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LOOK NO HANDS!

2nd September 2004
Page 52
Page 52, 2nd September 2004 — LOOK NO HANDS!
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Mercis Atego AutoTrans is already ou there, cruising the urban jungle. So is it workhorse or warrior?

Mercedes-Benz has introduced its latest weapon to take on the urban jungle, the two-pedal Atego Telligent AutoTrans.The Atego unit is an electronically-controlled version of the familiar GR6 six-speed synchromesh box with automated shift and clutch. It's available on all Ategos from 7.5 to 18 tonnes, with engine ratings from 150 to 230hp. Fifty examples of the auto Atego are already in service, many with blue-chip fleets such as 3663 and TNT.

For our test, we used an Atego 815•The 7.5-tonne chassis' higher speed limit allowed us to experience its abilities over a wide range of conditions: through the gridlock that is Putney High Street; then taking the M4 and M25 out of London and back into Surrey.The curtainside body was loaded to around half its payload.

Atego AutoTrans's controls are simple:in place of the usual gear lever is a stubby quadrant with a button on each side.The one on the left is pressed to select neutral, with a safety lock on the right. Behind the quadrant is a rocker switch for manual or automatic modes.A display in the dash information panel indicates the selected gear and, in manual mode, the suggested alternative if necessary.A brief flash of the amber main warning light confirms change of mode.There's the usual kickdown facility and the control system will adjust change up points according to throttle position.

Getting under way in automatic mode, the changes into second and third feel relatively ponderous, certainly slower than manual changes would be. But the changes are much quicker higher up the speed range, and all are smooth enough. Downshifts are also smooth, but are often accompanied by a significant blip of the throttle as the electronics synchronise the speeds within the box -not a problem in itself, but a feature capable of producing apoplexy in any economy driving trainer.

The Atego has no problems with the amount of driver control available in lowspeed manoeuvring. It takes practice to perfect the balance between throttle and park brake on hill starts but, once mastered, the process is totally judder and jerk-free.The only negative is the slight delay to respond to sudden demands for power.

If the driver needs to take over the controls, instant override is available by nudging the quadrant without having to go into manual mode. In manual mode, shifts are made by pushing or pulling the lever.The AutoTrans seems to have less engine braking than a conventional manual, resulting in fairly heavy use of the service brakes in stop/start traffic.An exhaust brake may well pay for itself faster than usual.

Talking of paying leads us on to our only real concem.While Mercedes can equip the Sprinter with the similar SprintShift and the fully automatic torque converter box for around £700 and £1,400 respectively, and Volvo can provide its I-Shift heavy truck system for around £1,500, the £1,956 asked for self-changing gears on an Atego seems a bit excessive. I

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Locations: Surrey, London

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