V10 Mercedes at Frankfurt
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by P. A. C. Brockington, MIMechE
A NEW V10 engine developing 320 bhp (DIN) powers new ranges of Mercedes-Benz trucks and tractive units that will be exhibited for the first time at the Frankfurt Show which opens on September 11. The unit has a weight-topower ratio of 6.271b /bhp and in line with power-increasing improvements applied to other diesels produced by the company it incorporates pistons that have been reshaped to give additional power and a modified injection pump. Tractive units to which the V10 is fitted are designed for a g.c.w. up to 38 tons.
All Mercedes-Benz full -forward-control trucks are now equipped with a synchromesh transmission while the steering and the clutch mechanisms are available with servo-assistance. Semi-forward-control models feature the type of long leaf spring fitted to the full-forward-control range in the interests of driver comfort and to give fragile cargoes a soft ride. Three-blade windscreen wipers with two wiping speeds are included in the equipment. The wiping area is some 73 per cent of the total.
Four new trucks and tractive units are equipped with air suspension which can be controlled to increase the height of the chassis frame by as much as Bin. This enables the frame level to be adjusted to match loading decks of varying heights and it provides for handling demountable bodies. It also facilitates the coupling of a tractive unit to a semi-trailer.
General delivery trucks in the 6/9 ton category are supplemented by the LP811, which is powered by a 110 bhp (DIN) diesel and is rated at 7.49 tons gross and the LP913(8.99 tons gross) which is fitted with a 130 bhp unit. The range of export models is augmented by the addition of the L1617, L1621 and L1921 four-wheelers, by the L1813 mediumheavy six-wheeler and the 1817 6 x 4 truck. Vehicles of 16/19 ton rating are available with a 130 bhp, 170 bhp on 210 bhp diesel.