Up to now, the Highline Cab has not been part of the regular Scania offering to the Australian market, but it gives the new R-series V8 range even more presence.
The Highline Cab offers increased interior headroom, with additional stowage options as well as upper and lower bunks. The new, wider and more comfortable expandable 900 mm lower bunk resets the standard for in-cab luxury.
The Scania R-series with Highline Cab gains all the benefits of the redesigned interior as well as the stylish new exterior treatments. Scania’s aim was to add further quality, functionality and a premium ambience using high quality materials to create a fresh, modern look and increase the number of options to allow customers the ability to specify exactly the features they desire.
Styling, functionality, comfort and safety are all hallmarks of the new interior, with the soft-feel leather-like dashtop cover a marked step forward.
The 2010 Scania R-series V8 Highline Cab features the new premium-look dashboard design, as well as boasting the newly enhanced expandable lower bunk, with its pocket springs and ingenious extension mechanism.
The new expandable lower bunk, finished in an attractive brown cover, is sure to be a focus of driver attention, now adjustable from 730 mm to up to 900 mm wide. It is more than 2000 mm long, and may be left fully extended and thus made-up, even while the vehicle is being driven.
The 155 mm extra-thick pocket spring design comes from one of Europe’s premium mattress manufacturers and promises a comfortable night’s sleep, wherever the drivers pulls up. In a pocket spring mattress, every spring is pre-tensioned and compressed, secured in individual fabric bags, instead of being merely wired together under tension, as previously.
Lines of pocket springs are mounted on rails and the distance between the rails is increased when the bed is extended. This is a unique and patented process. The bed may be expanded by releasing a lever under the bed base and extending the mattress from 730mm to 900mm. There are no pre-determined ratchet stops. The bed can be expanded while the driver is seated on it.
The upper bunk is now thicker than before at 130 mm, and boasts improved springing and greater firmness.
In addition to the more luxurious sleeping arrangements, the Scania Highline Cab is well equipped as standard and offers a range of additional features at the customer’s request.
The standard Highline Cab interior colour scheme features the soft-feel black leather-like dash top cover and dark grey mid and lower sections, bisected by a smart dark chrome strip.
Accents in the same finish are found around the air vents and the controls on the steering wheel, as well as the trim around the centre console stowage area.
The centre storage console has a rubberised upper surface, a lidded cubby on the end for holding items such as sunglasses, while a wide pull out drawer lies beneath, large enough to accommodate an A4-sized folder. There are 12V and 24V outlets in the side of the dashboard end near the passenger seat.
New features include a self-contained mobile ashtray that can be inserted securely into any of the four cupholder spaces; two large plastic drink bottle holders in each of the doors; and a new roller blind for the driver’s door window.
This roller blind is completely and neatly integrated into the door frame so it does not interfere with the driver getting in or out, is easy to adjust, and covers the entire window area, offering greater protection than before.
There is also a red safety reflector inserted into the outer end of the door pocket to offer more safety for alighting drivers.
Extra stowage space has been added with two double shelf units set into the blanked-out side window alcove, conveniently located for the occupant of the new, enlarged lower bunk.
Storage alcoves are set into the roof above each door also, able to hold small and medium sized articles, and easily within reach of the upper bunk.
There are two fully enclosed over windscreen cupboards, as well as the traditional space below the lower bunk accessed both via tipping up the bunk or by opening the exterior side storage compartment flaps, located behind each cab door.
The Scania Highline Cab boasts a large on-board refrigerator, stowed under the bunk that has two plastic drawers, able to hold up to 16 kg of food.
The interior of the cab roof and upper side panels are finished in a sand-beige tone that is pleasant and restful. The seats are finished in black cloth.
The overall effect is a warm, welcoming understated elegance.
Neat touches include a hook on either side of the cab, on the door frame near the seat backrest that is ideal for waste storage bags, helping to keep the cab clean and tidy.
Options available to Australian customers include: a fold-out table in front of the passenger seat that can hold a laptop, or the driver’s evening meal; luxurious black leather upholstery; and leather and real wood trim for the steering wheel.
A further option is lighter coloured interior upholstery and beige/sand in place of the grey for lower dash sections.
While making the R-series Highline Cab standard on V8 models, six-cylinder versions come standard with a twin bunk Sleeper Cab, while the spacious Day Cab is available as a special order option. V8 models are also available with Sleeper Cabs or Day Cabs as well.
“By making the luxurious Highline Cab standard for V8 versions of the R-series, Scania is reinforcing its message of premium driver comfort for our top-of-the-range truck,” says Roger McCarthy, Managing Director of Scania Australia.
“There are many new features in the Highline Cab which we are certain Australian drivers will find extremely appealing. We anticipate a high level of interest in the new Scania Highline Cab.
“And with the Highline Cab being optionally available on the 13-litre-powered R-series as well as adding a Highline Cab option for the new G-series, coupled with the wide array of personalisation options for trim and equipment, Scania gives operators and owner/drivers the best opportunity yet to drive one of the most luxurious trucks on the road,” Roger says.