New Mercs set to steal CV Show
Mercedes-Benz is to give world debuts to two important new truck models at the Commercial Vehicle Show on April 9-11.
The Euro VI version of the Atego 6.5, a 16-tonne mediumweight truck, will be unveiled alongside representatives of the all-new dedicated construction range: Arocs. The heavy-duty short-haul Antos (which replaces the Axor) will also appear alongside the New Actros that made its CV Show debut last year.
In the UK, Mercedes will probably sell most Ategos at the 7.5-tonne limit when the model launches in May. It will be offered with two engines: a 5.l litre four and a 7.7 litre six. The four-cylinder OM934 engine features double overhead cams operating four valves per cylinder head, with variable valve timing. It will be offered at four power ratings from 156 to 231 hp.
The six-pot OM936 is intended for higher gross weights and longer hauls. It will be available at three ratings from 238 to 299 hp.
Mercedes’ acclaimed Powershift 3 transmission is standard on Atego, with a choice of six or eight gears. However, a power-assisted manual with six or nine gears is also on offer, and the truck also features an electronic stability programme.
A new cab design will incorporate many features from the larger trucks in Merc’s Euro 6 line-up.
Appearing alongside the Atego 7.5-tonner at the CV Show will be at least one example from the Arocs construction line-up. This family of trucks extends from 18-tonne 4x2s to massive heavy-duty high mobility 8×8 rigids and 6×6 tractors: although it is unlikely that many of the latter will make it to Britain.
There are four different engines offered in Arocs, ranging from the 7.7-litre OM934 unit found in the Atego to the 15.6-litre turbocompound OM473 at 625 bhp, which is based on the famous Detroit DD16 used in Daimler’s Freightliner and Western Star trucks in North America.
The huge range of chassis in the Arocs family covers just about every construction-related application imaginable within two distinct ranges: the Grounder, for maximum mobility, and the Loader for maximized payload.
There are specific chassis for drop-sides, tippers, mixers and off-highway tractive applications for example. One particular specialism is a four-axle rigid which forsakes the conventional twin-steer/double-drive 8×4 layout for a tridem, which features a single front steer-axle, a double-drive bogie and a rear-steer axle. This is intended for trucks that require off-highway mobility and mount a heavy-duty rear-end crane.
