Mercedes-Benz Actros

German heavy duty truck

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.

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

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. A battery status indicator was added, as were 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 up until 2020.

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 625 HP, with a fuel rail pressure of 2800 bar and a double Overhead camshaft (DOHC) with 24 valves in compliant models.

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.

The system consists of a small lever, tilted for ergonomics, mounted under the right armrest and a flat switch underneath. 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. They 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.

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. 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 more, mostly oriented towards safety. All of them are marketed as "Telligent."

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).

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.

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 cameras, and it can do semi automated driving using Active Drive Assist.