Scania Black Amber has limited appeal

Here at motoring.com.au it’s no surprise we’re big fans of low volume, factory-fettled hot rods.

Pump up the grunt, add some mouth-watering carbon-fibre, flash paint, decal-embroidered sports seats and mention the words ‘limited edition’, and we go all weak at the knees...

So upon sighting in Melbourne recently the Scania Black Amber – a tricked-up, 100-only, special edition prime mover that looks to have more in common with a Summernats show car than any Hume Highway hauler, we were suitably impressed.

That’s despite the big, R-Series model having a much greater cabin height, a tonne more drag, and a few more wheels than we’re used to!

Although Scania’s Black Amber has been on sale in Europe for about a year, the local arm recently snared two examples of the exclusive model, one of which is set to be the star of this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

From the outside, the 6x4 Black Amber immediately hooks you in with its dark brown metallic paintjob that, like any good hot rod turns a different shade – burnt orange – in sunlight.

Visible from almost every angle are numerous accents including black carbon ‘flames’, chrome detailing, piano black trim and countless ‘Black Amber’, V8 and Griffin badges. Adding further bling are polished bolts and wheel nuts on gloss black aluminium rims, complete with chrome finisher rings.

Take three, big steps up into the relatively spacious and luxurious Scania Highline Cab, and the Black Amber theme continues with sculptured, black leather seats with carbon black centre sections and orange V8 graphics.

There’s a black perforated leather steering wheel with Black Amber inserts that could have come straight out of a BMW saloon, and a black leather centre floor mat with Black Amber V8 trim strip.

Like any good ‘limited edition’, the Black Amber features a large, signed and numbered, painted plaque behind the driver, to leave you in no doubt you’re in something a bit special.

The factory collaborated with acclaimed Scania enhancer, Svempa, to produce its latest show-stopper, which follows in the tyre marks of Scania’s recent Dark Diamond special edition.

There’s no talk of any performance enhancements, but with up to 537kW and 3500Nm from the sweet-sounding 16.4 litre V8 engine, who’s complaining?

Nor did local Scania execs mention pricing, or any premium over a standard R-Series model, but we’re guessing at least Mercedes-Benz C 63 ‘Edition 507’-type money .

Meanwhile, Scania is aiming to reduce drag as well as fuel consumption with the re-introduction of its Streamline model to Australia later this year. Available in G-Series and R-Series cabs, the Streamline features among a number of enhancements a more aerodynamic frontal design, low drag gearboxes, revised Opticruise automated gearchange system, and something you don’t often see in a truck: a motorsport-inspired Recaro driver’s seat.

And to bolster its green credentials, Scania will be one of the first truck manufacturers in Australia to offer cleaner, Euro 6 engines from late-2013, despite the strict Euro 6 specification not officially required in Australia until at least 2017.

Despite all its industry-leading technology and eye-grabbing show specials, Scania remains a niche player in the Australian truck market, accounting for just over 500 sales annually, or around five per cent of the local market.

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