Johannesburg, South Africa. UD Trucks Southern Africa today launched its high-level technology All-New Quon extra heavy range at the Futuroad Expo. Featuring eight derivatives, the Euro 5 level range is aimed at bringing leading-edge innovation that makes sense in the local operating environment.

The new range includes four 6x4 rigid models, and four 6x4 truck-tractor options, and is especially suited to the distribution, petro-chemical and FMCG market segments.

“UD Trucks has a proud heritage that has brought many innovative products and features over the years,” said Jacques Michel, President of UD Trucks International Sales. “But at UD Trucks, innovation goes beyond new technologies. For us, innovation is a commitment to deliver the trucks and services the world needs today, adding value to our customers’ businesses, as well as society at large.”

UD Trucks Southern Africa’s area of responsibility includes both developed and developing economies. The truck market dynamics mirror this and all-new Quon represents the company’s commitment to excel at the essentials, in line with customers’ expectations.

The Quon meets the needs of transport solutions in the modern age by “putting people first” in every fine detail and pushing boundaries further than ever before through leading-edge innovations.

“To serve our customers in an even better way, UD Trucks has over the past few years invested more than during any other period in our history in facilities, in services, in our people, and not in the least, in our products,” said Gert Swanepoel, managing director of UD Trucks Southern Africa. “The Quon now moves us into a stronger position in the South African truck industry.”

Combining optimum fuel efficiency with drivability, the Quon offers a driveline that delivers a smooth, stress-free and comfortable ride. Quon is equipped with advanced safety features that protect the driver and cargo but also cares for the safety of the vehicle’s surroundings.

Drivability
The cockpit has been redesigned around the way it feels to use it, with operability and visibility ergonomically reengineered from the ground up.

It features conveniently placed steering wheel switches, new meter panel, improved visibility and a 12V power socket.

The new ESCOT-VI electronically-controlled automatic transmission adopts a simple, easy-to-use straight shift pattern, further advancing the Quon’s operability while also enhancing its ability to navigate muddy conditions. All models feature disc brakes as standard.

The disc brakes provide a swift, smooth response and outstanding braking performance. Through these features, the all-new Quon provides a comfortable driving environment allowing drivers to concentrate on the road ahead.

Fuel Efficiency
The new Quon range boasts a fuel-efficient, powerful and clean 11-litre GH11 engine.

It generates powerful torque from low revs up through a wide RPM range, making the Quon a pleasure to drive. To further support fuel-efficient driving, the Quon also features UD Trucks’ Nenpi Fuel Coach - a system that displays driving advice to help drivers achieve further improvement the vehicle’s fuel economy.

Additional contributors to Quon’s fuel efficiency are a weight reduction in the physical truck, as well as low air resistance.

Advanced Euro 5 technology, in all the new Quon models, also contributes to better fuel efficiency and environmentally friendlier emissions through UD’s SCR technology.

Safety
Quon utilises a range of basic, passive and active safety features to keep the driver, the cargo, as well as other road users as safe as possible.

The UD Trucks Traffic Eye Brake system (collision mitigation braking), which uses high-precision radar and a cabin-mounted camera for dual-monitoring of the road ahead.

A Lane Departure Warning System alerts the driver when they are straying across lanes and is especially intended to keep drivers from falling asleep at the wheel. An additional Driver Alert Support alerts the driver by sound and a message in the display if the system detects any symptoms of inattentive driving or drowsy driving.

Adaptive Cruise Control is an extension of standard cruise control as it adapts the distance to the target vehicle in accordance to a selected time-gap and the speed of the subject vehicle by controlling the engine, powertrain and brakes of the Quon.

UD stability control, or UDSC sensor, detects conditions in which the truck could become unstable, such as curves or slippery road surfaces, the system applies control appropriate to engine output and braking power to each tire to maintain stability.

Quon is also fitted with disc brakes featuring heat-release properties for superb and industry benchmark anti-fade performance. In combination, these advanced systems deliver enhancements on both active and passive safety.

Productivity
Every component has been refined to realise an overall lighter vehicle, while achieving gains in load-carrying capacity of up to 200kg, depending on the model. Improved ease of loading, bodybuilding efficiency and smoothness at creeping speed for approaching loading docks also reflect UD Trucks’ commitment to boost productivity for fleet owners.

“The all-new Quon offers a highly productive range of vehicles optimised for our customers’ business needs,” explained Swanepoel. “Our customers’ definition of the essentials needed in a truck, has changed. Our focus, therefore, is to give customers reduced operating costs as related to things like fuel efficiency, payload ability and uptime. Secondly, we are concentrating on the people factor within the transport business, making our trucks even safer and environmentally friendly.”

Uptime
The all-new Quon represents a further upgrade in vehicle reliability and durability. It is easier to maintain, with a reduced number of parts requiring regular replacement and longer service intervals on genuine parts.

Advanced features like LED lights, disc brakes, rust prevention and sealed hub bearings all contribute to Quon’s uptime.

Moreover, comprehensive UD Extra Mile Support including UD Genuine Parts and Service, the UD Trust service agreement, and UD Telematics utilising the latest in connectivity - keeps customers’ vehicles in the best possible condition to maximise uptime.

Telematics enables fleet owners to keep track of their vehicle’s productivity and fuel efficiency through various functions like geofencing, driver reports and manual navigation.

All-New Quon Line-Up
GW 26 460 TT 6x4 AMT HR 26t Ret
GW 26 460 TT 6x4 AMT HR 26t Ret (Air suspension)
CW 26 460 FC 6x4 AMT SR 26t Ret
CW 26 460 FC 6x4 AMT SR 26t Ret (Air suspension)
GW 26 460 TT 6x4 AMT HR 26t Ret (ADR Prep)
GW 26 460 TT 6x4 AMT HR 26t Ret (ADR Prep) (Air suspension)
CW 26 460 FC 6x4 AMT SR 26t Ret (ADR Prep)
CW 26 460 FC 6x4 AMT SR 26t Ret (ADR Prep) (Air suspension)