Renault Trucks to test innovatory urban vehicle

In January 2008, Renault Trucks will be carrying out an experiment in the Lyon area using a vehicle offering advanced technical solutions for urban delivery as part of the European research programme, FIDEUS (Freight Intelligent Delivery of Goods in European Urban Spaces).

This vehicle will be presented at the Truck and Bus World Forum, in Lyon (France) from December 12th to 14th. It will appear alongside the Hybrys, an innovatory urban concept vehicle using hybrid technology.

The European research programme FIDEUS was launched in 2005 for a period of 3 years. Its target is to develop a new design for urban transportation of goods which protects quality of life in our town centres whilst improving efficiency. FIDEUS comprises numerous partners, including vehicle and automotive equipment manufacturers (Renault Trucks, IVECO, ECA), delivery companies DHL and TNT, regional authorities from Lyon, Hanover and Barcelona and some university laboratories (University of Westminster, Fraunhofer Institute).

As part of the FIDEUS programme, Renault Trucks has developed a delivery vehicle with a high level of performance in terms of environmental protection, safety, security and driver comfort. Developed from a 190 hp Midlum (12 T GVW), the vehicle features very low noise levels (3 dB(A) below regulatory levels) and reduced pollution emissions on account of its Euro4 engine (compatible with the Euro5 standard that will apply from 2009).

Its complete telematics system (navigation, positioning, goods identification via RFID, liaison with base, etc…) informs the driver of the truck’s arrival in an environmental urban zone so that he can enable the low noise and gas emission functions.

Finally, the driver’s job is made easier by the ergonomics of the on-board control functions, with a generalised system of automatic unlocking (including access to loading) for the elevated tailgate and “hands-free” start-up with a push-button function. It also has an electrically-controlled parking brake which allows new functionalities to be added, such as the automatic parking function and a hill-start aid.

The bodywork and equipment were especially studied to carry out loading and unloading operations easily and with low noise emissions. Vehicle signalling and lighting of operating zones have been improved and a camera positioned at the rear, combined with reversing alarms, ensures a high level of safety during manoeuvres.

The Renault Trucks Midlum will be used in the Lyon area by the delivery firm DHL, under normal working conditions. After the Lyon phase of the trials, the vehicle will be transferred to Barcelona in 2008 to test its performance in night deliveries.