FAW SA launched new FAW medium-weight truck range
FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA has launched a new FAW medium-weight truck range specifically engineered for the local market and built in South Africa for the southern and central African markets.
Yusheng Zhang, CEO of FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA, explains the rationale behind the introduction of the new medium-sized truck range.
“Our decision to introduce a medium weight truck range was based on customer demand and market opportunity. Our market analysis confirmed the need for a vehicle as durable and rugged as our heavy and extra-heavy trucks, but with smaller dimensions to handle a different working environment.
“Including this latest investment into acquiring special tooling and towards specialised training, we have invested in excess of R800 million over the last four years in South Africa.
The FAW 8.140 FL will be available in: a drop-side, a taut-liner option, a van body, a tipper, a rollback and a dry-freight insulated body
“The new FAW 8.140 FL carries all the hallmarks that FAW trucks are renown for, namely strength, reliability, easy operation, and most importantly, delivering on the promise of a ‘truck built for Africa, in Africa”.
The FAW 8.140 FL will be available in a number of body derivatives – a drop-side, a taut-liner option, a van body, a tipper, a rollback and a dry-freight insulated body.
Customers may choose to buy the chassis cab and fit their own truck bodies to suit many other applications, up to a gross combination mass (GCM) of 14 ton.
The parallel chassis frame and smooth top flange chassis construction has a distinct low-weight advantage, especially when mounting a steel sub-frame cargo body.
The suspension is of the straight ladder-type with semi- elliptical leaf springs, together with front double acting shock absorbers and rear auxiliary springs. The axles, graded for a permissible 3 ton in front and 6 ton at the back, provide ample carrying capacity.
A drivetrain to match load and speed In a business environment where total cost of ownership is always top of mind, it has become imperative that the most cost-effective combination drivetrain be engineered to deliver the best levels of efficiency and durability.
FAW’s new medium truck range, built with local pride Adding to its international pedigree, the FAW 8.140 FL is fitted with the Euro III Cummins ISF 3,8-litre engine. This high-pressure, common-rail 4-cylinder in-line engine is one of the latest from Cummins’ reputable engine range and is ideally suited to the medium-weight truck category.
This engine, fitted with a turbocharger, is water-cooled and intercooled. Benefits of this particular engine include exceptional performance, low operating costs, low weight, low noise and low emissions.
The 6-speed synchromesh manual ZF 6 S 500 TO Ecolite transmission is a great match, taking full advantage of the Cummins powerhouse while adding easy driveability and full driver control.
The ZF transmission adds to the mix a long tradition for technological innovation aimed at overcoming commercial vehicle challenges. Torque is a healthy 450N.m between 1 200 and 2 200 r/min, while a solid output of 105kW is on tap at 2 600 r/min.
These performance levels make the new Cummins engine and the innovative ZF transmission ideal for weight sensitive and space-constrained drivetrains. Advanced thermal engineering has made the ISF engine capable of running at higher operating temperatures, reducing the size and cost of the vehicle’s cooling package.
The modular architecture of the engine allows for easy access and single-side servicing, reducing operating costs. A waste-gated turbocharger provides excellent performance across the whole rev range, as well as good response through higher low-end torque.
The 4-circuit protection valve, full-air Wabco brake system provides the new FAW with another advantage, as these are easier to maintain than vacuum-hydraulic or air-hydraulic braking systems.
The braking system includes full ABS. The addition of ABS and an air-cut parking brake on a medium-sized truck is invaluable to the safety of driver, truck and payload.
Further international componentry extends to a Wabco solenoid valve system, Thunhil gearshift and Clarcor air and oil filters. The new FAW cab is a forward 45° tilt, cab-over engine design.
It is based on ergonomic principles and provides easy servicing access. The digital instrumentation panel and all controls are placed well within reach of the average-sized South African driver.
Materials used are durable and smooth, yet comfortable and sturdy. The 2m wide cab allows for a threeperson-seat, with a foldable middle section. Radio and USB connection are standard fitments.
The FAW 8.140 FL is fitted with power steering for comfort and drive ability. The front windscreen as well as slanted side windows offer an exceptional scope of sight, while mirrors are neatly positioned and of ample size to provide a good view to the side and rear of the vehicle, all enhancing drive ability and safety Strength from top to bottom, built by South Africans Imported from parent plants as SKD kits, the cab, the chassis, axles and other sub-assembly components, together with the imported Cummins ISF engine and the ZF transmission, are all neatly assembled in the brand new Coega-based plant.
Since its opening, this plant has employed over 100 new employees, all of whom have been freshly trained and up-skilled for the new medium truck production.
As demand for the new range and the existing heavy and extra-heavy FAW trucks increases, new job opportunities will be created.
“With the launch of this new medium truck range FAW has set the bar higher yet again. Following a growing number of ‘firsts’, FAW has literally thrown down the gauntlet as we continue on our Africa journey…”
The total capacity of the plant is 5 000 units per annum. “The introduction of the new FAW 8.140 FL follows closely on the international introduction by our China-based parent company. We decided to do this so that local customers can also experience FAW’s latest technological advances built at international quality levels,” explains Zhang.
“The FAW 8.140 FL is a ‘true-blood South African’, built locally and uniquely engineered for the African environment. “At an introductory price of R239 000 (excluding VAT) for our new FAW 8.140 FL chassis cab, FAW provides the lowest cost per ton on the market today,” affirms Zhang.
“With the launch of this new medium truck range FAW has set the bar higher yet again. Following a growing number of ‘firsts’, FAW has literally thrown down the gauntlet as we continue on our Africa journey to create a proud legacy for FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA.”
