Mercedes powers in
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• Three new Mercedes tractive unit models make their British Motor Show debut next week and significantly widen the company's range of 38-tonners.
The 1635S and 2035S have replaced respectively the 16338 and 20338 4 x 2 and 6 x 2 tractive units. Retail prices have been increased by about 6% in each case, the 1635S sells at 238,720 the 2035S at 2.44,930, but the kerb weights have been reduced.
The 261kW (350hp) DIN 1635 is about 150kg lighter than its predecessor, while the 2035 tractor with the same turbocharged, 14.6-litre vee-eight engine is about 80kg lighter than a 2033. MB (UK)'s new top-of-therange tractive unit is the 1644S, 4 x 2 which has the turbocharged and chargecooled vee-eight 0M422LA engine with a maximum power rating of 320kW (4354).
The engine developments which have led to the higher power, greater torque, and improved fuel consumption from the Mercedes vee-eight were described in CM October 26, 1985.
As promised by Mercedes last year, all the new models are fitted as standard with the EPS gearshift system which provides electronic — instead of the normal, manual — control over gear selection.
EPS stands for electropneumatic shift, but Mercedes-Benz (UK) has adapted the initials to stand also for electronic power shift. All the new right-hand-drive tractive units are dubbed Powerliners The 1644 lays claim to being the most powerful truck in production in Europe. It is certainly the most potent ever offered by the German manufacturer in the UK and the first to go on sale here with the wider and taller-than-normal G (grossraum) Mercedes sleeper cab.
The availability of existing 1625, 2025, 1628 and 2028 tractive units will not be affected by the introduction of the new models. says Mercedes. It is likely, however, that the engine refinements made to the high-power engines will also be applied to lower-power Mercedes veeeights within the next year.
Mercedes has not revealed any plans to follow lveco by introducing a 300kW plus 6 x 2 tractive unit for the UK. The company says that 75% of its 38-tonne tractive units sales continue to be two axle models.