S For Superb

Unusually, our latest Cab Test doesn’t compare two trucks but concentrates solely on the long-awaited Scania S-series, making Truck & Driver the first UK journal to spend a night in the new big-hitter. So, is it any good?

- Pip Dunn

Like buses, completely new truck cabs do not come along all that often, and after a quick glut of unveilings – new Mercedes Benz Actros, Volvo FH4 and Renault Range T – there’s been nothing new for some time. It’s been 20 years since Scania launched a wholly fresh cab, the 4-series cab having broken cover in 1995 and started production the following year. The New Generation Scania cabs were finally launched this year, and the phrases ‘eagerly anticipated’ and ‘long awaited’ have never been more apt.

The new Scania cab comes in two main types – R and S. The latter is the top-of-the-range flat-floor version and has four-step entry compared with three for the R, while the former has a 160mm engine hump. Externally, aside from the badge, the S-series is more noticeable as it has an extra slat in its grille as well as having a more imposing presence.

The previous range of trucks (also called the R-series) had three main sleeper cabs – basic, Highline and Topline (as well as day and rest versions). The new trucks come in two guises – standard sleeper and Highline (a low sleeper for car transporters is mooted for next year).

The S-series is available as the S410, S450, S500, all with the sixcylinder 12.7-litre engine, and the S520, S580 and S730 with the iconic V8 16.4-litre motor.

The subject of this test is the S-series Highline – the biggest cab available in the new range – in 6x2 twin-steer S450 form.

Ease of access

Entry to the cab is via four sturdy steps, each having excellent grip, and excellent handrails afford good grip too. Four steps is a bit of a pain when you are loading up the truck with your gear for a week on the road but it’s the price you pay for a fully flat floor. Assuming most drivers will not be taking all their gear out too often, it’s not a major inconvenience.