The 18-ton Scania P 230 is well-known in the distribution sector. It cannot, and will not, deny its relation to its big brothers. lastauto omnibus magazine thoroughly tested it more than two years ago.
“Small but nice” could summarize the lastauto omnibus tests in 2011. The P 230 may be the smallest of all Scania trucks, but it still is a full-grown truck that can also tow a loaded two-axle trailer and that runs on the same chassis as the much larger and stronger Swedish trucks.
The Scania P 230 Feels Like a Full-Grown Truck
The workplace in the P-type driver’s cab reminded the testers of a heavy truck. The clearly arranged instrumentation, logical operation, perfect seating position, the generous adjustability of the steering wheel adjustment –all worthy of a large Scania truck, said the experts. The parameters of the test vehicle were 18 tons total weight, almost 34 tons towed weight, 230 HP from a displacement of 9.3 liters (550 cubic inches), and a wide driver’s cab.
The P 230 is intended for distribution traffic, and for this task, it has, according to lastauto omnibus, a comparatively powerful engine underneath its medium-length CP 16 cab. This very large five-cylinder engine has two balance shafts to compensate for potentially uneven running. Its dry weight is well over a ton, which makes it at least 880 lbs (400 kg) heavier than the engines common in this sector, which tend to have six cylinders and a displacement of 6 to 7 liters (366 to 427 cubic inches).
Scania P 230 with a Strong Five-Cylinder Engine
The five-cylinder engine weighs almost twice as much as the strongest four-cylinder engines with over 200 HP. However, it also has advantages, according to the testers, who also deemed the power of the five-cylinder engine ample power for the 18-ton truck. High rpm are not required because the displacement provides generous torque—775 lb-ft (1050 Newton) at 1000 to 1 500 rpm—and the nominal power of 230 HP is already reached at slightly more than 1500 rpm. The five-cylinder DC9 35 belongs to a new generation of engines that complies with Euro-5 and EEV regulations without Adblue additive. The emission control typical for Scania encompasses exhaust gas recirculation, a variable turbocharger, XPI high-pressure fuel injection, and a PM filter.
The low noise level in the driver’s cab was well received by the testers. The motor can hardly be heard, there is almost no wind noise, and the comfortable air suspension contributes to the smooth ride, according to the experts. Good visibility outside and the precise steering, along with the large steering angle of the wheels make the P 230 a nimble distribution truck.
The payload of the Swedish truck, however, had its critics. The chassis, including some accessories, weighs almost 7 tons, and the isolated box body with tail lift weighs over 2.5 tons. The payload is therefore reduced to less than 9 tons. This is basically the price that the buyer has to pay for the powerful engine and the high level of comfort of the distribution truck.
