UK launch for Actros line-up
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• lercedes-Lienz has launched its Act-cis range in the UK: 4x2 and 6x2 tractor variants will be available from late December, with more to come next year at prices substantially lower than previous SK models. All UK models will have ERS as standard.
Distribution (premium day NI cab) Fleet (standard sleeper I. cab) Long Distance
(high roof sleeper L cab) Executive (Megaspace cab) From the buyer's point of view the most surprising change is that Mercedes has decided to follow Volvo's lead by reducing discounting. A current Euro-2 1834LS would be listed at £64,270 while the nearest Actros model (a Fleet-spec 1835LS) is around 20% less at £51,500. Realistic on-the-road costs will be much closer, of course.
Actros tractors will be sold in four basic specifications, from the Distribution model with a premium M-Series day cab (the shorter S-cab is an option, saving £1,250) up to the Executive range, fitted with the Megaspace sleeper cab and only available with the vee-eight OM 502 engine, The 4x2 models have wheelbases of 3.6m or 3.9m, while 6x2 mid-lift axle models have an outer axle spread of 3.9m. All versions have rear air suspension; front air is a £2,270 option.
The Telligent electronic braking system is standard, though it is a "delete option" (saving 1700) on Distribution and Fleet models. Telligent semi-automatic transmission is another standard feature which can be deleted (saving £350) while the fully automatic Autotrans option costs £1,765.
The range is far from complete: Actros 6x2s with Hendrickson third-axle conversions continue to displace twinsteers; heavy-haulage units have yet to be announced, and drawbar units will come on stream early next year. Mercedes is in the middle of a complete
4 revision of its range. The 4 first eight-leggers will arrive this time next year, followed by new 6x2/4s and a 1 7-tonne range to replace the LN2.
The company is also known to be working on a "global" truck in the 3.5-9.0tonne sector: this is being designed in the US and could provide strong competition for manu f a c t urers such as lsuzu.