Actros action
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Intake Transport runs the new and current Actros units side by side. Is there a noticeable difference in how they perform?
This month, we turn our attention to Mercedes-Benz heavy tractor units, with a head-to-head between an MP3 Actros and a 1VIP4 New Actros.
The most important objective of any new vehicle is that it must out-perform the old range, and the best way to find out whether this has been achieved is to ask an operator who runs them both.
Operator opinion Richard Burgin, Intake Transport director "We have run the odd Mercedes tractor unit over the years. We had an early Actros 1840 with the lower-mounted Long Distance sleeper cab. It was a fair machine, but there were issues with the electronics, which were sorted eventually. We tended to go for Daf and Scania after that as they offered what we were looking for at the time.
"Local dealer Northside in Sheffield has always been very attentive. Carl Belch, the sales contact, kept pushing us to try another Actros. We eventually tried a 2546 Actros with the big MegaSpace cab. It performed well and we were reasonably impressed with it in the long term, and tried a couple more.
"In this period, we opened our depot in Scunthorpe because a lot of our work is in that area, and now most of the vehicles are based there. Ironically, the Mercedes dealer that covered the entire Humberside area went out of business, and Northside provided cover in the interim period and was eventually given the franchise right across the region. They would collect trucks from our Scunthorpe depot, take them to their nearest workshop in Yorkshire, then service and return them to us. They now have premises in the area and offer us a high level of service throughout the region.
"Because of this, we decided to give Mercedes a try when we needed to replace eight trucks in one go.
"We got a number of dealers to quote for replacements and Northside was by far the most competitive, both in terms of capital cost and part exchange allowance. Also, their R&M costs were significantly lower, so we placed an order for eight 2551 tractors with the V8 engine and MegaSpace cabs. They have all performed well so far and are good workhorses. The big engine is very low-stressed at 510hp and should last a long time. All of our cargo is heavy and we try to run loaded as much as possible, and invariably at full weight.
"The fuel returns are reasonable, although it took nearly a year for the V8 engines to bed-in. They return between 6.6mpg and 725mpg. The smaller 12-litre V6 engine is better on fuel, but it doesn't have the low speed torque of the big engine and needs to be left to lug down at low revs. I took one out the other night and was quite impressed by it. The cab has plenty of room, the Powershift gearbox works well, and overall I'm quite pleased with them so far.
"After this, it was a natural progression to try the new Actros. I went to the customer launch and was really impressed with the new range. Mercedes has made a huge step forward. Carl brought one around for us to try and we took it out over the hills with a loaded trailer. I'd made my mind up to buy one by the time we got back to the yard, although I didn't tell him that!
"We decided to push the boat out a bit and ordered a high-spec 2551 with the GigaSpace cab and quite a few options. We gave it to Gary Pine, one of our Scottishbased drivers, who has been with us for a long time and really looks after his trucks. He is over the moon with the New Actros and I am very pleased so far.
"It returns a good 1mpg more than the old model, and is ahead of almost any other truck we operate on similar work. If it continues to perform this way, we will definitely have some more, it's rekindled my interest in trucks again."
SPECIFICATIONS Mercedes-Benz UK Actros M P3 2551LS 6x2 tractor unit with MegaSpace high-roof sleeper-cab 2011 3,900mm wheelbase, plated 23,400kgs, GVW44,000kgs, front axle 7,100kgs, rear bogie 17,000kgs, rearair suspension (two bags peraxleJ, MercedesBenz single-reduction drive-axle, non-steered lifting pusher-axle, 295/80R33.5 tyres on all axles, 450-litre alloy fuel tank, 60-litre plastic AdBlue tank, batteries mounted on rear of chassis Mercedes-Benz UK New Actros M P4 2551LS 6x2 tractor unit with GigaSpace high-roof sleepercab 2012 3,900mm wheelbase, plated 24,100kgs, 0VW44,000kgs, front axle 7,100kgs, rear bogie 17,000kgs, rear airsuspension (four-bag drive-axle/two-bag pusher-axle), Mercedes-Benz single-reduction drive-axle/ non-steered, lifting pusheraxle, 385/65R22.5 tyres front, 315/70R22.5 tyres rear, 450-litre alloy tank/70-litre plastic AdBlue tank, batteries mounted on rear of chassis Manufacturer Model Year of manufacture Chassis 510hp (375kW) at 1,800rpm 2,400Nm (1,7701.1NN at 1,080rpm Mercedes-Benz Powershift 2 0281-1212-speed constant mesh automated, direct-drive top gear, manual override function Mercedes-Benz ON471LA, Euro-5 (available Euro-6 and EEVJ, 12.8-litre, in-line six-cylinder, with X-Pulse common-rail fuel injection, SCR exhaust aftertreatment, exhaust and enhanced engine brake 510hp (375kW) at 1,800rpm 2,500Nm (1,8451.1A at 1,100rpm Mercedes-Benz Powershift 3 0281-12 12-speed constantmesh automated, direct-drive top gear manual override function, enhanced software Engine Mercedes-Benz 0M502LA, Euro-5, 15.93-litre V8, turbocharged and intercooled, electronic unit injectors, SCR after-treatment, exhaust and constant throttle engine brake Maximum power Maximum torque Gearbox 14.93.1 to 1.00.1 1,382rpm (with std 2.929 axle ratio] EBS-controlled air-operated disc brakes on all axles 14.93.1 to 1.00.1 1,300rpm (std. 2.85.1 axle ratio] EBS-controlled air-operated discs on all axles GigaSpace high-roof sleeper, with flat floor, twin bunks, internal and external storage, full air-deftector kit Fixed fifth wheel, full catwalk with additional storage, side skirls, aluminium wheels, top-mounted Light bars and beacons, additional chrome trim Ratio spread Engine revs la 56mph Brakes Cab MegaSpace high-roof sleeper, with flat floor, twin bunks, internal and external storage, full airdeflector kit Additional equipment Fixed fifth wheel, full catwalk with additional storage, top-mounted Light bar and beacons Intake Transport, Scunthorpe and Sheffield Northside Truck and Van, Sheffield/Immingham Mercedes-Benz United Kingdom Intake Transport, Scunthorpe and Sheffield Northside Truck and Van, Sheffield/Immingham Mercedes-Benz United Kingdom Operator Supplied by NEW ACTROS Mercedes set itself quite a task in redesigning its entire truck range. With the replacement for the existing Actros/Axor ranges firmly in place and other versions set for introduction throughout 2013, it would seem the manufacturer will shortly have a suitable truck for virtually every imaginable application.
The launch of the new range was timed to perfection, ahead of any of the competition. By continuing to offer the old range until the middle of next year, Mercedes has been able to provide a well proven alternative to operators who instinctively steer clear of new products.
Meanwhile, the increasing number of New Actros tractors we see in fleets that previously bought other makes must gladden the hearts of sales managers. It appears quite a few of these trucks are being supplied on fixed-cost two-year contracts at competitive prices.
This might well prove to be a smart move because the manufacturer will have a ready supply of clean, used Euro-5 trucks available through 2014/15 to offer customers who cannot afford the big step-up to a new Euro-6 truck of any make but still want the latest technology.
CM opinion Both these trucks are involved in what some might feel is the slightly old-fashioned business of haulage, as opposed to integrated logistics or some other modern terminology. Much of the workload involves transporting steel in its many forms — girders, bar, angle, plate, coil, wire, virtually every type possible. Flat trailers, fixed and extendable to accommodate loads in excess of 20m or more, make heavy demands on man and machine. Capacity loads are the norm and drivers need to be able to chain, strap, rope and sheet, and secure any type of cargo.
The 510hp of the longestablished 16-litre V8 Actros is not that much of a volume seller, with the 460hp and 480hp versions of the 12-litre V6 tending to dominate the sales figures. The additional cost, combined with increased unladen weight and a potential fuel penalty over the more frugal V6, work against it. Most V8 customers seem to go for the 550hp or 600hp versions, but once again the numbers sold don't seem to be that great.
However, if the operation is arduous, with big payloads and high mileages, the bigger engine has that extra margin of durability. They are capable of very high mileages and sell well in export markets even when 10 years old or more.
Despite the MP3 Actros being at the end of its production span, it still drives very well. The engine is well matched to the Powershift transmission, the V8 engine has a lovely burble and pulls from well down the rev range. Early versions used to have overdrive transmissions combined with hub-reduction drive axles. The current direct-drive/single-reduction set-up improves top gear flexibility and fuel use. The ride is firm, but well damped, and roll is well managed despite the high seating position. The MegaSpace cab is still an excellent workplace, with plenty of storage inside and out.
Overall, it's a fine machine, but spend a bit of time behind the wheel of the New Actros and the old model soon seems dated. The new truck has an equally high driving position, but the view in all directions is so much clearer, which is quite an achievement considering the old model has always been one of the better designs in this respect.
The new model's ride and handling are in a different league, as is the gearbox. Powershift 2 was a big improvement over earlier Mercedes automated transmissions, but version number 3 is far better. Gear selection from rest and low-speed clutch-control are as good as the mighty I-Shift.
It would appear Mercedes has achieved exactly what it intended with the new range, with lower fuel consumption, better performance and handling, along with new levels of driver comfort, although long-term durability is yet to be proven.
The old model has a slight advantage though with the engine note. The V8 burble might not pay the bills, but it does put a smile on your face.
Fuel consumption Actros MP3 V8 510:8.8mpg to 7.25mpg NewActros MP4V6510: 7.25mpg to 8.25mpg TYRES Low-profile 70-series tyres have enjoyed greater popularity in mainland Europe. The strictures of the 4m overall height limit and a desire to maximise load space mean hauliers are concerned about chassis height, but do not always want to suffer the costs and operational issues associated with ultra low-height chassis on 60-series tyres. In the UK, height is not really an issue.
In most big fleets, 80 series tyres are very much the norm. Fifth wheels are generally 1,250mm to 1,270mm high, and the bodywork is just built upwards as it is required.
We think a change might well be in the air. New truck ranges such as the New Actros are designed around 70-series tyres and it's the same with new products from Volvo and Daf. Quite a few of the biggest cabs require these tyres to remain below 4m.
Overall gearing is another important factor. The combination of ultra-high axle ratios to keep engines at their most fuel-efficient while retaining top gear gradeability is a complicated science. Most of these combinations work best with 70-series tyres. Take Scania's overdrive gearbox for instance; the slight increase in engine revs with the smaller tyres makes an appreciable difference. We think British operators might find themselves pushed in this direction in future. In the long-term, it might have real benefits. After all, why spend a fortune on expensive aftermarket air-deflectors and other equipment when the truck chassis and load platform are far higher than they need be?