The “Solo 500”, designed by Francisco Podadera, was the final card played by Pegaso; as such, it unveiled a revolutionary vehicle at the 1989 Barcelona Motor Show.
And for its time, it certainly was – let’s look at the details… In the cab, everything was electronic; conventional gauges had been replaced by screens, and the steering wheel looked more like that of a Formula One car of the time than a lorry’s. It controlled all the lorry’s most important functions; the lorry was unlocked using a card, and it didn’t have wing mirrors either – just video cameras.
As for the interior, it was spacious and comfortable; you could stand upright inside the cabin and it had a fairly wide bunk. The dashboard was rather unusual, as it housed several television screens and there wasn’t a single conventional gauge to be seen; what caught the eye most was the steering wheel, which we’ve already mentioned. The doors were sliding and the steps leading into the cab were retractable.
Let’s talk about its engine; the vehicle’s model already suggested that it was meant to deliver 500 cv. To achieve this, the well-known 12-litre engine was chosen, with modifications to the piston bore and the addition of a turbocharger and a fuel injection system… The most interesting thing is that ceramic components were incorporated into the engine to achieve those 500 cv.
But the project came to a standstill just as it had secured 10 orders for the vehicle to be tested in real-world conditions. It’s a shame, as it would have been a genuine technical and technological revolution and a major leap forward in the world of commercial vehicles.
Remember that at Vallor Trucks you’ll find the lorry you’re looking for; we have a wide range in stock:
