trailer world issue Two 2010

8 Issue Two 2010 Future I an integral part of the foreseeable trucking future”, says Stefan Knecht. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be mineral diesel, adds the expert. Fu- els made from biomass, liquefied natural gas or other new sources will be driving the diesel engines of the future. On condition that a func- tioning infrastructure can be put in place, hydrogen could also have a future in combustion drive systems for trucks. “We’re not going to just throw away nearly one hundred years of combustion engine know- how!”, argues Knecht. This view is shared by leading commercial vehicle experts, in spite of all the euphoria surrounding alter- native drive forms. MAN’s innovative truck with its new, stretched design still offers enough space for al- ternative accommodation of additional units. From solar collectors generating solar electricity via thermal recuperation encompass- ing all the heat produced in the engine itself and in the brakes, they contribute to providing the necessary power. New length regulations necessary However, the aerodynamic shape of the new concept semitrailer train with its enlarged space requirements would demand changes in the length regulations. “We will need a total length of 20 metres to accom- modate the same number of pallets as a conventional trailer”, says MAN chief engineer Knecht. Customers are not going to accept any reductions in payload, which would be counterproductive in terms of cutting the overall costs. The MAN Concept S also needs new approaches to the logistics environment, for example at the contact point to the loading ramp, load distribution and access to inside the trailer. On the other hand, an aerodynamic truck loses some of its advantages when trans- porting containers, with the square-shaped container still offer- ing too much air resistance. Other questions about the Truck 2025 concept looked at radical changes to the cab. But for the time being, these issues remain highly hypothetical. There are no medium-term plans to ac- tually put Concept S on the road; instead, it is intended to provide inspiration for technical implementation and political acceptance. The future begins now Iveco has taken a compar- atively small leap in time to 2015 with its “Glider”. The research laboratories in Turin prefer to con- centrate on current road- worthiness rather than on far-distant studies. Inspired by the physiognomy of an eagle, essential features of the Iveco Glider focus on optimum aerodynamics, omitting bulky outside mirrors, for example. Flap control for the cooling-air inlets and passage of the head wind through the truck frame are just some of the aspects intended to make the wind a partner in the search for efficiency, as in the eagle. Electricity for accessory units In their search for efficiency, the Italian designers have come up with several innovative solutions, Graphics:Hoffmann,Photos:Willms,Krone »There‘s still a future for trucks with combustion engines.« Stefan Knecht and Holger Koos from MAN

trailer world issue Two 2010

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