Saviem PX
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Defunct | 1980 |
| Successor | Renault R-series |
| Products | Heavy-duty trucks (rigid and tractor trucks) |
| Parent | Berliet |
The Berliet GR (rigid truck) and TR (tractor truck) represented two generations of heavy-duty trucks manufactured by Berliet. The initial version appeared in 1961, designated GRK10, equipped with the 1957 Relaxe fixed cab. The second generation was introduced at the 1970 Paris Motor Show, showcasing the more angular KB 2400 cab. Both Berliet and Saviem brands were discontinued in April 1980, with the GR/TR series succeeded by a revamped Renault R-series that utilized the KB 2400 cabin.
Design
Berliet's lineup of heavy trucks primarily employed straight-six diesel engines, while the second generation added a 14.9-litre V8 to the powertrain options. Early models were identified by displacement-based codes such as TR10 and GR12; however, beginning in 1968, the naming convention shifted to power-based designations like GR/TR200 and GR/TR250, reflecting incremental engine enhancements.
The original cab design was fixed in place, but the introduction of the KB 2400 brought a tilting ("basculante") cabin that facilitated easier engine access for maintenance. Initially, these trucks came with a six-speed single-range gearbox; by the 1970s, Berliet expanded transmission choices to include six variants, some sourced from ZF Friedrichshafen and Fuller Manufacturing.
First generation
The series launched with the GRK10 rigid truck and TRK10 tractor, both featuring the 1957 Relaxe fixed cab and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 19 tonnes. Power came from a 9.5-litre inline-six M 620Z diesel engine produced under license from German manufacturer MAN, with gear selection controlled via a dash-mounted shifter. In 1964, heavier-duty models GR12 and TR12 were introduced, equipped with a larger 12.0-litre M 635 engine. Berliet published maximum power figures using SAE standards—slightly higher than DIN ratings—with the original 9.5-litre engine delivering , which rose to after an update in 1968 (M 620P). The 12.0-litre unit initially produced at 2,200 rpm; versions exported to Germany had similar specifications but were rated . The upgraded powerplant in the GR/TR250 claimed . Although post-1968 vehicles bore designations such as GR/TR200 and GR/TR250 for marketing purposes, they remained officially classified as GR/TR10 and GR/TR12 by the Service des Mines.
A lower-powered variant named GF12/TF12 was designed for European markets restricted to a 10-tonne limit; only thirty units were manufactured. Berliet actively petitioned French authorities to uphold a more lenient 13-tonne limit to safeguard domestic sales against foreign competitors. Models equipped with a 6×4 drivetrain carried an "H" suffix (GRH/TRH). Some first-generation trucks like the TR250 continued production alongside second-generation models until 1973.
Second generation
At the 1970 Paris Motor Show, Berliet unveiled the GR/TR300 featuring a contemporary design by . Due to its accelerated development timeline, this model experienced reliability challenges, leading to its replacement by an improved GR/TR320 in late 1972. In 1973, the lineup was reorganized, ranging from the GR205 up to the GR320 just prior to the onset of the 1973 oil crisis. A facelift introduced in 1975 repositioned headlights into the bumper and refreshed interior appointments; this cab design was later adopted by Ford for their 1975 Ford Transcontinental and subsequently by Renault in their R-series from 1980 onward.
Lower-weight variants continued utilizing inline-six diesel engines with optional turbocharging. The TR205 model released in 1973 was powered by an M 620T engine producing , while TR260 and TR280 models featured a 12.0-litre engine. The initial TR300 was fitted with a robust yet unreliable 12.8-litre V8 delivering and of torque; however, frequent failures involving engine components, transmissions, and axles tarnished Berliet's reputation. Only 778 units were produced before this model was superseded in July 1972 by the more dependable GR/TR320 equipped with a larger 14.9-litre engine generating slightly more power at . In late 1977, Berliet introduced the turbocharged six-cylinder GR/TR305 (MDR 635), matching the former TR300’s output but offering increased torque: at 1,400 rpm. By late 1979, this engine incorporated Renault’s fuel injection system (MIDR 635), raising power to and torque to .
To rival Volvo’s Globetrotter series, Berliet launched a premium Centaure edition of the GR/TR range. Developed by coachbuilders , it debuted at the 1978 Paris Motor Show featuring a fiberglass raised roof, bespoke paintwork, chrome embellishments including smokestacks, and an interior outfitted with amenities such as a kitchenette, external shower, toilet facilities, sleeping quarters, air conditioning, and upscale finishes.
TR280D
Berliet focused its export efforts mainly on former North African territories, benefiting from France's allowance of higher axle loads compared to other European nations. To broaden its market reach, the company launched the TR280D in 1974, designed with a axle load. Production totaled around 300 units, predominantly distributed in Belgium and the Netherlands. Berliet deliberately avoided regions with established domestic competitors; for example, Italy and the United Kingdom demanded right-hand drive configurations, while Switzerland enforced strict width restrictions. Although a right-hand drive variant of the TR280D was engineered for the Italian market, its power output was limited to , which failed to meet Italy's minimum requirement of 8 horsepower per ton, resulting in very limited sales.
Saviem PX
Between late 1978 and April 1980, prior to the integration into Renault Véhicules Industriels (RVI), the GR/TR lineup was also sold under the Saviem brand.[1] Models offered included the PX 28 (corresponding to the GR/TR280), PX 30 (matching the GR/TR305), and PX 40 (the V8-powered GR/TR350 delivering ). The primary difference lay in the front grille branding, which prominently displayed a Renault emblem on Saviem vehicles.[2]