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New Actros is a smooth operator

17th October 2002
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Page 20, 17th October 2002 — New Actros is a smooth operator
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• When DaimlerChrysler UK launched Axor at this year's NEC Show its truck marketing men must have heaved a sigh of relief. Now they could finally re-position Actros where it always belonged— as a truly hi-spec "flagship" tractor. They haven't wasted much time. With the arrival of new Actros, the process of putting clear blue water between the two has already begun.

Out go Actros day cab tractors and power ratings from 320-410hp. They're too close to Ayer, Merc's real UK fleet machine. Actros now comes with a choice of two re-worked full-height sleeper cabs, including the voluminous MegaSpaCe Cabin, also available with an all-whistles-and-bells "Executive" package that includes a fully-automated Telligent transmission.

You can have any engine you like in your new Actros—as long as it's in V-configuration. And with a power spread of 440580hp from the latest Euro-3 V6s and V8s there are plenty to choose from, proving that Scania isn't the only 'V in town.

Don't ask for a 12-litre in-line six (as used in Axor1—you'll only be disappointed. According to Merc the V6 and V8 Actros diesels will be around till at least 2010.

Meanwhile, Actros continues to be Merc's platform for advanced heavy truck technology. Building on the previous "Telligent" EOS brakes and transmis

sion, there's now Telligent Proximity Control, Stability Control and Roll Control plus the option of weight-saving wide single drive axle tyres, and the fitting of enhanced "KontAct" electronics with fewer connections and greater reliability. In the words of Klaus Maier, boss of the Mercedes' truck business, the launch of New Actros has been all about "retaining v proven features and improving the D tive ones, along with "making custom re-experience the Actros anew".

Right-hand drive production start ,Aily 2003 although New Actros make official UK debut next March at the r Show.

From the outside

• New Actras caps feature a face-lit front with a more slippery profile— aerodynamic drag rating, or "Cd", is better. Revised corner deflect reduce wind noise and also cut di "cab soiling"--dirt sticking to the d handles to you and me.

Merc's designers have also mara to soften the appearance of the pr ously austere Actros front. Below curved grille with trademark thi pointed star are larger, variable ft headlamps shining through clear-look covers flanked by high-beam ilghts. If want to see further at night you can s xenon headlamps which provide twice lighting power for half the wattage—; against the normal 70W lamps.

The left-hand side and centre of Actros' rear cab wall have been exten

aids by around-12cm in order to promore internal bunk space. All UK els will also be sold with a full air manment kit as standard.

ith the adoption of the latest HL6 sod-casing back axle (already fitted xor) Mere has shaved 90kg off the as' kerbweight; further savings of up 00kg are possible by speccing widee drive axle tyres, which have the

added bonus of having lower rolling resistance. Unfortunately, it's doubtful whether UK operators will be able to make the most of wide singles (see left).

Mercedes has also developed what it describes as a modular chassis/rear axle suspension system with a "component carrier rear end' that provides more space for chassis-mounted equipment including fuel tanks and, for the future,

exhaust after-treatment equipment.

Last but not least (particularly for !hose hauliers who still view Actros' hi'Lech spec with suspicion), Mercedes has revised its electronic CAN network so There are more decentralised electronic control units feeding into the main KontAct base module.

Consequently, the number of plug connectors has been cut by 46% while total wiring is down 15%. Diagnostic capability has also been enhanced.

On the road • Cm drove a number of New Autos tractors at 40-tonnes last week in Germany. First up was an 1846 MegaSpace with the latest 460hp rating V6. MegaSpace, mega height—it takes

four steps to get up to the driving seat but you're rewarded by a flat floor and good vision when you get there.

The 460hp unit is pretty torquey, particularly around the 1,200.1,400rpm mark, Re-locating the Telligent gear selector to the driver's seat is a smart move. With the armrest down your hand naturally falls onto the rocker lever— perfect ergonomics.

For such a big cab the MegaSpace offers a very impressive ride and handling. (Merc has put some work into the four-point cab suspension and rear axle damping), Indeed at times we seemed to oe literally floating along—the only time the ride was anything other than super smooth was on the typically "old Germany" slab concrete autobahns. However, support from the latest driver seat is superb.

Mere has created a neat "Hill Holder" function on the brakes. When you pull up to a junction or lights and keep your foot down on the brake pedal for a few seconds the service brakes then stay on even though your foot isn't on the pedal. Re-engaging the clutch and applying the throttle then automatically releases them.

The new dash-mounted handbrake is also easier to use. The steering is light and effective and overall noise levels are whisperingly quiet too.

Our test tractor was fitted with the optional Telligent Proximity "smart" cruise control that detects slower moving vehicles in front (particularly as they reduce speed to exit the motorway) and backs off the throttle to maintain a preset gap of between 55.60m. In real-life it provides a useful check in busy traffic— you're not having to set then reset the cruise control all the time.

However, the system's radar scanning area was wide enough to occasionally pick up low overhead road signs and gave a warning beer The Actress cruise control auto matically resumes after gear changes and exhaust brake/retarder applications.

Looking around the top-of-the range cab, fit and finish was top class and few drivers will complain about the overall comfort and room in the MegaSpace.

We next tried an 1854 with the big V8 and normal Long Distance sleeper. The intrusion of the engine into the lower-mounted cabin is noticeable but not significant. On the road the 540hp V8 proved to be a real "lugs-downto-1,000rpm-and-recovers" machine— there's so much torque on tap you can pull away comfortably in third low, before block-shifting to fifth and only using splits on the top two gears.

Last of all we tried out the lowest (UK) power rating 1844 but with the two-pedal automated Telligent box. We still reckon Autotrans is the best auto box on the market—not least due to its "point and fire" simplicity. There are no extra overrides or options.

Just select "A", press the throttiE simply think about steering and bra The matching of the 440hp V6 to Autotrans was uncanny with the tronics making lightning-swift deck as the road conditions changed, Ar some tough slopes the 440hp V6 shE surprisingly strong pulling power.

The verdict

With New Actros Mercedes has pi traditional build quality back into a 1 which offers superb long-haul con' More importantly the market has changed since the Actros' original ii duction so its hi-tech spec shod longer be intimidating. Based on our taste New Actria tractor worthy c title "flags Drivers and of tors are in fi

very ple.i surprisE

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People: Klaus Maier

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