From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network

2020/04/2703:48:04 car 1029

In China, I believe many readers have seen the classic model of French Renault Trucks-Magnum (Magnum), but the memory of this car, we only stay in the second generation model launched in 2001 (The earliest introduction of domestic models). And even as a classic truck in Europe and even the world, many historical records only stay at the time when the AE Magnum Legend series models were unveiled in 1990.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

In fact, the history of this car is much earlier than this. The birth of Magnum has a longer history. Therefore, today I will make a most detailed Magnon for everyone. Popularization of agricultural models.

Late 1970s: From scratch, Magnum's concept car form

About Renault Magnum trucks, in fact, there is a certain relationship with Mark Mack, a truck company in the United States. relationship.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

In 1980, Renault and Mark jointly launched the Mid-Liner series of medium-duty trucks as a successful cooperation product. In 1985, it ranked first in sales of medium-duty trucks in the United States. The inspiration of the AE Magnum series models is closely related to the great cooperation process at that time.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

The picture shows the shape of the future flat-head concept truck designed by Mack Trucks in 1970. This is the design style, which later provided a viable reference for the AE Magnum series. Especially the rear pedal design used in this concept model.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Renault Automotive Industry Co., Ltd. adhering to the innovative values ​​of vehicle safety, reliability and comfort, as early as 1977, began the research and development of the first generation of AE Magnum, but at that time the vehicle It has not been officially named, and it exists as a concept model. Its purpose is to show a new era model that meets the needs of drivers and cargo transportation.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

The design sketch at the time

Before the new model entered the static experiment, all the designers of Renault at that time put forward a total of five different styles of design plans, through layers. After discussion, a more thorough study was conducted on the Guy Greffier designer's plan.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Guy Graffier’s design Magnum drawings

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Robert Opron (left) and Guy Graffier (right)

In May 1977, Robert Opron, the chief design officer of Renault Cars, paid special attention to two sketches drawn by Graffier, one for integrated style and one for modularization. style. In the long run, this unique model is very different from the mainstream vertical A-pillar design style in Europe at that time. The inclined design greatly reduces the drag coefficient. In addition, the front bumper and side skirts also use this Low wind resistance concept design.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Greyfel’s bold design is reflected in the elimination of the stepped pedals used in conventional design models, and an electric lift pedal instead. Although not realized today, this avant-garde design is still commendable.

However, in the early development stage of this model, Renault has not yet changed to a more avant-garde design. Thus, a legendary designer, Marcello Gandini, who can also be called the "father of Magnon", was pushed to the center of the stage.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Marcello Gandini (Marcello Gandini)

I believe that in the truck industry, many people are generally unfamiliar with this Italian car designer, but in the passenger car industry he But it is very famous. Since the 1960s, many dynamic shapes have been designedItalian cars. He served as Broadcom's chief designer until 1980, and then left to become a freelance designer. After Broadcom Automotive Design Company succeeded his old friend Giorgetto Giugiaro, the famous Lamborghini Miura, Countach and Bugatti EB110 supercars were all made by the legendary designer.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Magnum drawings designed by Marcelo Gandini

The earliest Magnum truck design drawings submitted by Gandini are more protruding from the geometric square frame, Compared with Graffier's one-piece design in which all functional parts are surrounded by an aerodynamically shaped cabin, it is obviously closer to reality. After fully demonstrating and studying these two solutions, Renault’s management also believes that the designer Graffier’s design style is very avant-garde, but in terms of practicality, Gandini’s design is closer to future truck drivers. The need for comfort.

Therefore, Renault was more optimistic about Gandini's design at that time, but on the other hand, he also asked him to propose a new design style and create an actual model to show the practical usability of his design.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

In 1977, at the Berliet truck factory in Lyon, Gandini began to study a new type of cab. In the early stage of the project, despite the fact that the Renault R&D team members The design style is quite controversial, but in general, the practicality of this cab is greatly recognized. After several consultations, Gandini decided on the distinctive features of the avant-garde design as the starting point for the construction of the new cab. Its doors are located above and behind the front steering axle, which are accessed through wide-body steps and provide sufficient space behind the driver’s seat. Rest space.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

At that time, the biggest disadvantage of European truck comfort innovation development was the need to reserve a certain amount of space for the engine. Therefore, the floor in the middle of the cab adopts a raised design, which seriously affects normal indoor traffic. The concept model designed by Gandini, in addition to making it easy for the driver to enter the car through the stairs, has an unprecedented flat floor design, and also provides more spacious living space. In addition, the width of the steps behind the front axle and the seat position And the comfort of the cab has also been further improved.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

At the same time, Graffier’s design project is also steadily advancing. At the end of the preliminary research in 1981, Renault decided to convert two independent vehicle development projects to a 1:1 ratio. The actual size of the dynamic model test phase. The picture (left) is a model designed by Renault designer Greifel, and the picture (right) is a design by Italian top car designer Gandini (It can be seen that the appearance of Magnon was basically formed at that time ), but the interior parts of the two are developed independently of the appearance.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

On April 14, 1982, Renault rented an abandoned base of the former US Air Force in Crucey, France, and officially started the actual test of the two cars. In order to compare the comfort and handling of these two concept models, Renault also chose five European trunk logistics transport models at the time, including Renault’s G series, Scania 2 series, Volvo F12 Globetrotter, DAF 3300 and Ford Transcontinental. Participated in this test together.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Among these models, in addition to the Volvo F12 Globetrotter launched in 1979, which uses high-top driving, the popular DAF DAF 3300 series truck also uses the more comfortable Topsleeper. Cab. Before Duff launched the SpaceCab series of high-top comfort models, this car was Volvo Trucks' number one competitor in comfort.

80s of last century: VE10 and VE20 further pushed Magnon in front of us.

From the launch of the concept model to the official release of the AE Magnum, in fact, the Renault R&D team is developing the future concept truck Did not stop, especially since 1985, the Renault Virages plan (optimized vehicleThe VE10 introduced in Energy Management and Safety and the VE20 concept truck introduced in 1988 will play an important role in the future innovation and development of Renault's logistics transportation models.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Compared with the static and short-distance experiments of the two concept models in the late 1970s, the concept model launched in the late 1980s, the most significant change is that it takes longer to test , The test distance is also farther. It can be said that without the VE10 and VE20 tests, there would be no more than 20 years of brilliant development of Magnum series models, and the birth of a new generation of T series flat-floor cab models.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

is precisely because of this, at the 2011 Magnum Legend limited edition model launch conference, this landmark VE10 series concept model was also exhibited on the scene, so it The importance of the birth of Magnum is self-evident.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Let us bring the timeline back to 1985. Renault officially launched the VE 10 concept truck onto the stage. You can see that the net, bumper and windshield glass are all rounded The design reduces driving resistance through the front styling, the side contour of the cab and the streamlined shape of the roof.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

If you look carefully, you can find that VE10 is basically the same as the design style of Renault designer Graffier in 1977, except for the appearance of the cab with more transparent glass materials. The protection design of spoiler components has also been further optimized.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Through the comparison of the above two pictures, it can be found that the airflow extends through the exterior parts of the cab and drags the sealed trailer to the rear. The outside of the drive axle is sealed. Skirt, this low wind resistance design reduces the rotation resistance of the tire when driving at high speed. The two sides below the trailer also have the same style design. Its unique concave-convex shape further disperses the airflow from the front. The same type of sealed skirt used by the dual-axle trailer at the rear makes the overall airflow change at the rear of the vehicle more stable.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

and Renault’s official design sketches that year can let us know: the vertical height of the VE10 and van trailer is 3950mm, the length of the cockpit is 1060mm, the length of the vehicle is 16700mm, and the maximum load capacity is designed. The mass is 38 tons.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

At the beginning of the design of this model, the cumbersome problems of oversized windshield glass in daily wiping have been taken into consideration. For this reason, the designer has set two Class simple bumper, and U-shaped armrests are set above the central grid to improve the safety of the driver when wiping the glass.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

It is worth mentioning that in addition to the dynamic body, the VE10 also uses front and rear disc brake axles. Although this configuration has already become a standard for European trucks, But 35 years ago, this bold design was the best proof of Renault's full consideration of the safe driving of the vehicle; in addition, we can also find that this car used an airbag damping cab as early as 1985.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

VE10 is a 6x4 traction model. The drive axle adopts a large-size wide-body single tire configuration, and its tandem suspension adopts an air suspension that is more stable and lightweight. From the photos, it can be found that there is an integral apron behind the cab. In addition to the omni-directional protection on the outside of the tire, the apron below the tail is fixed by struts, which also takes into account the airflow resistance to the rear trailer.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Open the door of VE10 and you can see that this car has a rotating four-layer pedal. The gripper at the edge of the pedal provides convenience for the driver to enter and exit the vehicle; the details are not difficult Discover the flat floor design used in the interior.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

VE10’s cab adopts a metal frame + transparent glass exterior design,Improves the driver’s ability to control the blind spot vision; the main and co-pilot seats have lumbar support, and the co-pilot seat is designed in the back position to ensure the driver’s ability to monitor the right blind spot; the dashboard adopts the most traditional plane It is designed with a function indicator switch on the top of the circular instrument, and an air conditioning refrigeration system is installed in the middle.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

B18 series transmission gear shift lever is located on the right side of the instrument panel. Although this design is quite different from the shifting type and push-pull type commonly used in trucks today, it must be said that this This operation is still very convenient; the middle position of the operation instruction is equipped with a gear display to ensure that the driver can have a better gear operation when the vehicle is driving.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Compared with traditional flat-head trucks, Renault VE10 has stronger visual field monitoring capabilities, which can control the blind area between pedestrians and vehicles within 2.6m, ensuring that vehicles drive in crowded areas Have higher security.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Although it has been 35 years since the debut of the VE10 series, to this day, the safety, comfort, and exploration of energy saving and environmental protection embodied by this model are still remarkable.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Even so, Renault's pace of innovation has not stopped. In 1988, on the basis of VE10, Renault launched the VE20 series of concept trucks. Compared with the VE10 model, the VE20 uses a larger-sized windshield glass, a curved metal panel, and an extended version of the single-arm wiper that can cover the entire glass mirror; the air intake grille and the bumper are integrated, and the bottom fog The lights are also moved from both sides to the middle position.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

VE20 still uses the same built-in rotating staircase design as the VE10 model, and the tilted roof design further reduces the drag coefficient. The suspension mirror has a very high practicality and is convenient for the driver. There is a deeper understanding of the situation around the towed trailer.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

VE 20 is a 6x2 traction model, the whole vehicle adopts the size of 425/55 R19.5 widebody single tire configuration. Its advanced technical features include: the chassis is made of curved extruded aluminum, the front axle adopts a symmetrically designed MacPherson independent suspension; it adopts a better performance MIDR06.20.45 inline six-cylinder engine, with an upgraded version of the B18 AMT Transmission (with the function of shifting "torque"); front and rear axles adopt disc brakes with ABS anti-lock braking system, etc.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

The interior of this car is basically the same as the VE10 style. The co-pilot uses fully transparent glass windows and the wide-angle mirror design provides the driver with a better blind spot supplement effect. As mentioned in the previous article, due to the design of the American flat-head truck, the blind area of ​​this car for passing pedestrians was reduced to 2.6m during the driving process. This was also the limit of all European brand trucks at the time in terms of front blind area vision. value.

1990: AE Magnum officially came to us

In 1990, based on the pre-testing of many concept models, the AE Magnum series models finally ushered in the official release, its name Derived from the English initials of AErodynamics (aerodynamics). There are not many surprises. As the final mass-produced version of Magnum, it is basically the same as the Gandini model sketch design in 1977. The matrix split headlights on both sides of the center grid are particularly conspicuous, and the cab frame is more sealed. The use of materials improves the safety of the vehicle, and the front axle is equipped with the disc brakes used in the 1985 VE10 concept model as standard.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

The release of AE Magnum has created many industry firsts, including groundbreaking flat floor design, etc., which has raised the comfort of European trucks to a whole new level. Through the official photos released that year, it can be seen that the high-level cab of AE Magnon is completely independent of the engine, freeing up more indoor living space for the driver. Center consoleIt also adopted a similar semi-surround design in the experimental model, and the comfortable seats also laid a solid foundation for the humanized development of European trucks at that time.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

may be too leading the trend. After the release of AE Magnum, it did not immediately achieve great success. It was not until the small facelift in 1997 that Magnum was truly Accepted and recognized by more people, only then began its legendary road.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

Summary: Classic can only come from the spirit of innovation

Looking back at the birth of Magnum, it is not difficult to find that it has become a classic and the vehicle that Renault Trucks has always adhered to. The spirit of innovation is inseparable. From the establishment of the vehicle project in the late 1970s to the official launch of the vehicle in 1990, Renault has been doing various tests and demonstrations for more than ten years. Also, although the related technology of VE10 and VE20 concept trucks is not mature, there is no doubt , They opened the way for the innovative development of Renault Trucks' new vehicle technology. Whether it is Magnum or the new T series, they have contributed to the success.

From concept models to official releases, Renault Magnum Trucks has the most detailed science popularization on the entire network - DayDayNews

To this day, the last Renault Magnolia has been discontinued for almost 10 years, and the classic is slowly leaving us. What else can we do except miss it? So today I wrote down this popular science article as a record, I hope it will never be forgotten by people.

At the end of the article, I once again extend my highest respect to the famous Italian car designer Marcello Gandini, the pioneer of the Magnon series.

Picture/Text: BOVA330

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