First view of Meres future cab
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EXCLUSIVE by Brian Weatherley • Mercedes-Benz's long-awaited new heavy truck cab may still be two years away from an official launch, but a heavily disguised prototype has been spotted running in Germany and it looks like addressing many of the criticisms of the current SK Powerliner cabin.
While the dummy grille lacks the famous three-pointed star, the back axle, mirrors and door handles all point to the big white truck being a Mercedesdeveloped vehicle.
Although the German truck maker is keeping characteristically tightlipped about its new star, which won't break cover until 1996, Commercial Motor can reveal that
the new heavy tractor will have a more spacious cab, which is about as wide as the G (Grossraum) cabin currently available only on Mercedes' 1838, 1844 and 1850 tractors.
Although the cab pan
els fitted on the prototype tractor are unlikely to represent the finished shape, they do show the increased width along with an extended EuroCab-style roofline.
Three broad, well-placed steps should greatly improve the existing SK cab's less-thanperfect access.
Along with the latest Iveco EuroTech and Daf 75/85 Series tractors, the new Mercedes heavy cab is expected to have an increased amount of corrosion-free composite/plastic panelling around the front wheel arches and grille.
Development
The move to a standard wider cab has been driven partly by Mercedes' planned development of a range of low emission vee engines which will be slightly wider than the existing vee six and eights.
Features of these new power units include what Mercedes is describing as a "stiff" unit pump fuel injection system and four valves per cylinder technology. Both measures are designed to meet future emission legislation.
A narrow version of the new tractor cab will be offered along with an all-new in-line-six diesel currently under development with a capacity of around 6.85 litres.
This engine could also power multi-wheeler rigids.
With the arrival of a new cab and engines Mercedes-Benz could launch a revised version of its EPS gearbox.