Mercedes-Benz aero trailer and rigid could slash fuel bill
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By Colin Barnett ORIGINALLY SHOWN as a proof of concept at last autumn’s Kortrijk trailer show, MercedesBenz had fully functional aerodynamically-optimised artic and rigid Actros models on display.
The trailer, which has now undergone considerable testing to ensure the theoretical improvements promised are replicated on the road, is designed to be a proper working vehicle. Georg Weiberg, Daimler Trucks’ head of truck product engineering, insists that the design has to work with existing tractors with no modiications and to deliver the same level of operational practicality as current trailer designs.
He adds: “It needs to have the same cargo space. We aren’t prepared to compromise capacity.” For example, the design of the rear side extensions still allows the doors to open through 270°, and the rigid version incorporates a full-closure tail-lift. The aerodynamically essential rear extensions will it within the 500mm extra length allowance expected to be announced by European legislators shortly.
Trials of the artic have shown an 18% improvement in aerodynamic eficiency, which translates into a 4%-5% improvement in fuel economy. The improvements for the already more eficient rigid version are slightly lower, at 12% aerodynamic and 3% fuel. The initial trailer is built by Schmitz Cargobull, but Daimler is inviting other bodybuilders to share the idea.
The expected cost premium is in the region of €5,000 (£4,000), giving a payback within two years.
l Two years ago, MAN unveiled its Concept S tractor at Hannover with great fanfare. This year it was back, and now it has a matching trailer, courtesy of Krone. The MAN/Krone outit is rather more of a demonstration of wishful thinking, showing what could be achieved if legislation changed dramatically to allow dimensions to increase by more than the expected 500mm of extra length.