The New Actros: a new dimension in truck design… without compromise.

The Mercedes-Benz Actros has been a multi award-winning truck model for the manufacturer for the last 15 years: Truck of the Year 3 times; Truck of the Decade; Guiness World Record holder for the most fuel efficient truck in the world at 40 tons. So, how can a truck with this pedigree be improved upon? Simple, it can't be; that's why Mercedes-Benz has decided to design a completely new truck – from the ground up! After many years of intense work, engineering design and test, Mercedes-Benz is delighted to present The New Actros… are you ready for the biggest revolution to hit the UK truck market in a decade?

The development process for The New Actros began 11 years ago at Mercedes-Benz… their team of specialist engineers and designers realised there would be many demands on trucks of the future:

• Environmental and Safety legislation is driving many changes: Euro 6, low emission zones in many European cities, mandatory fitment of safety systems such as Stability Control.
• Requirements in Cost Effectiveness: in an industry with amongst the tightest margins of any, where competition is fierce, cost effectiveness is paramount; not just in fuel usage but also reliability and total cost of ownership.
• Customised Product Solutions: making do with something unsuitable is no longer an option for many Health & Safety driven truck companies and having the right tool to do the job becomes essential to drive efficiency upwards.
• Shortage of Drivers requiring High Comfort Standards: high quality drivers are hard to find: recruiting and keeping the best drivers is a way to maximise profitability and this requires an attractive workplace.

These realisations lead them to develop The New Actros from scratch, designing it without compromise, determined to exhaust every opportunity to improve by taking the best of the current Actros features and technology and adding to them:

• Comfort: The New Actros will excel in the field of comfort helping to retain the best drivers and maximise productivity.
• Driving Dynamics: the driving dynamics are second to none, elevating the safety of the vehicle and enhancing the comfort of the driver and safety of the load.
• Economy: The New Actros delivers where it matters most, in economy: not only through a massive reduction in fuel and AdBlue consumption but in maintenance, reliability, productivity and total cost of ownership.
• Product Portfolio: the range of available options from wheel configurations and wheelbases to cab and storage options is immense making it possible to configure the right vehicle for your long distance transport operation, whatever that entails.

Upfront

With a range of cabs to provide for every long distance application The New Actros is truly flexible and unique: 2 widths, 2.3 metre or 2.5 metre both with a choice of flat floor or engine tunnel making the 2.3 metre version unique in its class and 4 roof configurations:

• CompactSpace: for application specific tasks.
• StreamSpace: aerodynamically optimised for the lowest fuel consumption in the range.
• BigSpace: living and working space in excess of today's MegaSpace.
• GigaSpace: full height, maximum space with 2.13 metre headroom.

The Inside Story

A completely re-configured and structured cab interior puts The New Actros at the forefront of uncompromising design offering the maximum useful space for the driver and the best possible aerodynamic performance. The interior has a bright and cosy atmosphere with clear definition between working and resting areas, based on the floor plan of a 3 room apartment, which means the cab stays clean.

Working…

• Black Console: all areas that are touched during the course of the working day are black keeping the cab area clean in the dirtiest working environments.
• Fingertip Instrumentation: the gearshift is now on the steering column and the most important information is presented to the driver via the new and intuitive central dashboard display.
• Multi-function Multi-media: a new multi-function steering wheel putting all the most often used controls where they are most needed and a wide choice of productivity and entertainment tools available factory fitted, including truck-specific SatNav, built into the dash.
• Ergonomic Dashboard: a wraparound dash means all the controls are placed in the optimum position for the driver.
• New Seat Generation: new seats specifically designed for The New Actros feature 40mm wider bases, instinctive adjustment and suspension tuned to the vehicle, a choice of 7 different covers including leather and ventilated options and, for the first time, the option of a massage seat for driver and passenger.

Resting…

• Sleeping like at home: with a wide bottom bunk as standard and the option of a 600mm or 750mm wide top bunk, the newly designed beds offer supreme comfort.
• PremiumComfort: a much thicker foam mattress and the option of Memory Foam.
• Fully Adjustable: a tiltable backrest section to the bunk allows the driver to select the best angle for comfort when either sleeping or resting.
• Heat and Light: dual controls for the heater and lights means greater convenience whichever bunk is chosen.

 

Behind The Grille

Mercedes-Benz prides itself on its engineering perfection and The New Actros is no exception; exceeding the standards of Euro 5, EEV and Euro 6, the new Straight Six engine range gives a transient response that is exceptional, with power availability just when you need it! The engine is designed with fuel consumption performance at the forefront and uses innovative technology to achieve this, although not at the expense of longevity, reliability and performance: at launch in April 2012 the OM471 engine range will be available with 4 engine types developing 310Kw to 375Kw and up to 2500Nm of torque.

The gearshift provided by the Powershift 3 automatic transmission is faster and perfectly matched to the characteristics of the engine and driveline, giving a superior driving experience.

New aligned suspension elements and rear suspension designs are combined with a wider frame made of extremely high grade materials to give improved road-holding and handling.

The new driveline with the aerodynamically optimised cab and chassis, in addition to such innovations as a controlled water pump and automatic radiator shutters, gives The New Actros fuel consumption figures which beat the current model by 7% at Euro 5 and 4% at Euro 6, both with reduced AdBlue usage. This was recently proven under public and independent scrutiny by the DEKRA test house in the Guiness Book of World Record's run in 2011.

Fleetboard, the innovative on-board computer telemetry system exclusive to the Brand, is standard on The New Actros which through driving-style analysis and training can lead to a further 5-15% reduction in fuel consumption.

And talking of fuel, Mercedes have also considered the variants required when it comes to fuel tanks: a wide choice from 290 litres to 1300 litres in two heights and two widths.

An increased design life and reduced maintenance costs on the base vehicle, which offset those caused by Euro 6 technology help to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership too.

A wide range of safety features are available including:

• Electronic Brake System with traction control
• Active Brake Assist 2
• Stability Control Assist
• Roll Control Assist
• Tyre Pressure Monitor
• Lane Assistant
• Driver Airbag
• Proximity Control with Stop & Go
• High Power Engine Brake
• Secondary Water Retarder
• Rain & Light Sensors
• Fifth Wheel Coupling with Locking Sensor
• Auto-Adjusting mirrors for manoeuvring
• Hazard Warning Lights (automatic in the event of full brake application)

What a Body…

The widest range of Chassis variants yet and a full range of wheelbases gives you just the right tool for the job at hand in The New Actros. With variable frame overhang available straight from the Factory and more versatile frame heights this new Mercedes flagship is impressive.

Testing, Testing…

Productivity isn't just about speed or fuel usage; reliability matters most, so prior to the 3 summer and 3 winter testing phases, in climates as diverse as the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Circle, Mercedes-Benz carried out 2,600 hours of wind tunnel testing, 50 million kilometres of engine testing on a test rig and Factory pre-testing of every single part of The New Actros. In addition, the 4.5 million kilometres of real life running, of complete vehicles on public roads, along with the use of proven technology, optimised to suit The New Actros, means a supremely reliable product.

The New Actros really has been proven where it matters; before it goes to Customers!