Mercedes-Benz Actros

The Mercedes-Benz Actros is a heavy-duty truck introduced by Mercedes-Benz at the 1996 Commercial Vehicle IAA in Hanover, Germany, as the replacement for the SK. It is normally used for long-distance haulage, heavy-duty distribution haulage, and construction haulage. It is powered by an inline-6 diesel engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. Daimler Trucks/Lorries launched version II of the Actros in 2002 and version III in 2007. The fourth generation of the Actros, officially named "the New Actros," launched in July 2011.

First generation (MP1, 1996–2003)

The first generation Actros was introduced in 1996, and production continued until 2003. It had innovative features such as an electronically controlled air brake system, intelligent disc brakes on both front and rear, and the introduction of Controller Area Network (CAN) technology for the chassis and drivetrain. electro-pneumatic circuit on the new transmission models and the introduction of the new OM 500 V6 and V8 diesel engines with Telligent engine control.

Chassis and Powertrain

As the first truck to emerge with collaboration between designers and aerodynamic engineers, the manufacturer was able to reduce flow resistance on the Actros by 17%.

The chassis of the Actros is available with two, three, or four axles, with the option of air suspension. A total of 3300 mm and 6300 mm wheelbases can be selected; the construction version of the Actros is available between 3300 and 5100 mm wheelbases with the option of leaf or air suspension on the front axle and parabolic leaf springs on the rear.

The construction variant of the Actros with a 4x2 axle configuration is equipped with drum brakes.

Engine and Transmission

The engines for the MP1 Actros are equipped with an OM501LA V6 or OM502 V8 mated to a 16-speed manual gearbox or a 16-speed hydropneumatically operated automatic gearbox.

Fuel Processing

Another new feature of the Actros is the Pump-Line Nozzle Fuel Injection System, an improvement over the plug-in pumps that have been used for decades. Each cylinder has its own injection pump, which is driven by its own camshaft.

Second generation (MP2, 2003–2008)

The second-generation Actros was released in 2003 with upgraded interior and exterior components such as the new Bi-Xenon headlamps, updated Euro 3 emission compliance, a lighter rear axle, and new special equipment.

Mercedes-Benz released a new special edition of the Actros, the Black Edition series, which is limited to 250 units. This Black Edition Series comes with a 612 hp OM502LA V8 engine with upgraded interior and exterior components such as bird's-eye maple, leather-wrapped steering wheel and seat covers with Mercedes-Benz "Star" badge, a specially-designed grille with chrome clasp, a new front apron with stainless steel grill, chrome-framed headlights, and chrome-plated side mirrors.

Third generation (MP3, 2008–2012; until 2020 for export model)

The third-generation Actros was introduced in 2008 at the IAA Commercial Vehicles, and it was the last facelift of the previous Actros. At the time of launch, the Actros was the first truck in the segment to offer automatic transmission as standard. 

The changes for the MP3 Actros are the side mirrors, which were adapted from the special edition models of the previous generation and have closed brackets, and slightly revised Bi-Xenon headlamps. The battery status indicator was added for the first time, as were the rain and light sensors, a world first for a truck.

The third-generation Actros ended production in 2011 and were replaced with the New Actros, but production continues in Asia and other countries until 2020.

Engines
The Mercedes-Benz Actros is equipped with two types of engines: the OM 501 LA-541 and the OM 502 LA-542. The OM 501 is a 12-liter V6 and has outputs ranging from 310 HP to 480 HP. The engine management system employed by this engine is the PLD (Pumpe Leitung Düse-German abbr), which incorporates single plug-in pumps for each cylinder, supplying fuel under pressure (up to 1,600 bar) to the injection valves. A control unit (MR) monitors all engine operating conditions via several sensors and varies the injection pressure to suit each operating need. The OM502 is a V8 engine that has an output ranging from 350 HP to 652 HP.

The fourth version offers several engine options in either Euro-5 or Euro-6. In Euro-6, inline-six engines are used in both series: OM471 with a 12,8-liter engine range power output of 422 HP to 530 HP and OM473 with a 15,6-liter engine range power output of 517 HP to 626 HP, with a fuel rail pressure of 2800 bar and a double camshaft with 4 valves per cylinder in compliant models.

Gearbox
The second generation comes with an electronic sequential gearbox that Mercedes-Benz has dubbed the "Telligent Gearbox." It pushes forward the principle used in some earlier Mercedes-Benz tractors: using the gearshift lever to command a pneumatically actuated system that changes the gears. The Telligent gearbox utilizes a computer, together with a load-sensing system on the fifth-wheel coupling, to estimate the proper gear that the truck must be in. For example, if you want to upshift, the computer estimates the load on the tractor and the current engine mode and gives you the proper gear for decreasing the engine. On the other hand, if you want to downshift, the computer assumes you wish to overtake and gives you the proper gear for acceleration.

There's an automatic version that works like the Tiptronic system found in Mercedes-Benz cars.

The fourth version, launched in 2011, offers exclusively the 12-speed Powershift transmission.

Operation
The system consists of a small lever mounted under the right armrest and a flat switch underneath. The lever is slightly tilted so that it matches the natural curve of the driver's hand when it's on the armrest. The lever has two buttons on either side. When at a standstill, the driver must push the right button, then (while holding it), push the lever forward and release it. The current gear is shown as a large number on the main display. After doing this, the driver steps on the clutch pedal and waits for approximately two seconds. After the gearshift has been completed, a double click is sounded through the speakers, and the driver proceeds with pulling off as normal.

Once moving, the driver has two choices. He or she may push or pull the lever to let the computer choose the gear for them, or they can use the splitter switch (the small switch under the lever) to pre-select gears. Either way, the gear is selected first, then the clutch is depressed. For example, if you're in fourth fast, pulling the splitter switch up once pre-selects fifth slow.

The left button (known as the "flush button," as it is flush with the lever) is used to switch to neutral.

Cabin
The Actros cabs come in four types:

 S is designed for daily operation and construction vehicles such as cement trucks. The daily cab has its front bumper lower to the ground to prevent under-run, whereas the construction version of the S cab has its front bumper higher to prevent hitting an obstacle when driving off-road on the site.
 M is designed for distribution vehicles. It offers a sleeper, though comfort has not been as focused on as in the L cab. It comes in short and long sleeper versions.
 L: low-roof long-haul cab, providing comfortable driving and rest for the driver.
 LH "MegaSpace": long-haul high-roof cab, providing comfort for long driving as well as enough space for the driver and/or passenger to freely move around the cab when needed.

Electronics
Depending on the model, either Actros 1, 2, or 3, the electronics may vary. For example, the braking system known as EPB or BS from Wabco incorporates ABS and ASR functions. This system is very reliable and efficient. The stopping distance of the Actros was drastically reduced as compared to its predecessor, the SK. In later models of Actros 2 and all Actros 3 models, the braking system was improved to EPB 2.

The electronics in Actros 1 are networked via Controller Area Network (CAN) in a system known as IES (Integrated Electronics System), with the instrument cluster as the Central Gateway (CGW) or interphase. In Actros 2 and 3, the electronics are also networked by CAN in a system known as KontAct (the concept of the electronic systems in the Actros).

There are a wide range of other electronic features offered as extras. These include lane assist (which warns the driver if they inadvertently leave their lane), autonomous intelligent cruise control (ART), which engages the brakes if the vehicle in front suddenly stops, side-looking radar for warning the driver about a vehicle in their blind spot, and many more, mostly oriented towards safety. All of them are marketed as "Telligent."

Military variants

Actros Armoured Heavy Support Vehicle System (AHSVS) is a military armored truck (86 were ordered by the Canadian Army in 2007) using the civilian Actros platform with a protected cab developed by Land Mobility Technologies in South Africa in cooperation with Composhield of Denmark for Mercedes-Benz.

Singapore uses military variants of the Actros for its Singapore Army in heavy-lift logistical support roles, designated as the HMCT (High Mobility Cargo Transporter), and recently as a launch platform for the air defense system and the intercontinental ballistic missile trailer. SAF operates 19 different versions of Actros. 

In 2010, New Zealand purchased four Actros to haul adjustable-width quad-axle low-loader semitrailers primarily for the transportation of LAVs (light armored vehicles).

New Actros (2011–present)

In 2011, The New Actros appeared for the first time. components are not shared with its predecessors. Although available at launch with Euro V emissions standards, the New Actros was designed as a Euro VI truck with the additional space required for cooling systems.

New Actros With MirrorCam (2018-present)

In September 2018, Mercedes-Benz revealed the revised 2019 Actros at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover, Germany. The vehicle now has two color displays (a touchscreen and an infotainment display behind the steering wheel), replacing the conventional instrument cluster on old Actros models, and can be integrated with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Its outside mirrors were replaced with a camera, and it can do semi-automated driving using Active Drive Assist.

See also
Dump truck
Tractor unit
Semi-trailer and semi-trailer truck
Sisu Polar
Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links
official website

Cab over vehicles
Actros
Vehicles introduced in 1989
Tank transporters
Military vehicles introduced in the 2000s