CM says
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
As befitting a flagship motor targeting the long-haul driver, the Actros really stands out in all the key areas you would expect. The flat floor (MAN and Renault are the only other two to offer this) allows the driver to navigate the cab with ease.
Storage in the Actros is also a key element. With four external lockers, anything toxic, muddy or wet can be stored outside the living area.
Internal storage is superb, and clothes, perishable food, paperwork, maps and home entertainment can all be stowed out of sight and out of harm’s way.
Overall, the cab test found little to discredit Actros, save for a lack of controls by the upper bunk. Both cabs delivered a sound night’s sleep for the test team. The orthopaedic top bunk in the Actros, with a width of 790mm, is 110mm wider than the upper bunk in the Axor. It gives the driver a genuine sense of space and comfort, and Actros proved quieter than the Axor in the noise test.
In terms of security, both trucks have the three basic devices (dead-locking, central locking and alarm) and are fitted with a Thatcham H2 immobiliser as standard.
While Axor loses out on space and storage (and doesn’t have a flat surface for paperwork or a laptop), its key assets are based on the simplicity of the cab and its Spartan design. Gaffer’s truck it may be, but its working environment will suit a lot of drivers too.