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ELECTRONIC WIZARD?
Page 42
Page 44
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The Adios led the way with electronics, and while initial problems were well documented, Mercedes says ifs tackled them. CM finds out whether a two-year-old V8 Megaspace should claim a place in your fleet.
When truck and van manufacturer Mercedes-Benz launched the Actros in 1997 it not only replaced the legendary SK, it also introduced electronic engineering and innovation to heavy trucks. Being the 'Pied Piper' meant it was the first to experience the pitfalls and bonuses brought about by bringing new technology to a traditionally conservative marketplace.
Changes are necessary for truck technology to enjoy evolution and, before it was replaced this year with the second generation, the Actros tractor had overcome its shaky start and proved a reliable performer.
The VS is the top-of-the-range flagship, available as a Long Distance version but more importantly as the MegaSpace version, complete with flat-floor— the ultimate in driver comfort. Six months after its launch, Mercedes revealed its Autotrans-equipped Actros as an optional extra; take up was slow and the Germans were forced to offer it as a no-cost option for six months in 2000, to help boost sales.
Product profile
Overall, the choices for the VS are fairly minimal and seemingly available in twos; axles, cabs and power ratings. For 40 or 44-tonne work, there is the 4x2 or 6x2.A splitlevel floor and one step less defines the Long Distance option with the flat-floor MegaSpace getting a fifth step into the cab.
The 16-litre charge-cooled diesel engine that underpins the V8 line up is Merc's 0M502LA, available with true ratings of 469hp and 523hp at 1,800rpm. It's backed up by 2,300Nm and 2,400Nm peak torque, respectively at 1,080rpm. Tkansmission is the G240-16 fully synchromesh gearbox, incorporatingTelligent electronic gearshift. Autotrans (EAS) is the alternative package which has manual selection and override — it also has a fold-down clutch for emergencies, but otherwise it's a two-pedal motor.Another first.
Y233 WEG is a 6x2 tractor with MegaSpace cab and 469hp rating under foot,complete with Autotrans gearbox. It was registered 9 July 2001 and built up 140,000km over two years, or 1,350km per week — a pretty low figure which suggests short-haul work.
Further evidence to this is the fact it has tipping gear fitted, with a split fuel tank on the nearside to cater for oil.Traditionally the V8 is a long-haul truck and its limited number on the road helps to maintain a strong residual value. In keeping with the Actros status, and its low mileage,Mercedes-Benz has placed a £39,000 (ex-VAT) price on it.
However, Cap's Red Book for Used Commercial Values for August 2003 sees it a little differently and quotes £36500 for the Y-plate 2001 truck but with bigger mileage. Cap also penalises tipping gear when it comes to price, devaluing it by £3,000 as potential customers perceive it to have had tougher work than simply long-distance trunking.
There are two ways of looking at this — it has fewer miles, and therefore represents a rare opportunity; or it's been hammered mercilessly for two years.
Any clues to its first life are elusive as it has been worked through Charterway Hire so it could have easily spent two years with one operator or seen more drivers than hot dinners.
The service history is clean but judging by the regular services made by Dingle Garages in Gwynedd,Wales. the majority of the mileage was accumulated in the first 12 months.The fifth wheel was repaired for an unspecified reason at 139,000km.
Bottom line CM was forced off the beaten track by roadworks closing the A483 south of Newtown to repair a landslide into the River Ithon. It also gave us a chance to check out an alternative route, the A470 heading south-west from Newtown to Llangurig where we joined the A44 to Leominster via Crossgates. In all, we travelled an extra 23.1km. The extra route and diversion for a truck fire off the A5 helped Y233 WEG clock up an extra 15 miles on its way to recording 6.7Impg on a very interrupted A-road section.The motorway was less eventful,just one accident and one set of roadworks to contend with, and we were able to register 8.51mpg which helped to boost the overall fuel figure to 7.21mpg.
Complete with tipping gear. the Actros 2548