1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144 
Axor with that little bit Xtra...
Page 16
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Axor X joins Merc's fleet tractor line-up, and is aimed at pleasing owner-operators and accountants alike. Can it do both? We find out...
Words: Cotin Barnett / Images: Tom Cunningham
IF YOU'RE HOPING to sell trucks (or anything else for that matter) in these economically unsound times, one way is to expand your customer base by going for niche markets.
Each niche might add only 1% to your overall tally, but if it's 1% you may not otherwise get, and it doesn't cost too much, it's worth trying.
Daimler isn't averse to niche hunting with its Mercedes-Benz brand, whether vans or trucks, and its latest offering is the highly specified Axor X.
Deemed a "special edition" rather than a "limited edition", the X becomes a full-time member of the regular A.xor line-up. Its particular appeal is intended to be to owner-drivers and small fleet operators, with attractions for both the driver and accountant alike.
Despite initial impressions from the dealer demo fleet, "in any colour you like as long as it's black (with a broad red racing stripe running up the front)", the X is, in fact, available in a full range of colours. However, the sole cab option is the high-roof sleeper.
The example tested by CM is the 6x2 422hp12.100Nm 2543LS; a 4x2 chassis and a 395hp/2,000Nm engine give the four permutations that make up the Axor X range. Both the 12-litre straight-six engines are Euro-5 rated.
Putting it to the test To bring you the first impressions of the Axor X, we hijacked the display vehicle from the lobby of Mercedes' Milton Keynes headquarters, introduced its included Jost sliding fifth wheel to its first helping of grease and headed off into the Northamptonshire countryside with CM's laden test trailer.
Hooking up to the trailer gave us the opportunity to check out the external features, including unique badging.
All versions get a cab aero kit, while the 4x2s also get aerodynamic side panels. Not exclusive to the Axor X. the neat fold-out chassis access steps are, nonetheless, worthy of a mention.
Having had to move a big Actros to get to our trailer, the three-step climb into the Axor cab felt easy, with good grab handles helping.
Settling into the special Grammer Comfort multi-adjustable air driver's seat gives an opportunity to appreciate the Axor X's other interior features.
The radio/CD player incorporates a Bluetooth telephone connection and there's a CD storage unit built into the windscreen header unit. The dash is trimmed with a brushed steel effect, and the upper bunk boasts the Lateflex orthopaedic-friendly springing system. The bottom bunk, by the way, had been made by a well-domesticated CV press officer from Mereedes.The other major standard spec features on the Axor X are air-con and the latest PowerShift 2 12-speed automated transmission.
We drove the Axor X during a gap in the recent wintry weather, but that said, the dried salt on the road was enough to see the traction control light come on while driving out of roundabouts, even at 44 tonnes.
PowerShift 2 includes some revised software, which improves gear shift speed and smoothness. Not testing for fuel economy gave us the chance to experiment with the manual operation of the 'box, controlled by the familiar Telligent arm rest controller.
Apart from when the terrain is about to do something the transmission can't see, auto mode can rarely be beaten.
If a bit of extra power is needed, it's accessed by the throttle pedal kickdown. We're living in a world where a 430 rating is now considered "medium", but on the Northamptonshire hills, we never felt in need of more.
Maintenance package Driver attributes have certainly been increased, but whoever's signing the cheques will also be attracted by a two-year repair and maintenance package, covering annual vehicle tests and inspections, roadside assistance, routine servicing (up to 160,000km per year) and additional mechanical repairs, plus everyday wear and tear.
List prices for the Axor X start at £88,670 for the 1840LS and rise to 05,100 for the 2543LS. •