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Drivers' delight
Page 70
Page 71
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CM tests CVs every week. In the used vehicle section we dig into our archives to put you on the inside track when hunting through our classified ads for a bargain. This month we're focusing on the Mercedes-Benz Actros.
In 2003 a series of roadtests at 44 tonnes were starting to give us a solid picture of what operators should expect from the new breed of heavies. One of the last contenders to go round our three-day Scottish test route was M-B's newly installed flagship, the Actros, complete with its Megaspace cab.
The Actros 2546LS Megaspace introduced electronics to the heavy truck market in 1997. Like all pioneers it had teething problems. This led many loyal Mere operators to hold on to their beloved SK series, or take their custom elsewhere. Undeterred, Mercedes continued to develop its Telligent-based electronics, and by the end of the 20th century the Actros had become a well-established, solid performer.
Prime mover
At the time of our test Mercedes had just launched the Actros at the CV show in Birmingham, a year after the Axor.
With the bottom end of the Actros discontinued it still provided options between 18 and 44 tonnes,but the rigids were destined to serve as drawbar prime movers rather than stand-alone vehicles.
In 2003 Actros buyers had a choice of two engines and two cabs. Merc's own 0M501LA Euro-3 12-litre charged-cooled V6 DI turbodiesel was available at 394,428 and 456hp with peak torque outputs of 1,850, 2,000 and 2,200Nm respectively. Turning power into motion was the G211 16-speed synchromesh range-change box with Telligent electronic gearshift and pre-selection. Heading the line-up was the 16litre 0M502LA DI V8, rated at 476hp/2,300Nm and 530hp/ 2,400Nm.Transmission in this case was the 16-speed 0240.
CM's test vehicle was the 2546LS with mid-lift powered by the 456hp engine. Optional extras included sat-nav, two very different seats, alloy wheels, and remote central locking with automatic window closing, metallic paint, air horns and an air management kit. All this cost £8,155 on top of the base model's £64,171, giving an as-tested price of £72,326. Current CAP retail value is £30,250 (ex-VAT);still well above the threeyear Price quoted by CAP CV Monitor which was £26,800 (ex-VAT) at the time of test.
Clear roads
Our test was conducted during a chilly February—the ambient temperature never rose above 5`"C — but with clear skies, no cross or head winds and clear roads we couldn't have asked for better conditions.
With that in its favour the Actros 2546LS returned an overall fuel figure of 7.10mpg. Overall time and performance for the test was not overly affected by the extra three tonnes — on the trunking sections of the route it matched previous 41-tonne tests —but hauling 44 tonnes over the mountains on the A68 inevitably took its toll on fuel consumption.
Those early 44-tonne tests showed that the less powerful tractors led the way, merrily ignoring the industry's established benchmark of 10hp/tonne. The Scania R114 420 produced 7.51mpg while the Daf CF85.430 returned a class leading 7.69mpg.
For operators fuel is king, but it is worth considering how a lower-rated engine would cope day in, day out hauling 44 tonnes. The 2546LS was quicker than any competitor over the Aroads and motorway, and matched its peers over the severe gradients, so getting the load delivered on time shouldn't be a problem. •