Renault Trucks T, T High, C & K evolution 2021: more comfortable, reliable, and efficient

By MEq April 20, 2021 15:04

Renault Trucks is upgrading its T, T High, C, and K ranges in 2021, bringing major improvements in terms of driving comfort, onboard comfort, safety, and productivity. This is the most important evolution since the total renewal of the manufacturer’s ranges in 2013.

In 2021, Renault Trucks is changing the exterior design of its vehicles, adopting a more assertive style, particularly in terms of the headlights, which have been reduced in size in order to increase the painted surface of the lower body section. A new honeycomb grille completes the more modern, sleek design of the 2021 Renault Trucks.

A new multi-directional steering column
The vehicles are fitted with a new three-axis adjustable steering column. This enables drivers to adopt the driving position that suits them best, tailored to their morphology, mission requirements or personal preferences. The column is adjusted using a single foot control to set both the position and the tilt of the steering wheel. Adjustment with both hands on the wheel and instant locking ensures both precision and safety. In addition, the Neman on the column has been replaced by a start button.

New modular seats
As an HGV driver spends an average of nine hours a day behind the wheel, the seats need to remain comfortable throughout the life of the vehicle and be suited to each driver. Renault Trucks has therefore redesigned its range of seats and now offers a modular range for complete flexibility in terms of settings, choice of combinations, and options. The manufacturer has also introduced new textiles, designed to withstand the many climbs in and out of the cab every day. A leather version is also available as an option.

Increased storage capacity
The 2021 version of the Renault Trucks T, T High, C, and K also features new storage solutions. Renault Trucks has added a tablet and smartphone holder, positioned within easy reach of the driver, providing access to several devices simultaneously and charging them via two USB-C sockets. A new A4 document storage drawer has also been added. On the passenger side, the vehicles have two storage spaces with a total capacity of 7 liters (including a 2-liter refrigerated space).

A redesigned home-from-home sleeping area
A truck is not only a driver’s work tool, it is also where they rest and sleep. The quality of the bed is therefore crucial. For the driver’s well-being and increased longevity of the equipment, Renault Trucks has increased the thickness of the mattress of the “Serenity” bunk by 13% and doubled the number of springs, providing optimal support thanks to a better distribution of body weight. A washable memory foam mattress topper can be added as an option. The mattress is separate from the base, allowing for the use of fitted sheets.

For added convenience, two USB-C sockets have also been added to the bunk area to make it easier to charge electronic devices, while keeping them within easy reach of the driver during rest periods. Finally, to improve sound quality in the cab, Renault Trucks has teamed up with the French manufacturer Focal, for the supply of hi-fi equipment and speakers.

Increased safety for drivers, their loads and road users
High safety levels for drivers and road users have also been a core focus in the development of the Renault Trucks T, T High, C, and K ranges. The new Renault Trucks T, T High, and C are fitted with LED lights as standard. As it is closer to natural light, LED light gives drivers a better perception of contrasts and colors. This significantly improves night-time visibility and therefore safety. Another advantage of LED technology is its reliability and longevity. The life of an LED source is up to thirty times longer than that of a conventional bulb.

Additional LED lights have also been positioned on the inside of the doors to illuminate the door sill for increased driver safety when getting in and out of the vehicle at night. For the optimal safety of drivers, their loads and road users, a number of options are also available, including a mechanical anti-intrusion device (safety door-lock), cameras and presence sensors, as well as vision doors providing excellent visibility of pedestrians and cyclists. Finally, the parking brake emergency application reduces the risk of unexpected vehicle movement when the driver leaves the cab, by automatically activating the wheel lock to stop the truck.

3% fuel savings
Firstly, the cab’s aerodynamics have been improved around the front grille and wheel arch extensions have been added to improve airflow. Secondly, the vehicles have been fitted with new technology to further reduce fuel consumption. These include a new version of the Optivision predictive cruise control system and an optimized cruise control system with two selectable driving modes. ‘Eco on’ is the default mode and optimizes fuel consumption by adjusting acceleration, gear shifting, cruise control, and deceleration, whereas “Eco off” allows drivers to change the driving mode. An indicator gives drivers real-time information about their driving style; the greater the number of leaves, the more economical the driving.

A new “Pulse and Glide” function further improves fuel consumption by maintaining the vehicle’s speed around the Cruise Control set point (+/- 2km/h). Finally, the new Renault Trucks T and T High vehicles are fitted as standard with class A tires, the most efficient on the market in terms of fuel economy.

Optimized maintenance thanks to Excellence Predict
Renault Trucks has developed a new technology for regularly updating the vehicle’s software – at the time requested by the customer – without the need to bring it into the workshop. This new technology is part of the “Excellence Predict” maintenance offer, which enables the manufacturer to act before a malfunction occurs and thus give its customers greater peace of mind by guaranteeing continuous vehicle availability.

In practical terms, the “Excellence Predict” offer provides:
– A connected maintenance plan that is perfectly adapted to the vehicle’s use.
– Monitoring of the main wear components such as the battery, clutch discs, and brake pads.
– Innovative real-time breakdown prevention technology for 80% of components that could lead to downtime.
– Collective and collaborative work between Renault Trucks and its network, enabling proactive management of vehicle maintenance. The scheduling of grouped interventions optimizes downtime.

Rationalization of workshop visits with remote update services
In addition, experts in the Renault Trucks network are able to carry out pre-diagnosis, functionality updates, and remote adjustments on vehicles. This reduces the number of visits to the workshop and optimizes appointments.

Extended oil change intervals up to 150,000 km
Depending on usage and mileage, oil change intervals for vehicles fitted with 13-litre Euro VI engines can be extended to 150,000 km or 18 months, resulting in lower contracted maintenance costs (labor and parts), optimized maintenance schedules with fewer service stops, and additional fuel savings.