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TRACK & WHEELText: Conny Hetting Photo: Carl-Erik Andersson Illustration: Semcon Informatic Graphic SolutionsOptimal gearingAn automatic clutch, an electro-hydraulic clutch control anda whole new strategy for gear selection – these are the mainingredients in the new Scania Opticruise system.Scania Opticruise, one of thefirst automated gearchangingsystems in the market, has beenrefined in many steps over theyears. Now development of the system istaking a new turn. After four years of development,the concept of a standard mechanicalgearbox remains, but the system hasbeen extensively modified, with improvedmechanical components and entirely newsoftware.The new automatic clutch is based on amarket innovation – an entirely new electrohydraulicclutch actuator that allows precisionclutch control.“The new electro-hydraulic clutch actuatorprovides better control than a pneumaticsystem during starts or manoeuvring as wellas on slippery surfaces,” says Mikael Hanson,head of Transmission Software. “It alsospeeds up gearchanges.”The new Scania Opticruise takes intoaccount not only factors like engine revs,vehicle acceleration, speed and load, but alsothe slope of the road, driving style and otherexternal factors in order to calculate the mostsuitable gear for any situation. When reachinga hill, the new system changes downearly to maintain a higher speed up the hill.All this has been designed to improve driveabilityand simplify work for the driver.“It enables the driver to concentrate on thesurrounding traffic while achieving optimalfuel consumption,” Hanson says.The fundamental principle behindScania Opticruise is that the engine shouldwork at the revs that are the most efficient inevery situation, making the most out of everydrop of fuel.Among other advantages of the new system,the automatic clutch means less clutchwear as well as better operating economy,thanks to new functions that provide optimalfuel consumption. The new gearchangingstrategy includes using low revs whereverpossible, thereby saving fuel without compromisingdriveability.When reaching a hill, the new system changes down early to maintain a higher speed up the hill.Scania Opticruise with all controls in onelever. Switch between automatic and manualmode with A/M at the tip of the lever.10innovations1. Scania Opticruise is now availablewith an automatic clutch.2. A new, smarter gearchanging strategythat provides good driveability inboth economy and power modes.3. High precision for manoeuvringwith the automatic clutch.4. Extra high precision and smoothaccelerator response in manoeuvringmode.5. Automatic starting gear selection,aided by an inclination sensor.6. The option of activating the powertake-off outside the cab.7. Compatibility with Adaptive CruiseControl and Scania Ecocruise, allowingsmoother interaction between speedcontrol and gear selection systems.8. Smart gear selection whenapproaching intersections androundabouts.9. Improved interaction between theScania Retarder and Scania Opticruise,which avoids excessive downchangingduring retarder braking.10. Interaction between ScaniaOpticruise and Hill-hold, which makesstarting on an incline very easy.34