Around four years ago, Mercedes unveiled their self-driving concept truck, the driver able to read a magazine and letting the rig do all of the work. They predicted it would be possible by the year 2025.
They were wrong. The 2019 model Actros will do all of the above, and more (swivelling seat not included)
2019 Actros interior
Mercedes has taken all of the innovations from its car department and installed them in their flagship truck.
Also notice the lack of side mirrors, now replaced by cameras. This increases fuel efficiency by 1.5%, which may not sound like much - but remember these units can cover over two MILLION miles in their lifetime, with service intervals in the hundreds of thousands. It's a different level of endurance to even the hardiest of cars.
With active lane control and smart cruise control, all the driver has to do is keep his hand on the wheel for most of the time (for legal reasons in the UK at present). It means the future is already here.
I asked a manager at Mercedes whether we'd see completely driverless trucks or electric ones at any point.
He said the infrastructure was simply not there yet, when talking about electrically powered long-distance HGVs. However there are already electric only multi-drop and local delivery vehicles being developed, with some already in service.
The engines vary, but the top model will be powered by a 15.6 litre, straight six diesel engine.
The torque figure will also blow your mind a bit. It makes 2600Nm at just 1,100 rpm (the average idle of most cars). Power is just over 600 horses.
The Bugatti Chiron only makes around half of the torque of the new Actros.
Of course EU law means top speed is irrelevant, set at 56mph (90kph)
Price? Around £120,000 depending on spec. They're also producing 400 limited-edition 1 Actros models (see below)
I should be getting a closer look at the new model when it's released in July. Keep your eyes open for a full review.
You can view the new model in a 360 degree swivel mode, as well as read more about its features here
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Comments (4)
Anyone else thinking of that Simpson's episode where Homer becomes a long distance truck driver...?
Wow. That's one luxurious interior!
I don’t talk with people Who don’t love big trucks!!