We must admit, this is one of our favourite fleets in the country. A unique mix of new and old Volvos, ranging from the latest Euro 6 equipment to some superbly turned out retro kit from the ‘90s, there’s so much to like here. Plus, pretty much everything has a manual gearbox!
We do love a manual gearbox here at T&D. But we’re also realistic, and know that they’re very much a niche item these days. Daf and Scania will still offer you one on most of the range and you can get certain Mercedes-Benz, MAN and Iveco models with a stick, but not on big cab tractor units. Volvo and Renault have stopped doing them at all. There just isn’t a demand for them beyond owner-drivers, small family fleets and certain specialist applications.
Why would you even want one? Some folk are flabbergasted that there’s other people out there who still prefer a manual. In some cases they’re being deliberately obtuse about it, because driving a truck is a tactile, emotionally rewarding experience in a way that something like driving a forklift, or fitting double-glazing is not.
The latest autos are now so fully integrated into the truck, if it doesn’t have the ability to self-shift then you’re not getting the full range of technology benefits such as predictive cruise and eco-roll.
But then again, having a clutch pedal gives you an ultimate level of control at low speed. You can limp a manual out of harm’s way, or home, in certain situations where you could not with an auto. For most of the people still specifying manuals though, it’s about the enjoyment of driving. Shifting gears with a lever and a clutch pedal is satisfying. There’s also a valid train of thought that if you’re doing the gears yourself, you’re a lot more focussed on the job.
This story is from the August 2020 edition of Truck & Driver.
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This story is from the August 2020 edition of Truck & Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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