Renault Trucks has held a glitzy launch of its new C and K ranges for the Middle East, with the range of vehicles available for customers and and journalists to test drive on the Losail International Motor GP Circuit.
The C range is designed for long-haul and certain construction applications, while the heavier duty K range is heavy duty construction and off-road applications. Key improvements are improved durability to the vehicle chassis, following extensive testing, both in the field and in the controlled conditions.
Of 50 trucks sent worldwide for field testing, one K500 was sent to Oman, to Oman Rocks quarry near Muscat, where it was used for hauling of aggregates, up to 120 tonnes.
The K500 was powered by a DXi 13 engine, generating 500hp. The new Euro 3 engines – the DXi 7 for the C range, and the DXi 11 and DXi 13 for the C and K – have been supplied by parent company Volvo.
Notable features on the K range include the best approach angle in the market of 32°, and a front bumper made with 100% steel with headlamp protection.
The trucks are available with a number of gearboxes, including an upgraded Optidriver automated transmission, manual gearbox, as well as an option from Allison Transmission.
The face of the vehicle has also been radically redesigned, with the logotype placed lower, over the grille. Speaking at a gala evening event, Renault Trucks Design Director, Hervé Bertrand, who has received several awards for the new designs, noted that the large front piece would be able to sport the customer’s logo – not the truck maker’s.
The launch event was attended by the President of Renault Trucks, Bruno Blin, as well as Lars-Erik Forsbergh, President of Renault Trucks Middle East, and Dominique Pollien, Renault Trucks Middle East and Africa, Senior Vice-President.
“In developing the C and K ranges, we have deployed significant resources to ensure these vehicles deliver maximum reliability,” said Blin. “Each range has undergone rigorous quality trials and have also been exhaustively field tested under actual operating conditions. Ruggedness, driver comfort, payload, pulling capacity, and easy body mounting are the features which set these trucks apart and make these the perfect tools for demanding businesses.”
Pollien said that the truck maker was hoping to double its regional sales in the next two-three years, off the back of new C and K ranges, as well as other new model introductions, including the facelifted D range, which was introduced last year and also available for customers to test drive at Losail.