E-Aero also diesel: Mercedes-Benz Actros L

The recently introduced Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 brought the modern aerodynamics of electric vehicles to the commercial vehicle segment. However, this not only helps to save electricity, but can also save diesel. That is why this new “ProCabin” will also be available for diesel versions of the Actros L in the future. The car can be ordered from this month (April 2024), but Mercedes will not start production until December 2024. So the cars will start. it is often released from 2025.

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Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Development at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said: “We always want to offer our customers the best vehicle solutions for all driving technologies. The conventional diesel truck will remain indispensable for some time in various regions of the world. With this and the new Actros L, we have further improved our proven competence in many aspects.

Devil in the details

The new design brings an 8 cm longer cabin and various aero adjustments:

• Large, smooth front face
• Pre-spoiler in front of the roof spoiler to cover the crack
• Baffles on the A-pillars
• Improved bumpers with small ventilation for engine cooling
• Underbody panels
• The last edge extended during the transition to the trailer
• Reducing and clogging joints

You can also see the work Mercedes engineers put into creating streamlined airflow in just about every exterior photo in the photo gallery. Overall, the new cabin is expected to save up to 3 percent of energy during long-haul operations. That might not sound like much to truckers, but busy transportation companies can do a lot with it. Most of the best aerodynamics is in the height of 8 cm. Mercedes is using changes to the length requirements for commercial vehicles in the European Union to improve fuel consumption.

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3. Generation OM 471

In addition to the cabin, the development has also redesigned the engine. The base engine OM 471 enters its 3rd generation. The six-cylinder diesel engine displaced 12.8 liters has two new exhaust gas turbochargers (ATL). Mercedes creates the ATL, intended for long-distance transport, with increased energy efficiency, with an output of up to 350 kW (476 hp). Mercedes-Benz wants to achieve additional fuel savings of up to 4 percent from the engine on long journeys. Since such high rates are highly dependent on the load profile, we have to wait for actual usage data to get the typical savings. Mercedes designed the second ATL variant for high engine performance and high engine braking power, for heavy-duty use and construction operations, for example. Engine power goes up to 390 kW (530 hp).

Mercedes completes its offer with various safety systems that go ahead or exceed truck regulations, for example and above all in protecting pedestrians and cyclists when turning or controlling blind spots using safety assistants. Driver equipment should also be significantly improved and, starting in 2025, will finally process real-time route data on the road to increase efficiency and comfort and protect driver concentration.

(cgl)