Mercedes' VS Powerliners
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• Mercedes-Benz is bringing in six new 38-tonne Powerliner tractors units for the Motor Show, headed by the mighty 1748LS and 2448IS versions. The 4x2 1748 and the 6x2 twin-steer 2448s benefit from the 353kW (480hp) turbocharged and intercooled veeeight, making them among Europe's most powerful trucks.
The 1735$ and the 24355 receive the vee-eight in 260kW (354hp) turbocharged tune in 4 x2 and 6x 2 forms respectively. In the 4x2 1729S and the 6x2 2429S, M-B retains a naturally-aspirated vee-eight in its line-up with the uprated 213kW (290hp) unit.
The range features a new M-B gearbox design, replacing the previous ZF units. On all of the range arriving in the UK, M-B's Electronic Power Shift (EPS) is standard with no option of a normal manual shift. Justifying this, Alan Grigg, M-B UK's product marketing manager, claims that EPS has been "totally successful in the hands of the operator".
Drive-axle air suspension is fitted as standard on the powerful 1748LS and 2448LS chassis, and is a listed option on the other Powerliner 2 models. The interesting 249kW (330hp) vee-six engine should arrive in the UK during 1989.
The potential sales performance of the new range will depend to a certain extent on the overall level of the market. After a buoyant period in 1988, Mercedes is relatively optimistic about next year.
"Some manufacturers are predicting a fall in sales next year, but we think that sales in 1989 will match the volumes achieved this year." states MB UK managing director Hans Tauscher. On the subject of harmonisation, Tauscher says: "I don't believe that 1992 will affect manufacturers in a significant way — we have been operating across European boundaries for many years."
Dealing with M-B's home market, Tauscher adds that he feels it is already a "free market", and sees no reason to fear a change in Mercedes' dominant position.
According to M-B, the trend towards ever-more-powerful trucks will continue and industry figures show that over 70% of artic tractor purchases are now in the 187-261kW (250350hp) range. Geoff Cash, MB UK's commercial vehicle general manager, describes how this had affected the popularity of individual models: "Up until 1987 our 187kW (250hp) 1625 was our number-one seller. Since then, however, this model ranks only third behind our more powerful 1628 and 1635 tractors, and we see no reason why this will change."