By providing a tailored solution, Renault Trucks Scotland has secured the deal to deliver three 16-tonne Range D 4x2s into the training and education specialist, GTG Training Limited.

Used for CAT C and familiarisation training, two of the Range Ds operate out of GTG Training’s Glasgow base and the third from its Edinburgh centre. In order to accommodate two delegates and an instructor, the Range Ds were specified with the more spacious Global cab and the Renault Trucks Scotland team worked closely with Scot Seats Ltd to fit a third seat to the rear of the cab.

Commenting on the bespoke solution designed to meet the company’s specific vehicle requirements, GTG Training’s Logistics Operations Manager, Kenny Nicolson, says: “As the trucks run with three people, the ability to specify the large Global cab with an additional seat was vital to us choosing the new Range Ds.”

Now in operation, the Range D’s Optitronic 6AS 800 automated gearbox and clutch is a big hit with the GTG Training team and delegates. “The gears are giving a noticeably smooth and comfortable ride which is great when you’re in the cab all day training,” he says. The Lane Departure Warning System has particularly impressed GTG Training’s Instructors, as Kenny explains: “This fantastic driving assistance aid issues an audible signal to warn the driver if there is an unintentional change in the vehicle’s travel direction and is a terrific training aid and safety feature.”

Additionally, the Range Ds come equipped with optional extras including Passenger Vision Door for added safety on city training routes and auto engine cut off that saves fuel when the vehicles are idling for more than three minutes.

For a driving school, the Range D’s regeneration manual override function has been invaluable. Kenny says: “These vehicles might be used to practise reversing in a yard or testing area for a day, not on the motorway, so the ability to switch regeneration on or off with the manual override is an excellent feature for our operation.”

Kenny continues: “The vehicles have been very well received by delegates and the instructors enjoy training in them. There’s plenty of room in the cab with good observation, as well as storage for kit. Our new Range Ds are eye-catching and we’ve had people booking courses after spotting them on the road, and this has been the deciding factor in them training with GTG.”

He concludes: “The Range Ds have been in service for a few months, providing an excellent addition to our fleet and have been well accepted. The icing on the cake is that delegates have a high standard of first time passes too!””

The new Range D16s come with rigid GRP box bodies, built by PMH Coachbuilders Ltd, with rear opening GRP double doors.

Renault Range D

About the Author: John Loughran