Now here are three 'Black Beauties' with plenty of 'Horse' power (geddit?) OK suit yourself Biglorryblog will stick to the press blurb from now on and tell you that West Malling, Kent-based haulier Kelly International Transport "....has taken the latest step down the road to an all-Mercedes-Benz fleet by investing in three premium specification Actros Executive tractor units."
And not a bad step at that as the Actros 2548s have the biggest, flat-floored, air-conditioned MegaSpace cabs, with a 480hp Euro-4 vee-six under the hood so they're got plenty of go. Sparshatts of Kent (the dealer that supplied them) also ensured they were real head-turners thanks to their stunning black paintwork, roof-mounted light bars and polished alloy wheels. However, in an unusual move, KIT opted to delete the automated PowerShift transmissions which come as standard with the range-topping Executive package, in favour of Telligent manual gearboxes....Errr why? Well boss Martin Kelly tells BLB: “A lot of our drivers are very experienced and they just prefer to have what they consider to be full control of the vehicle.” I dare say....but have they driven PowerShift yet asks BLB? Given the choice between it and the old Telligent manual I know which one I'd prefer to driver...but if that's what they want who am I to argue?
Anyway to read more on these magnficent black Merc maulers....(or something like that) click through.
Kelly International Transport specialises in making express deliveries to the Continent, much of this work being undertaken for clients in the paper and exhibitions industry. It also handles some 2,000 containers a year for a leading landscaping company that imports paving slabs, roofing tiles and wooden floors from China, India, and Turkey, and works for DHL, distributing newsprint reels throughout the UK and Europe.
It seems the company previously chose Swedish marques but took on its first two leased Actros in the spring of 2006, then bought one of the first Euro-4 Actros – an ex-Sparshatts demonstrator – later that year. Six of its 11 trucks now wear the three-pointed star. Martin Kelly (an ex-driver himself who founded his business in 1998) adds: "The MegaSpace is roomy and comfortable, with a lot of storage space, while the Actros is also economical to run – we can get 8.5mpg, which we’re certainly happy with considering we are running at maximum weight for most of our customers."
So happy in fact you might possibly say that the limited edition Actros tractors have put the company well and truly in 'The Black'....(well I thought it was better than Kelly's Heroes).
ends
Damm fine trio