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DRIVING IMPRESSIONS The main part of our test driving was
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carried out in a Euro-5 Actros 3346 6x6 tipper, which we drove on the 35km journey to the Unimog off-road demo site. Its performance was every bit as strong as you would expect from 449hp propelling 32 tonnes; even more impressive was the effect of its 2,300Nm of torque. Although the Telligent semi-auto box is not our favourite device, that much torque means changes are considerably less frequent and can be taken in a more leisurely manner. In fact four gears probably would have sufficed. We only heard the dreaded
staccato rattle of a rushed shift once, for old times' sake. Despite its off-road-biased tyres, the ride was quiet and comfortable, with just a hint of understeer betraying the layout.
At the off-road track, performance was even more impressive. The controls for low range and the various diff-lock combinations were a pair of easily operated rotary knobs. Hill-hold proved even more useful off-road than on, and the exhaust brake handled descents approaching 1-in-1 with ease.
We also tried a 10-tonne Atego 4x4 offroad, in what the Germans call 'winter service'
trim, complete with snowplough brackets. The short wheelbase provided excellent manoeuvrability, almost giving it the goanywhere feel of a Unimog, and the six-speed manual box supplied just enough ratios.
Completing our sampling of the range, our mount for the return journey to Worth was an Axor 1833 4x4, with a power-to-weight ratio of 18.3hp/tonne. This time transmission was the basic Axor nine-speed manual box with its slap-across change. Pausing only to have our wheels washed (thus proving the value of having an in-house fire brigade), the 35km
journey on local roads and motorways took no time flat. Again, the only clue to its off-road ability came from the relative lack of grip from the front axle, requiring a bit of circumspection on tight German motorway slip roads.
Having experienced the pre-sales resources available to buyers and a practical demonstration of the products' abilities, it's easy to see why Mercedes dominates its home construction market.
With a seriously competitive product for the UK at last, we predict it will soon begin to move in the same direction here.