Renault’s truck division has introduced their new Kerax truck models as well as the Sherpa military 4×4 in civilian guise for the first time. They also sent 12 vehicles on a “cape to cape” expedition from Norway to South Africa to prove the durability of the trucks.
The expedition started off from North Cape in Norway, with a team of six Kerax and six Sherpa vehicles on their way to crossing 16 countries and 30,000 km of hot and cold climates, towards the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The expedition ran from March 1st to July 8th of 2009, taking around 130 days.
The Renault Kerax is a full-size commercial truck for hauling loads cross-country. The one used for the expedition was a Kerax 450.26 6×6 model, with a 450 hp 10.8L 6-cylinder diesel engine mated to a lifted six-wheel-drive platform and a 16-speed gearbox, offering a massive 1578 lb-ft of torque between 1100 rpm to 1300 rpm to move the 14-ton truck.
The Renault Sherpa is a light 4×4 truck initially offered only as a military vehicle, but will now be available for civilian applications on a built-to-order basis. Powered by a 215 hp diesel engine, it is good for more than 590 lb-ft of torque and comes with a 6-speed automatic and low-range gearing. The French answer to the Americans, it is larger than most cars on the road, with a ground clearance of 24.8 inches. With an approach angle of 60 degrees, it is a very rudimentary offroad vehicle, but at least comes with ABS-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, racing-style seats and a hard-plastic dashboard that seems to be the only non-metal piece in the barebones cabin.
