UD Quester CKE

The interior cabin of the UD Quester CKE scores well when it comes to ergonomic placement of the controls and features. However, when it comes to visual appeal, it simply lacks the character of the exterior design. 

The cabin look very basic with the two-spoke steering wheel, large analog instrument console and an array of features in the broad center console like a 1-DIN audio system, AC vents, switch panels and storage spaces, all of which are given a rectangular theme. The entire cabin is finished in a theme of dull grey, which looks quite cheap for a truck of this class. However, the fit and finish levels are decent at the same time. 

There is nothing to differentiate between the design of the UD Quester CKE with the flagship truck in the Quester lineup, the Quester GWE. The entire design has been shared between the two trucks, which make the CKE as visually appealing as the GWE, which ranks in as one of the best looking trucks currently available in the market right now.

The UD Quester CKE looks quite tall and tough when viewed from the front, with an aggressive front profile making it look a bit intimidating in the process. The main highlight of the front profile of the UD Quester CKE has to be its huge two-part grille, both of which are shaped in the form of trapezium.

While the upper part is placed on the front apron and gets two vertically aligned bulging out panels on its sides, the lower part has an inverted design and is flanked with arrowhead shaped headlamp clusters on its either side. The headlamp units also come integrated with clear lens turn indcators within them. The body colored front bumper gets black colored moldings on its lower corners, which comes integrated with rounded fog lamps.

The side profile of the UD Quester CKE doesn’t look as individualistic as the front profile, but still it manages to be in line with the overall design very well. The tapering down window waistline, rear view mirrors hinged on the door panels, curved edges on the rear lower corners and semi-rounded wheel arches are some traditional design elements which are there in the UD Quester CKE as well. The wheel arches come finished with black plastic molding, which flow in along with the side steps and fog lamp surrounds, thus giving a rugged look to the truck. 

The UD Quester CKE has been armed with rubber journaled V-stays and reduction rods. Along with the rubber springs between leaf springs and rear axles, the chassis components of the UD Quester CKE are strong enough and perform smoothly enough for its purpose. The truck comes equipped with a full air brake system, which gets the assistance of an automatic slack adjuster and exhaust brake system.

The UD Quester CKE shares its 8-litre GH8 series engine with other trucks in the Quester range, like the GKE. Engineered with the Volvo D8 engine as its base, this powertrain of the UD Quester CKE makes 330 bhp of maximum power output. Power is channelled to the rear wheels via a 9-speed manual gearbox.

The UD Quester CKE comes with safety seat belts and an optional ABS, which serve as the basics of the safety equipment list of the truck.

While the UD Quester CKE is quite small as compared to other trucks from the Quester range of heavy-duty trucks from UD, it is capable of doing all the operations of a traditional heavy-duty truck with a capable chassis and reliable engine under its skin.