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Bringing in the changes

18th September 2008
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Page 16, 18th September 2008 — Bringing in the changes
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We get an exclusive first drive in Mercedes-Benz's new construction version of the Actros range...

Words: Andy Salter

AS WE REPORTED last week, the roll-out of the 'new' Mercedes Actros range will continue at the IAA Truck Show in Hannover, with the launch of the construction models.

We use inverted commas around 'new', because we remain unconvinced that this is a genuinely new vehicle. since the changes on the construction range, like the road-going tractor, are limited to minor modifications.

That said, the Actros eight-wheeler remains a formidable, if rather hefty, alternative to the more established players in the tipper chassis sector.

For the record, here are the revisions to the range. According to the Mercedes engineers, there's 22 of them, over and above the exterior styling modifications made to the road-going machine. They begin with the addition of a number of tweaks aimed at improving efficiency For starters, the new Powershift transmission is introduced in the multiwheeler line-up for the first time, although, unlike the tractor range, Mercedes is not making the automated two-pedal version standard. In the auto version, the shift programme is focused on performance, not comfort, ensuring fast changes up and down the box.

Minor alterations

Next up. on the efficiency front is the offering of a new longer rear axle ratio. Recognising tippers, even in Germany, are spending more time on the road, Actros is now equipped with a taller ratio, allowing higher cruising speeds at lower revs, with the resultant fuel efficiency improvement.

Durability-wise. Actros benefits from a host of minor alterations that protect the truck from the rigours of off-road work. These consist of a new under-run guard plate for radiator and engine, optimised movable cab steps, enhanced mirror protection, new guard plate under the main tank, steel protective grille for headlights and a new guard grille for the rear lights. This is hardly the stuff to set pulses racing, but does ensure the Actros is well protected from body damage on site.

Finally, there's a few bits to address the ease of bodybuilding on the Actros. For instance, the vertical exhaust is now adjustable to fit any body height, while there's a range of Meiller tipper bodies now available ex-works, although we doubt UK users will take up the offer.

We had the opportunity for a decent spin around a gruelling off-road course in a laden eight-wheeler chassis on a recent visit to Mercedes' all-new test track near the truck factory in Worth. The €80 million facility allows the engineers to carry out durability testing on different surfaces, which will ensure all Mercedes products offer maximum reliability from day one.

Driving the Actros

While the test track didn't give us the chance to put all of the new features to the test, it gave us ample chance to reacquaint ourselves with the product benefits of the Actros cight-legger.

From the outside, the enhancements give the truck a rugged performance, and white the interior is focused on the practicalities of tipper operation, that's not at the expense of comfort or quality — the Actros has, arguably, the best tipper cab around. The view from the drivers' seat is superb, and the slight curve to the dash brings all the controls nicely within reach. You're sat up high in the Mercedes tipper, and, while we may complain that this can leave you feeling remote from the road, that's not the case here.

The steering gives good feedback and the handling of the chassis ensures the driver is able to hustle the truck along while retaining a good feel.

Axle articulation and chassis flexibility were tested to the full over these operating conditions, and not surprisingly, the Actros gave a good account of itself.

Very steep inclines on loose gravel were taken without recourse to difflocks and the 45 degree descent was possible using just the engine braking. The air suspended drivers' seat ensured all the bumps were smoothed out and the noise levels in the cab were commendably low, even though we were working the engine very hard. O

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Locations: Hannover

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