VW Constellation
| Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Volkswagen Constellation 17,330
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| Constellation | |
| Manufacturer: | MAN |
| Production period: | since 2002/05 |
| Previous model: | none |
| Successor: | none |
| Technical specifications | |
| Designs: | Chassis, various superstructures |
| Engines: | Six cylinder diesel engine |
| Power: | up to 237 kW |
The VW Constellation is a truck from the Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus brand belonging to MAN Latin America . The Constellation has been produced mainly for the South American market since late 2005. The smaller tractor units have been produced in the same plant as VW Titan since 2002 .
From November 2009, the Constellation and Volksbus commercial vehicles will also be produced by MAN Truck & Bus Africa in the Pinetown production plant in South Africa .
development
German and Brazilian engineers were involved in the development of the new generation of commercial vehicles from the then Brazilian Volkswagen commercial vehicle subsidiary Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus . The development time was four years and the development cost investments of around 400 million.
The first vehicles of the completely newly developed Constellation series, including heavy trucks with up to 45 tons, are only rolling on the streets of Latin America and Africa for the time being. The launch in around 30 other markets in the southern hemisphere is then planned. VW announced in a press release that it wanted to become a global player with trucks and buses in the developing markets of the southern hemisphere. A modern and tailor-made offer is now available for these markets. According to Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus, a production target of 50,000 units was targeted for 2007.
description
Because of the choice of materials, welding technology and paintwork, the manufacturer grants a six-year guarantee against rust perforation for the driver's cab of the Constellation.
Steps at the front make it easier for the driver to clean the windshield. Smaller service work such as topping up engine oil, checking the clutch fluid, changing the air filter and filling up the washer fluid reservoir can be carried out through the open “engine hood”. A manually operated hydraulic device tilts the cab by 58 degrees.
During the development of the Constellation trucks, virtual and real crash tests were carried out both in Germany and in Brazil. The cabin is designed in such a way that it absorbs deformation energy. This feature is already present in the current driver's cab of the tractor and will also be part of the equipment in the Delivery and Worker models.
To tilt the cab, the gearshift lever must be disengaged, the brakes applied, the doors closed and the front grille open. If you try to tilt the cab with the doors open, an acoustic signal sounds. The starter is equipped with a remote engine starting system to allow tests to be carried out during periodic maintenance. This only works when no gear is engaged and the handbrake is on.
MAN Latin America is the market leader for heavy trucks in Brazil with a market share of 30.7 percent and one of the leading manufacturers in the city and coach segment with a market share of 27.4 percent.
The company is the largest truck manufacturer in Brazil and the market leader there for trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than five tons. The vehicles are sold in over 30 countries in South America, Africa and the Middle East.
Versions in Europe
According to Volkswagen, the Constellation in the form currently being produced in South America is not eligible for registration in the EU . However, Volkswagen has some approved press vehicles in Europe.
Motorsport
Occasionally the Constellation appears in Europe as a pace car in the FIA European Truck Racing Championship.
In Brazil, VW took part in the Formula Truck with a factory VW Constellation and won the championship title in 2006 and 2007.
In the 2004 and 2005 seasons, VW also competed in truck races in the FIA Super Race Truck Series in Germany. However, the VW Worker was used here as the basis of the race truck. In both years VW won the championship title with drivers Markus Oestreich and Ralf Druckermüller . The partner of the Wolfsburg manufacturer was the Deutsche Post World Net truck team.
In 2006, a racing version piloted by Markus Oestreich with a 12-liter twin-turbo diesel with more than 1175 kW was a guest at the international Arosa ClassicCar hill climb . Due to its large turning circle , the truck had to reverse briefly in the two tightest hairpin bends .
technology
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The chassis of the Constellation consists of the following assemblies: axles from Meritor , brakes with standard air dryer and optional Consep separator (oil separator), electronic Cummins Interact or ISC motors with modified coolers in copper and tin, engine cooler propellers with electromagnetic fixation (less noise) and a system with a cylindrical damper.
After all Constellations were initially equipped with Cummins engines, the VW Constellation 13.190, 17.190 and 17.280 models were converted to a MAN D08 engine . The larger engines from 17,330 onwards will still be powered by a Cummins ISL.
The electronic management of these engines allows the use of a VCO-950 diagnostic tool and the installation of new accessories such as the Volksnet, a tracking and real-time information system for vehicle location. Management also enables data on driver performance to be recorded and warns of potential violations of the law.
The Constellation has an in -line six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 8.3 liters , which develops 235 kW (320 hp ) and a torque of 1288 Nm . The transmission from ZF do Brasil has 16 gears.
Technical data for newer vehicles of the type VW Constellation:
- Engine: six-cylinder, turbo, installed lengthways at the front
- Displacement: 9354 cm³
- Power: 273 kW / 367 hp at 2000 min -1
- maximum torque: 1600 Nm at 1100 min -1
- Drive concept: rear-wheel drive, various drive formulas (4 × 2, 6 × 4, 8 × 2, 8 × 4 etc.)
- Transmission: 16 gears
- Tank capacity: 620 l
- Top speed: 130 km / h
- Empty weight: 8850 kg
- Acceleration: 0–80 km / h in 21.32 s
- Braking distance: 80–0 km / h 41.9 m
- Consumption: approx. 35 l diesel / 100 km
- CO 2 emissions: 928 g / km
- Price: from around 130,000 euros
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Report on the South African production on the website Auto-Medienportal.net, 2009
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from July 23, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
