he high-tech Actros is now a familiar sight throughout Europe,
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although still not quite in the numbers that its makers would like. Mercedes-Benz still feels some frustration at its slow acceptance by people happy to entrust their business to a E600 PC and go on their holidays in a fully computerised aircraft controlled by an overloaded air traffic system.
The Actros came to the party powered by the highest rated of the V6 family of 11.9-litre 24-valve unitinjection motors. Its power output of 430P5 (or 422 of Her Majesty's true imperial horses) was the highest of the group and it showed, being markedly faster on every leg of the route and on every acceleration and hiliclimb test. That's impressive enough, but it was only beaten on fuel economy on one leg, and it managed to complete the route with fewest gear changes to boot.
Said gear changes were made with the manual version of the Telligent system, which uses a conventional clutch to activate pre-selected shifts. With the chosen gear selected, the clutch must be pressed in a deliberate and leisurely fashion if the single relay click of a successful change is not to be replaced by the staccato chorus of disapproval that accompanies a failed attempt. The two operating buttons (one at the front of the lever for split changes, the other on top for full shifts) can also be confusing to the novice as they seem to operate in opposing directions to each other. But once learnt the Telligerrt concept turns Into a faithful ally which does what you want it to, as long as you let it do it in its own way.
Most of the Actros' electrickery is reserved for the braking system. Discs front and rear have ABS as a matter of course, but the EBS system provides constant high-pressure air right to each corner where it is released for the short, final part of its journey by electronic actuators. The result is vastly improved speed of response. ASR traction control is thrown in for good measure. The on-road results of all this technology contributed to winning scores in the performance and economy sections, while a victory in the safety section was largely down to that braking spec. The Merc's constant-throttle engine brake was also the most powerful of the group, allowing the quickest controlled descent of the test hill.
The interior is much as before; the main improvement is the new "semi-intelligent" dash panel with its optimum bands for economy and engine braking illuminating as required. Although the driving position suited most testers, CM's representative found it impossible to tilt the backrest of the otherwise comprehensively adjustable seat far enough forward for comfort.
While the Actros' best performance is in the areas that will most appeal to those in the world of cost centres and budgets, it's by no means unappealing to the person sitting at the sharp end. This is certainly no mere gaffer's motor.