FAW’s sales success in the heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) segment of the South African market is thanks – in large part – to the smallest offering in its line-up, the popular 8.140FL.
That’s according to Yongjun Li, CEO of FAW Trucks SA, who said the practical and versatile vehicle appeals to customers in the farming and agriculture sector, small contractors and businesses and fleet operators alike.
“Customer feedback has revealed that one of the main reasons for the 8.140FL’s popularity over the past six years is the fact that, before it was introduced locally, it underwent rigorous testing to ensure that it can withstand the unique – and often harsh – working conditions associated with African markets,” Li said.
“The South African commercial vehicle market is a very competitive one. Customers expect their trucks to be tough and durable, as well as fuel efficient, lightweight and technologically advanced. Thanks to FAW Trucks’ commitment to continuous research, development and testing, the 8.140FL delivers this and so much more.”
The 8.140FL is sourced from the FAW China Corporation and assembled at FAW Trucks SA’s production facility at Coega, Gqeberha.
It has a body and payload allowance of six tons and provides seating for a driver and two passengers. Apart from a spacious and ergonomically designed cab, additional comfort is provided through the inclusion of air-conditioning and a radio with MP3 and USB functionality as standard.
Part of its appeal, said Li, is its Euro 3 compliant, high-pressure, common rail four-cylinder in-line Cummins ISF 3,8-litre engine. This powerplant is turbocharged and water- and intercooled, making it ideally suited to the HCV segment of the market. With a maximum power output of 105 kW at 2 600 r/min, it has a healthy 450 Nm of peak torque on tap between 1 200 and 2 200 r/min,
Apart from performance, Li said the engine also offers low operating costs, low weight, low noise and low emissions. Advanced thermal engineering has made it capable of running at higher operating temperatures, while at the same time 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.
Linked to this tried and trusted engine, is a ZF six-speed manual synchromesh transmission. A single-plate, hydraulic air-assisted clutch is part of the package.
Effective braking is ensured by a four-circuit protection valve, full-air brake system which is easier to maintain than vacuum-hydraulic or air-hydraulic braking systems. The addition of ABS and an air-cut parking brake on a heavy commercial truck is invaluable to the safety of the driver, truck and payload.
The suspension is of the straight ladder-type. It features semi-elliptical leaf springs, with double acting shock absorbers at the front and auxiliary springs at the rear. The axles, graded for a permissible three tonnes in front and six tonnes at the back, provide ample carrying capacity.
The 8.140FL is available from FAW Trucks dealers country-wide, and can be specified in a number of body derivatives that include a drop-side, a taut-liner option, a van body, a tipper, a roll-back and a dry-freight insulated body. Customers can also choose to purchase the chassis cab and fit their own truck bodies to suit their specific needs.
It is sold with a two-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and benefits from the full extent of sales and/or service from representative outlets across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. FAW Trucks has a dedicated national parts distribution centre in Spartan, supported by its branches in Durban, Harrismith and Cape Town, which act as hubs to support all FAW Trucks representatives and self-service operators.
