkswagen Truck & Bus”, that is, “trucks and buses”. New brand? Turned out to be a union. VW decided to merge its truck brands: MAN and Scania, as well as the commercial division of VW itself and the Brazilian VW Caminhoes Onibus (which also makes large trucks and buses), group-owned. In addition, the group includes the supplier of "electronic intelligence" Rio, and the American Navistar has become a partner of the group.
MAN TGE, like Volkswagen Crafter, can be a truck, van or minibus - with front, rear or all-wheel drive
Inside, the MAN TGE differs from the twin VW Crafter only by the emblem on the steering wheel
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Of course, Daimler, which sold 851,000 commercial vehicles in 2015, cannot be compared to the new group, but 179,000 vehicles over the same period are still a lot.
leader divisions of Volkswagen Truck & Bus became Andreas Renschler
Andreas Renschler is in charge of the association (he previously headed the cargo division of the Daimler concern and stood at the origins of Daimler's cooperation with KAMAZ), and there is already a joint product, the low-tonnage MAN TGE, the twin of the newcomer Volkswagen Crafter. We begin our review of the exhibition with the TGE photo - it differs from the Crafter only in its facing and emblems, and the idea of appearing this model in the Mann range is simple: if a buyer of large trucks and buses also needs small ones, everything can be “wrapped together” and paid with one bill.
In the meantime, Volkswagen itself has demonstrated an electric version of the Crafter, but commercial electric vehicles are not so simple yet...
electric cars
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Following Mercedes, he built a similar truck based on production model Antos - Urban eTruck. Its carrying capacity is 12.8 tons, battery charging lasts two hours, the declared range is 200 km.
Low mileage per charge is the main problem of electric trucks: not only are they very expensive, and the batteries are heavy (here, according to our information, they weigh 2.5 tons), they also have a limited range. You can’t recharge such cars like buses at bus stops!
Yes, and ultra-wide single tires (pictured below) have not found application on serial trucks. It is problematic to place such a spare wheel on a car, even more so to change a wheel.
Mercedes is late with electric buses: an electric model is planned to be shown in 2018, and this “bus of the future” is equipped with a conventional diesel. But there is CityPilot - a smart autopilot that allows the car to move along a dedicated lane with little or no driver participation. Trial operation has already taken place in the Netherlands on a 20-kilometer route.
MAN presented its prototype electric truck based on the TGS tractor. The car looks traditional, and the promised range on a single charge is only 50 to 150 km. This, perhaps, is even scary to send to “close combat”!
Barely having time to debut, the new Volkswagen Crafter received an electric version: its carrying capacity is 1.7 tons, the range is up to 200 km, and the batteries can be recharged up to 80% in 45 minutes.
This is how MAN sees the bus electric future: a ten-minute "air" recharge will provide the "accordion" Lion's City up to 20 km. Operation of prototypes is planned to begin in 2018, their mass production— in 2020.
Europe is gradually conquered by "electro-Chinese": two "harmonicas" hitherto unknown to us by CRRC are being tested in Graz, Austria. Charging - high-speed, at stops or final.
Concepts
Iveco, together with the fuel company Petronas, has built a full-fledged concept truck, called Z: it should provide Zero (zero) air pollution, accidents and stress for the driver. It is assumed that in the parking lot, the rear wall of the cabin, in which the kitchen table and shower are built in, will move back 50 cm. Ladder retractable to the side - - exactly like a cabover tractor unit Freightliner Argosy, long out of production in the US. Not only is such a concept unsafe (the tractor suddenly becomes wider), but also the ladder turned out to be shaky
In the Iveco Z cab - solid conceptualism: an armchair with active suspension and "the steering wheel of the imperial stormtrooper" instead of the steering wheel.
As conceived by the creators, the tractor will be refueled with liquefied gas, the supply of which is enough for 2200 km of track.
The look under the cabin is depressing: empty engine compartment, rusty chassis and "legs" on which the concept relies. This is just a layout!
The Bosch VisionX concept truck can’t drive – and it doesn’t have any units or even windows! Because it's an electronic solution demonstrator...
Like video mirrors, a touchscreen on the dashboard and a projector of readings on the windshield.
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Stoneridge Electronics offers truck manufacturers to replace mirrors with video cameras: they are three to four times more expensive, but, as promised, they save 3-4% of fuel. Legislatively, such a replacement is not yet allowed, however, it is possible that cameras will be legalized in 2017.
exotic
Daimler set aside a whole corner of the hall for models of its non-European brands and partners - from America, Japan, India, China. But there was not the slightest mention of KAMAZ here! In the foreground is the experimental Freightliner Cascadia Evolution, equipped with an autopilot, followed by the serial Western Star W5700XE (both from the USA) and school bus Mercedes made in India.
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What is a Chinese Mercedes? Almost: since Foton and Daimler founded joint venture, the Chinese decided to make "their Actros". It’s hard to say how licensed it is, but the cabin is with a flat floor, the interior (pictured on the left) is almost like the Actros MP3 model, the Mercedes engine, the gearbox are the new ZF Traxon “robot”. Yes, and there are no complaints about the quality - with the exception of jammed door seals. According to unofficial information, the cost of the tractor is 55,000 euros.
In India, Daimler has a BharatBenz plant, where they make such trucks - with a cab and engine from the Mercedes Axor model.
The Fuso Spider is a show truck based on the production Super Great V.
The Fuso brand is wholly owned by Daimler.
The Japanese tractor Fuso TV has a tall saddle! And the Mercedes components: both the power unit and the cabin, along with the interior.
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Sweden's Boye Overbrink raced trucks in the 1990s and is now setting record-breaking races in tractors built by Volvo. This Iron Knight car, the "Steel Knight", is equipped with a 2400 hp engine, and on it Overbrink broke records over a distance of 500 m (13.71 s at average speed 131 km/h) and kilometer (21.29 s at 169 km/h). Maximum speed - 276 km / h.
We have never seen a DAF XF105 tractor with such a cab! The car was redesigned by the Dutch Van Winkoop studio, extending the serial cabin by 90 cm. But you can’t attach an ordinary eurotrailer here: the train will be oversized.
Two axles in front, one in the back: Paul, the courtier Mercedes “remodeler”, turned the four-axle Arocs model into an unusual three-axle 6x6 by order of power engineers.
For Europe big buses with the Volkswagen emblem is exotic, but for South America it is normal. The chassis for them is produced by the Brazilian division of VW, the body - in this case atelier Marcopolo.
Our
“GAZ is Gazprom?” the Germans were surprised. The GAZ Group came to Hannover for the first time, and even with a whole range: two Next Gazelles, two Next Lawns, a Ural Next dump truck, a bus and a YaMZ-536 engine. So far, the task of the gas workers is not to sell their cars in the European Union (all the samples shown meet Euro-5 standards), but to acquaint Europeans with the brand and products.
Russian exotic: after the press conference, GAZ treated journalists to vodka and caviar. This, according to foreign colleagues, has never happened before!
Since alternative energy sources are in vogue in Europe, the methane Lawn Next was at the GAZ booth.
The new bus, 9.5 m long, manufactured by the Likinsky Zavod, also bears the GAZ emblem and, in addition, received the name Cursor.
What did KAMAZ do in the hall of veteran trucks? It was lovingly restored by the German owner, albeit with deviations from the historical truth (for example, KAMAZ never had a blue chassis and chrome mirrors). And the brand of Omskshina tires on the plate is written as "Omskwina".
Other
The Bundeswehr brought to the exhibition a Swiss-made Mowag Eagle V armored car - an analogue of our Tiger, only a four-seater. Under the hood is a Cummins ISBe 5.9 diesel engine, the gearbox is Allison automatic.
A high tunnel runs along the entire cabin. In addition to the steel armor (it is thinner), a composite one is installed outside (photo on the right).
And this is just an old "American" Peterbilt 379 - one of those brought to Germany and participating in various shows. Nothing out of the ordinary, of course. But how effective!
The most amazing veteran truck is the experimental Büssing, built in 1971. The engine and the “automatic” gearbox are located in the base, the carrying capacity is 12 tons. Volkswagen wanted to order fifty of these cars for their own needs, but it didn’t work out.
The Italian automaker has brought the small-tonnage Talento to Hannover. The novelty has four turbo diesel engines with a volume of 1.6 liters of varying degrees of forcing. Power: 95, 120, 125 and 145 HP In Europe, the price of the car starts from 23,430 euros. Competitor one hundred And t opposite. This new nissan NV300. At press conferences, one after another, manufacturers say that the small-tonnage segment in the Old World is growing. This is where the competition intensifies.
Volvo crossed a bus with a tram
At Volvo bus 7900 Electric Hybrid diesel-electric power point. The bus can travel along the route using diesel engine, but in areas where the movement of cars with an internal combustion engine is prohibited, the driver turns on the electric traction, and Volvo turns into an electric car. Batteries are recharged at the final stops. The bus connects to the charging pylon by raising the charging bar. The same as on a tram or electric locomotive.
Nissan introduced the mid-size truck NV300
Lawn Next CNG and other premieres of the IAA-2016 in Hannover
Nissan NV300 debuted in Hannover. The car was equipped with a diesel engine with a working volume of 1.6 liters. Motor power varies from 95 to 145 hp. In Europe, the car will compete with Renault Trafic and Opel Vivaro.
One of the main trends is the optimization of loading space. Japanese engineers did this too. As a result, a system of shelves appeared in the body, which allows optimizing the loading of goods.
The e-NV200 electric car settled nearby. Looking under the bottom, we will see that the ground clearance under the traction battery is quite modest. In Russia, this will be difficult to drive. However, the electric truck will not be brought to us.
