Your typical HGV is used to transport goods from A to B, but sometimes the capabilities of these vehicles can be taken to another level. As providers of HGV insurance we take a look at the some of the most extreme trucks on the planet.
Shockwave jet powered truck
With flames shooting from the exhausts and clouds of smoke trailing behind, this truck means business! Kicking out a mind boggling 36,000 horsepower and able to reach a top speed of 376 mph the Shockwave is the fastest jet-powered truck in the world. First built by Les Shockley in 1984 and now driven by father-son duo, Neal and Chris Darnell, this crazy machine can cover a quarter mile in just six and a half seconds, powered by three Pratt and Whitney J34-48 jets. To put things into perspective, this truck is faster than a Japanese bullet-train!
World’s longest road train
From terrifyingly quick to ridiculously long, this world record holding Australian road train really measures up. In 2006, a Mack Titan driven by John Atkinson pulled 112 semi trailers, equalling 1,473 metres (just short of a mile long!) for 100 metres. Australians really seem to take this record seriously, with all other previous attempts coming from down under.
Going sideways
The Becx TDS Racing drift truck is far more than an average HGV. Weighing in at 4.5 tonnes and boasting 1,100 horsepower, complete with roll cage, modified engine and custom made shock absorbers, it’s an all-out drifting machine!
Built by Dutch race team, Becx TDS Racing, the truck is based on an MAN TGS which has been shortened to make it more compact and rigid, perfect for performing some of the jaw-dropping drifts and stunts in the video.
Luxury lorry
This unbelievably glamorous truck belongs to Sultan Ibrahim Ismail of the Malaysian state Johor, who needed something of substance to tow his speedboat. Built by Australian truck makers Mack, it’s claimed that it could be the most expensive truck in the world. Although the actual price is a closely guarded secret, it’s thought to have cost in excess of $1 million (£804,200), smashing the previous record of $481,000 (£386,820).
This big-rig boasts an array of features including a fold out double bed, refrigerator, kitchen complete with a grill, two flat screen TVs, Bose sound system and wooden floors, stone-covered tops and gold embroidery throughout. The luxury doesn’t stop there; out back you’ll find a sun deck with space for deck chairs, parasols and a BBQ.
Do you know of any other extreme trucks worthy of the list? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.
