Scania has pitted a 1992 Scania Streamline 143 head to head with a new-generation Scania S 500 in an attempt to showcase the advances made over the past 24 years.
The result? A reduction in fuel consumption of 25 per cent and a drastic drop in nitrogen oxide of 95 per cent.
The two trucks each conducted six identical 140 kilometre runs, with the two drivers swapping half way to level the results. The older truck was powered by a 14-litre V8 engine while the new truck had a 13-litre straight six – both typical of logging trucks of their respective times.
The 143 was in showroom condition, having been sourced from the Scania museum in Sodertalje, Sweden, and both trucks carried identical loads. The new truck had a clear advantage in this respect, its lighter weight allowing a greater payload in real-world conditions and, subsequently, requiring fewer trips to accomplish any given job.
Powertrain specialist AVL was called in to log the results.
Henrik Wentzel, a senior engineer at Scania, said the result underlined many improvements in truck design and manufacture.
Engines have become more efficient, as well having greater torque and power for their size. Aerodynamics has been improved, semi-automatic gearboxes have reduced fuel consumption, rear axle ratios are lower, auxiliaries have improved and the curb weights are lower.
"It's confirmation that the improvements that we are gradually introducing produce consistent results over time," said Wentzel.
"That's the way it is with the development of diesel engines. There's no revolutionary fix for everything, and instead it's all about working hard on the details.
"This experiment provided really pleasing results. Our increased focus on fuel consumption and harmful emissions has given good results."