M-13 steps up heavy truck attack
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• Mercedes-Benz (UK) will have added two tractive units to its heavy truck line-up by the end of the autumn in the shape of the 191kW (256hp) 1726 and the vee-six-powered 249kW (334hp) 1733.
First to arrive will be the 1726, which replaces the longserving 1625, popular with fleet operators. According to M-B (UK) it will go on sale in the middle of the year. The 1726 is powered by a derated version of the 213kW (290hp), naturally-aspirated 0M442 veeeight engine fitted in the 1729.
Peak torque provided by the 1726's derated 0M442 power unit is 981Nm (723Ibft), compared with the 1729's 1,10011m (8121bft).
M-B (UK) hopes that the 1726 will appeal to the same sort of operators as the 1625. It will be sold with either the short or long sleeper SK cab. The 1726 comes with the new Daimler-Benz 12-speed GV4 splitter synchromesh gearbox.
Possibly the more interesting of the two tractors, however, is the 1733, which will provide M-B (UK) with a tractor in the middle of the popular 224-281kW (300-350hp) power band for 38-tonne operations. Mercedes says it will be available from the third quarter of the year.
The 1733 Powerliner 2 is fitted with the charge-cooled 0M441LA engine, which has a peak torque of 1,365Nm (1,0071bft) produced between 1,000 and 1,600rpm. Following the current Daimler philosophy on transmissions, the 1733 has the electro-pneumatic EPS gearchange system.
With the arrival of the 1726 and 1733, M-B (UK) will also be looking at replacing its current eight-leggers. The existing 3025 is expected to be succeeded by a new model with the naturally-aspirated vee-eight engine used in the 1729 tractor.
It could also be joined at a later date by a high-powered variant using the 249kW veesix engine.