DRIVEN RENAULT RANGE D
32 TRUCKING Summer 2019 http://www.truckingmag.co.uk
dated) big-cabbed Magnum. However,
there was no such investment in the
middleweight ranges. Instead the ‘new’
Range D rigid distribution trucks came
with the same Premium-derived lower
cab, albeit with a subtle grille makeover
to make them look a little different and a
bit more like the Range T.
14.94-1. The clutch is single plate, and
430 mm in diameter. The truck has the
Optibrake retarder.
The front axle has a 8000 kg capacity
while the rear axles have a combined
capacity of 19,000 kg – split between
11,500 kg on the drive axle and 7500 kg
on the lift-able rear-steer axle. The
wheelbase is 5800 mm.
Overall, the truck had a kerb weight of
7778 kg, which afforded an impressive
payload of 18,222 kg within its legal
GVW of 26 tonnes.
The 4x2 D280 has the same engine, but
delivering 276 bhp at 2100 rpm with a
maximum torque of 1050 Nm at 950-
1700 rpm. The gearbox on the four-
wheeler is an automated Optitronic 6AS
1000 which has six forward and one
reverse gears.
It has a 6500 mm wheelbase, a 7100 kg
front axle and a 11,500 kg rear drive axle
and an unladen kerbweight of 5793 kg,
giving a payload of 12,207 kg.The dash layout is OK,
but not the best in
the industryThe high-roof cab is a
decent place to workAccess to the D280
is via three stepsSpecification
nModel: Renault Range D320 6x2
nDesign GVW/GCW: 32,000 kg
nChassis: 5800 mm wheelbase
nFront axle: 8000 kg capacity.
nRear axles: 19,000 kg, 1:4.300
ratio. 385/55R22.5 tyres (front
and rear axles), 315/70R22.5
tyres (drive axle)
nGearbox: Optidriver AT2412F
12-speed automated
nEngine: DTi8 Euro 6, 7.7-litre,
four-cylinder
nMax power: 315 bhp @
2100 rpm
nMax torque: 1200 Nm @
1050-1600 rpm
nCab: All-steel high-roof sleeper
cab, single bunknModel: Renault Range D280 4x2
nDesign GVW/GCW: 18,000 kg
nChassis: 6500 mm wheelbase
nFront axle: 7100 kg capacity
nRear axle: 10,900 kg. 1:4.13
ratio. 305/70R22.5 tyres
nGearbox: Optitronic 6AS 1000
six-speed automated manual
nEngine: DTi8 Euro 6, 7.7-litre,
four-cylinder
nMax power: 276 bhp @
2100 rpm
nMax torque: 1050 Nm @
950-1600 rpm
nCab: All-steel comfort cabIn fairness, the rigid distribution
sector has never been the French
manufacturer’s biggest field of play in
the UK, and the DAF LF/CF, Volvo FE/FM,
Scania P, Merc Antos and Iveco
Eurocargo were usually better sellers.
But the ‘new’ Range D did win some
friends and is still an integral part of
Renault’s range.
And remember, Renault – along with
Mercedes – are the only manufacturers
to offer everything from car-derived
panel vans through to big tractor units,
and that sometimes appeals to some
operators; a one-stop shop for dealers,
parts and driver training.
The Range D shares the same cab shell
as the Volvo FE, which in turn owes its
parentage to the DAF LF cab. Renault
offers the cab as day, sleeper and
high-roof sleeper; the latter something
Volvo doesn’t offer with the cab because
the high roof extension is plastic, so
unavailable on the FE as it will not meet
Swedish crash regulations.
The 4x2 we drove had the flat-roof
sleeper cab – albeit not fitted out as a
sleeper – while the 6x2 had the high-roof
version offering better room for the
driver. Many trucks of this weight still
have their drivers doing nights out, so
sleeper cab variants are vital.Technical overview
The D320 6x2 rigid on trial here uses the
DTI8 engine, a 7.7-litre in-line six
delivering 315 bhp at 2100 rpm. It
delivers a maximum torque of 1200 Nm
at 1050-1600 rpm. It is a common-rail
direct fuel injection Euro 6 engine which
relies on SCR technology to meet
emission levels.
That is joined to the AT2412F 12-speed
automatic gearbox, which also has three
reverse gear ratios. The range of gears is