One of the most well-liked long-haul trucks in the world is the Actros, the 2020 International Truck of the Year. Additionally, it is the top-of-the-line truck in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. What makes it so well-liked and prosperous? To find out, we took a look at this famous truck.
The Mercedes-Benz Actros is manufactured by Daimler Trucks & Buses, the great dame of trucking, and was first made available internationally in 1996. The corporation, one of the biggest commercial vehicle producers in the world, employs almost 100 000 people and has more than 35 key locations worldwide. Since its release, the Actros has sold more than 1.2 million copies globally.
What the vehicle is all about
The Actros that we drove is the most recent model available from Mercedes-Benz (we make this point because transport operators often have to wait for the very latest trucks to come to this market). In September 2018, the new Actros had its world premiere in Berlin, where it was first seen by commercial vehicle journalists from all over the world. Later that month, at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover, the public reveal took place. After we took the car for a test drive in Barcelona in 2019, it was named the 2020 International Truck of the Year at the Solutrans exposition in Lyon. In the middle of 2020, the Actros was subsequently introduced in South Africa.
Buyers of Exterior Actros have numerous options. Seven cab variations in two widths and three roof configurations are available (ClassicSpace, StreamSpace and GigaSpace). The GigaSpace cab of our test vehicle boasts a massive 2.13 m floor to ceiling height between the seats. Four thoughtfully placed steps lead into the cab. Even a "vertically challenged" driver would not struggle to enter the car because they are useful for drivers of all heights.
Interior I adore the Actros' interior. It is also highly user-friendly, clean, and stylish (it wouldn't appear out of place in one of the brand's always-so-posh passenger cars). Our test vehicle had a StyleLine interior, which meant that it had several chrome accents and trim pieces. Additionally, it had a gorgeous leather quilted driver's seat that appeared to belong in a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. There is an electronic handbrake and a start/stop button that are used to start the engine (conveniently situated on the dash, so you can easily walk through the cab without being obstructed).
The most important inside feature is the MirrorCam, a well-known camera system that takes the role of the exterior mirrors (although it is also an exterior feature, of course). The system only uses digital cameras and displays, which I think is fantastic because it offers a noticeably improved all-around view and eliminates the need for mirrors, which also lowers fuel consumption due to the compact digital cameras' significant aerodynamic benefits.
The cameras are fastened to the roof frame's right and left sides. Two 15-inch panels with a 720 x 1920 pixel resolution show the collected photos. These are fastened to the cab's A-pillars. The driver's field of vision is increased as a result of having a clear, diagonal view past the A-pillars. Additionally, the coated lens offers the best defense against dust in the field of vision.
It does take some getting used to when using the MirrorCam for the first time. But in all honesty, it just takes 10 to 15 minutes to get the hang of it, after which you won't want to use regular mirrors again.
The new Multimedia Cockpit is another interior element that merits note. Two 10-inch color displays, which replace the traditional instrument cluster's speedometer, rev counter, and fuel gauge, are the brains of this system. Behind the steering wheel is where a driver can locate the primary display, which contains all the essential driving-related information. Lighting, heating, air conditioning, and telephone functions are all controlled via the second flat-screen panel, which has a touchscreen feature. Additionally, it can show the vehicle's state, including axle loads and tire pressure.
The Multimedia Cockpit's touch control pads on the new multifunction steering wheel make it possible to operate virtually all of the displays (on both the primary and secondary screens) (also known as finger navigation pads). Because you never have to take your eyes off the road when using the touch control buttons, the driver can safely use both screens while operating the vehicle.
Drivetrain The new Actros is available with a variety of Euro 3 and Euro 5 engines from Daimler. The Euro 3/5 OM473 engine (520 and 580 hp), the Euro 5 OM473 engine (420 and 450 hp), and the Euro 3/5 OM471 engine are all up for grabs (630 hp).
The impressive 630 horsepower motor, with a maximum torque of 3000 Nm, was presented to us. With a 15.6 l capacity, this in-line six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz engine performs admirably at all speeds. At a modest 800 r/min, roughly 2500 Nm is available just above idle speed. That torque is greater than the most torque that many engines in large vehicles can produce.
At 1100 r/min, the maximum torque is accessible. Actually, a large portion of the pulling power—roughly between 900 and 1400 r/min—is accessible throughout a wide range. The engine's performance then immediately reaches its peak. Over a very large engine speed range, this attribute results in superb driveability.
The OM473 powertrain has a reputation for being both reliable and fuel-efficient. The new Actros, however, consumes diesel even more sparingly than previously thanks to Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC), which is a feature of the vehicle. PPC creates an electronic horizon that is used to optimize shift points, gear selection, and speed using digital 3D route maps and GPS data. By doing this, it is possible to acquire a driving style that is tailored to the terrain, which is typically out of the reach of even seasoned drivers. Up to 5% of gasoline is allegedly saved as a result.
Transmission
The transmissions in the new Actros are the same as those in the Actros 4; they are unaltered. This is advantageous because the 12-speed Powershift transmission performs an excellent job of accelerating the truck quickly and smoothly through the gears.
Safety
The addition of Active Brake Assist 5 is the key safety news, which is really positive for pedestrians (because it protects them like never before). A three-stage warning system alerts the driver if Active Brake Assist 5 identifies the possibility of a rear-end collision with the vehicle in front, with a stationary object, or with a pedestrian who is crossing in front of the car, walking toward it, or walking in the same lane. A visual and audio warning is shown first. Following then, braking is applied at a speed of around 3 m/s, or roughly 50% of the maximum braking power. When the driver still doesn't react, the system applies maximum braking force, bringing the vehicle to a stop if necessary, and turns on the danger warning lights at speeds below 50 km/h to alert oncoming traffic.
Numerous additional "standard" safety features are also present in the Actros, including as Roll Control Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Attention Assist, Proximity Control Assist with stop-and-go functionality, and Stability Control Assist (ESP). The new MirrorCam is a crucial safety element as well.
Our Judgement
We can wholeheartedly suggest this truck as a risk-free investment, which is further supported by its high residual values. The truck's durability is also famous, and Mercedes-Benz dealers also provide excellent service.