Smallest FAW Truck follows proven recipe for success
FAW’s sales success in the heavy commercial vehicle segment of the South African market is thanks – in large part – to the smallest offering in its line-up, the popular 8.140FL. Hailed as a practical and versatile model, it appeals to customers in the farming and agriculture sector, small contractors and businesses and fleet operators alike.
The 8.140FL with manual transmission has proven time and again that, despite its modest dimensions, it packs a mean punch. FAW went to great lengths to ensure that it combines cost-efficiency with the best possible payload and the best turnaround time, without sacrificing any of the quality for which the brand is known. In fact, when it was first introduced, FAW Trucks was lauded for providing local customers with a vehicle that offered the same ruggedness and durability of its larger offerings, but in smaller and dimensions.
“Customer feedback has revealed that one of the main reasons for the 8.140FL’s popularity over the past six years is the fact that, before it was introduced locally, it underwent rigorous testing to ensure that it can withstand the unique – and often harsh – working conditions associated with African markets,” explained Yongjun Li, CEO of FAW Trucks SA.
“The South African commercial vehicle market is a very competitive one,” Li continued. “Customers expect their trucks to be tough and durable, as well as fuel efficient, lightweight and technologically advanced. Thanks to FAW Trucks’ commitment to continuous research, development and testing, the 8.140FL delivers this and so much more.”
The 8.140FL is sourced from the FAW China Corporation and assembled at FAW Trucks SA’s production facility at Coega, Gqeberha.
Emphasising its status as a versatile workhorse, practicality is a key feature of the 8.140FL. It has a body and payload allowance of six tonnes and provides seating for a driver and two passengers. Apart from a spacious and ergonomically designed cab, additional comfort is provided through the inclusion of air-conditioning and a radio with MP3 and USB functionality as standard. In short, it has all the features of a heavy-duty truck, but at a price more akin to a medium-duty product.
Of course, part of its appeal is its Euro 3 compliant, high-pressure, common rail four-cylinder in-line Cummins ISF 3,8-litre engine. This power plant is turbocharged and water- and intercooled, making it ideally suited to the heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) segment of the market. With a maximum power output of 105 kW at 2 600 r/min, it has a healthy 450 Nm of peak torque on tap between 1 200 and 2 200 r/min,
Apart from exceptional performance, the engine also offers low operating costs, low weight, low noise and low emissions. Advanced thermal engineering has made it capable of running at higher operating temperatures, while at the same time reducing the size and cost of the vehicle’s cooling package. The modular architecture of the engine allows for easy access and single-side servicing, reducing operating costs.
Linked to this tried and trusted engine, is a ZF six-speed manual synchromesh transmission. A single-plate, hydraulic air-assisted clutch is part of the package.
Effective braking is ensured by a four-circuit protection valve, full-air brake system which is easier to maintain than vacuum-hydraulic or airhydraulic braking systems. The addition of ABS and an air-cut parking brake on a heavy commercial truck is invaluable to the safety of the driver, truck and payload.
The suspension is of the straight ladder-type. It features semi-elliptical leaf springs, with double acting shock absorbers at the front and auxiliary springs at the rear. The axles, graded for a permissible three tonnes in front and six tonnes at the back, provide ample carrying capacity.
The 8.140FL is available from FAW Trucks dealers countrywide, and can be specified in a number of body derivatives that include a drop-side, a taut-liner option, a van body, a tipper, a roll-back and a dryfreight insulated body. Customers can also choose to purchase the chassis cab and fit their own truck bodies to suit their specific needs.
It is sold with a two-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and benefits from the full extent of sales and/or service from representative outlets across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. FAW Trucks has a dedicated national parts distribution centre in Spartan, supported by its branches in Durban, Harrismith and Cape Town, which act as hubs to support all FAW Trucks representatives and selfservice operators.
“In South Africa, FAW Trucks products have become synonymous with practicality, reliability, value for money and ease of operation. The 8.140FL is no different, and carries all the hallmarks that FAW products are renowned for, namely strength, reliability and ease of operation,” concluded Li.