Scania Social Media Newsroom » truck design

Scania focuses on LED lighting

Erica Zandelin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:00:18 +0000

Driven by demands for longer service life, LED lighting is gaining ground in commercial vehicle applications. The advantages include lower energy use and a more stylish design.

As light-emitting diodes (LED) are beginning to replace bulbs in automotive lighting applications, luxury models and “green cars” have been first in line to adopt them. The reason is that compact LED technology offers more sophisticated design options as well as lower energy consumption. When it comes to trucks and trailers, however, service life is the most important factor.

“Low energy consumption and long service life is a good combination for commercial vehicles,” says Niklas Blomqvist, Senior Engineer for lighting at Scania.

Currently, applications include daytime running lamps, side marker lamps and end-outline marker lamps, but Scania is looking into possibilities for other lamps, too.

Reduced energy consumption
A LED lamp needs fewer than 25 watts to produce around the same amount of light as a 70-watt halogen bulb. Using LED daytime running lights instead of headlights, 5-10 watts are all that is required. This reduces the vehicle’s energy consumption, which translates into fuel savings.

The secret behind this lies with the physics of semi-conductors. Light is created when a current passes through the layers of a solid-state diode, which is basically an electronic ‘one-way street.’ This process is more energy efficient than passing a current through a wire to make it glow inside a gas-filled bulb.

More light on the road
In addition, light-emitting diodes are fitted in groups on microchips with a geometry suited for efficient reflector designs, where more light is directed on the road than with a bulb.

In contrast to the reduced power demand, LED chips must be cooled because of the heat generated from the diodes. This is both a technical challenge and a cost driver for high power LEDs. Also, manufacturing LED substrates is complex: While conventional bulbs can be used without any additional electronics, LEDs require relatively expensive support circuits. Still, Blomqvist is optimistic about the future:
“Increased vehicle availability due to fewer repairs should make LED lighting a viable investment.”

New Scania R-series: Sharper look with improved fuel economy

Scania Social Media Newsroom — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:06:46 +0000

After more than 200,000 truck delivered to markets across the globe, the top-of-the-line Scania R-series gets a new and more dynamic frontal styling. Better fuel economy is one of many advantages.

Five years after its launch, the top-of-the-line Scania R-series is receiving a new and more dynamic frontal styling as well as other exciting external styling touches.

Faithful Scania customers will feel at home, but will also be struck by the many improvements. And the improved fuel economy will be much appreciated. With the new R-series, Scania continues a valued tradition.

Additionally, the new optimised chassis layout with rear-mounted batteries gives customers maximum flexibility in terms fuel capacity and on-frame storage.

The bigger Scania logotype boosts the Scania identity.

The grille has considerably larger openings between the more distinct horizontal bars, accentuating the Scania identity and admitting more air into the radiator and the engine compartment, securing a higher cooling capacity.

The frontal styling is sharper, with more pronounced horizontal lines, reinforcing the Scania identity.

The aerodynamic shape of the side-skirts improves fuel economy by 0.6 percent.

3 questions to Kristofer Hansén, Head of Styling and Industrial Design

Scania Social Media Newsroom — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:05:15 +0000

What are the key styling updates of the R-series?
“With newly developed design lines, we have integrated the front, the side of the cab, the bumper and even the sideskirt into a unified whole. Every part fits together; there are no ‘loose elements’. The new interior is inspired by premium cars, with upgraded materials. We tuned up the shapes, surfaces and lines to achieve a more elegant interior ambience.”

What are you most proud of?
“That we have taken an already familiar cab – the R-series – and given it a whole new life. We have managed to combine a sharper look with improved cooling, aerodynamics and other functional aspects. At the same time we have created a new level of quality in the interior, closer in style to a luxury car. It is a truck to make a driver proud.”

What were your guiding principles during the development?
“To renew and reinforce. We also worked on improving aerodynamics to increase the fuel efficiency. At the same time we wanted to create an aesthetically attractive styling, keeping and reinforcing the Scania look. In the interior we wanted to enhance the premium feeling of the cab while making the truck safer, easier to drive and more comfortable.”

Scania Social Media Newsroom » truck design

Scania focuses on LED lighting

New Scania R-series: Sharper look with improved fuel economy

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3 questions to Kristofer Hansén, Head of Styling and Industrial Design

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