Trucking Magazine No.362 Soldier of Fortune! Back Issue

On the cover this month is the vehicle Trucking readers voted the
Best Truck in Britain 2014. Following heated battle between six
very deserving contenders in the December issue, Coles & Sons’
stunning Scania R500 tractor unit emerged as the overall winner
after walking away with the lion’s share of the votes.
And it’s not hard to see why. The operator, based in Banbury, has a
history of customising its trucks, and its fleet is remarkable by any
standards – but the Centurion Scania, with finely detailed airbrushing by
Matt, raises the bar considerably. And if you think it’s impressive on the
outside, wait until you take a peek inside the cab; driver Brian ‘Scooby’
McLaren has spec’d a full interior refit in saddle tan and Ferrari beige
leather – including the dash! For the full story on the truck’s evolution, turn to our special feature, starting page 36. In the news, the industry is warned to brace itself as the government gears up for its recordbreaking
road rejuvenation scheme. It looks like construction firms are going to be kept busy for a while, though it remains to be seen what effect the plans will have on the rest of the UK’s road freight. For all the details, see Industry News (page 8). Elsewhere this issue, we try out Iveco’s latest Euro 6 EcoStralis Hi-Way to see if the Italian manufacturer has managed to strike a balance between drivability and frugal fuel use. We came
away impressed, and you can read our verdict starting page 30.
We also have an unusual Driver Diary this month, as Barnaby Davies takes to the roads with an Ankylosaurus during a seven-week world tour of the smash-hit show Walking with Dinosaurs. Read how he got on, starting page 46. Of course, there’s plenty more besides – and we hope you enjoy your read!