Published: Commercial Motor, 20 Mar 2003
Smooth Torquerby: Kevin Swallow
When we compare the results of our latest 44-tonne roadtests with earlier 41-tonne tests it seems neither journey time nor fuel consuimption on main trunking routes is greatly affected. It's on the tough hill-climb sections that the damage is really done. The Mercedes-Benz Actros 2546LS Megaspace tractor provides power and performance in abundance at 44-tonnes - but could it handle the tough Scottish route?
Verdict
The old fuel figures heading up towards the magical 8.0mpg seem just a memory when driving today's Euro-3 44-tonne beast. It's all too easy to look at 7.10mpg and suck your teeth without considering the power and performance produced by this 2546LS tractor. The ride was textbook, and it powered through the severe gradients making light work of some fearsome hill climbs.
The driveline is smooth and compatible, with no weakness other than to allow the driver to sit back and relax. No driver will hound his boss if he is offered an Actros to do his job. But the bottom line always comes back to the fuel figure.
Only time will tell whether this figure is good or not, but then any operator worth his salt will know exactly what to expect from a 2546LS working his routes.
Vehicle Specifications
Mercedes-Benz Actros 2546LS
| Fuel Consumption: | 7.1mpg(39.8lit/100km) |
| Average speed: | 71.9km/h |
| Gross weight as tested: | 44,000kg |
| Net payload: | 28,400kg |
| Price as tested: | £72,326(ex-VAT) |
