NEW GENERATION
The following year saw the launch of the
third-generation Actros, which introduced the
Euro 5 EEV (enhanced environmental vehicle)
emission rating (even cleaner than Euro 5).
Mercedes-Benz continued with its safety
push with electronic stability control
introduced as standard on all 6x4 prime
movers; while the latest generation of ABA
was also offered.
Another ABA upgrade followed in 2012
and there were some minor changes, such
as hypoid axle options on particular models,
which delivered excellent fuel economy.
A heavy-haul SLT version was also offered,
now with a smart turbo clutch, and several
were dispatched to construction sites and
mining sites in remote parts of Australia.
By now, the Actros was seen as a solid bet.
The niggles had been ironed out long ago
and the truck was well suited but there were
holes in the line-up that would not be filled
until the new truck arrived here.
Over in Europe, Mercedes-Benz was
already selling the all-new Actros.
Introduced there in mid-2011, it represented
a huge step forward over the existing truck.
The V6 and V8 engines were gone, replaced
by a whole new family of in-line six-cylinder
engines, while improved AMT transmissions
were introduced along with new interiors.
The truck sported a dramatic new design
language, which was both aggressive and
aerodynamic. It also rode so much better
than the previous model, sitting solidly
even over the bumpiest roads.The new model represented a big jump
over the existing product, much like the new
Actros had when it first arrived here.
Mercedes-Benz Australia resisted the urge
to bring the truck to Australia straight away
and decided to instead wait until it could be
sure that it could get the right specification
truck for Australia. Then it invested in
an 18-month local evaluation program
involving 35 customers, 20 trucks and well
over one million kilometres travelled in
trucks wearing a matt-black wrap.
This would enable the Mercedes-Benz
team to make sure the technology was up to
the job and also make sure the specification
selected was exactly what Australian
customers wanted.
The Australian team worked on locally-
developed long-range fuel tanks that would
suit the truck but also deliver adequate range
required by local operators.
An Australian inner-sprung mattress
was selected, a locally-developed
information/entertainment system was
tested and bull bars were evaluated to make
sure they worked with the new integrated
safety systems.
In October 2016, Mercedes-Benz was
finally ready to launch the new truck range.
The Actros name was not used locally, with
the team focusing instead on the numbers
that had long been a part of the naming
pattern. That means, for example, that
the 2663 is a 26-tonne rated truck, with 63
indicating it generates 630hp (470kW).
It was an immediate success and(All images)
The high-performance
13-litre 530hp 2653
was one of the most
popular models
early on thanks to
its remarkable fuel
economy138