When we think of Ireland and high powered trucks, the usual assumption is it’ll be a Scania V8. Ever since the days of the 140, the Irish have continued to buy the highest powered offerings from one Swedish manufacturer, while shying away from the other.
True, there were F89s and plenty of F12s sold, but we need only point to the fact that not one new F16 was ever sold in the Republic of Ireland. Let that sink in for a minute. There were a handful sold in the north and registered on the northern (UK) system, but the only ones ever registered on Republic plates were a few which came in second hand from the UK.
The original FH was a huge success offering a level of comfort that far exceeded anything that could be offered by Scania, but Irish buyers were reluctant to take the plunge on a 16-litre model. Perhaps tales of high fuel consumption from the original F16 were still making buyers wary. Besides, once the 460 engine was introduced back in 2000, they had a serious contender which was known to show a clean pair of wheels to many a 164 480 despite all the bluster about V8s. Continuing with the version two and three, not much had changed in Ireland, the vast majority of buyers sticking with the well proven 13-litre with 480, 500, 520, or even the 540 if you were really lucky as a driver.
Things seem to have changed a little with the fourth generation FH. That’s not to say the country is awash with FH16s, but there certainly are a few more than in the days of old.
Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Truck & Driver.
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Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Truck & Driver.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years