Introduction
Mercedes splits its Actros tractor range into four distinct cab models: Distribution, Fleet, Long Distance and Executive. These have, respectively, a day cab, a standard sleeper, a high-roof sleeper and the massive MegaSpace cab (at an equally massive £5,670 more than an equivalent Long Distance model, albeit with quite a few extra features). The Long Distance model is available in two or three axle versions, with the 12-litre V6 OM501LA engine rated at a nominal 350, 400 or 430hp, or the 16-litre V8 OM502LA rated at 480 or 530hp – the most powerful 570 V8 engine is limited to the 4x2 Executive model.
Product Profile
The Actros we tested was a mid-lift 6x2 chassis fitted with the 430hp (actually 422hp) V6 in Euro-3 form, and the standard 16-speed synchromesh gearbox with Telligent pre-selector gearshift. The fully-automatic Autotrans gearshift is a £1,686 option on all but Executive models, but if you’re Luddite enough to want a perfectly conventional shift, a regular gear lever (with an hydraulic mechanism) is a no-cost option. The direct-drive gearbox is matched up to a tall 2.93:1 final drive – and this time it’s a single-reduction axle rather than the less efficient hub-reduction unit fitted to the earliest Actroses.
Another innovation when the Actros was being launched was its braking system: disc brakes all round, with Telligent (again) electronic control to optimise brake force distribution, set trailer braking levels and minimise brake wear. The Telligent system is a delete option on Distribution and Fleet versions (saving £668), but can’t be deleted from Long Distance or MegaSpace models.
Our test vehicle had a few other options including a second bunk and air conditioning but the most unusual feature was Merc’s Electric Cab Tilt system: an electrohydraulic pump weighing about 5kg that replaces the manual pump. The pump is controlled by two switches: first you have to “arm” it with a control set on the dashboard, then a lever beside the pump itself controls the raising and lowering of the cab. We timed the operation at 82 seconds to raise the cab, 51 seconds to lower it. But all this is academic at the moment as the £396 option has been “withdrawn for technical reasons” according to Mercedes-Benz, with no satisfactory explanation.
Productivity
As one of the first mainstream Euro-3 tractive units to go through our hands, we were eager to see just what the Actros could do. The headline figures aren’t amazing, but it did pretty well in terms of fuel consumption, staying within a couple of percent of the best of its rivals overall, and matching them on the toughest sections. Productivity was better than for the earlier (smaller cabbed) Actros 1835 too, the drop in fuel consumption being more than made up by better average speeds and, of course, the increased payload from operating at 41 tonnes. The conclusion here has to be that Euro-3 need not cost as much as some operators have feared.
Payload has always been a thorny issue with the Actros, and the 2543 Long Distance weighed a couple of hundred kilograms more than the competition. But this is a red herring as almost 200kg is due to a larger fuel load because the Actros comes with twin fuel tanks as standard, which total a whipping 780 litres. And full makes to Mercedes for being scrupulously honest: the tractor hit the weighbridge at precisely the weight stated on its spec sheet.
Take a look at the “How It Measures Up” chart on page 29, starting at the bottom: see anything interesting? That’s right, the price – the Merc’s list price is dramatically lower than much of the competition. Even with all the options the price looks good. Although the list price is worth little to a canny buyer, it shows clearly that Mercedes is not expecting a premium for its name. The news gets better when you look at some of the other costs: the warranty now covers a full three years and 600,000km, while the contract maintenance cost is far and away the lowest of the bunch. Mercedes’ spares and servicing costs are also lower than four years ago. Intriguingly, our 1997 test of the Actros 1835 mentioned that a set of brake pads would cost you £465, which Mercedes justified because they had a longer life than drum brake shoes. Now there is no need for excuses: a full set of pads costs just £195 – and that’s just for three axles, of course.
