Vol. 2 – Test update: new driveline package in the Actros
Event
On to the next round: In Part 2 of the RoadStars series, drivers test how much more smoothly the clutch and transmission work in the Actros’ new powertrain.
Daimler employee Jochen Horwath.
A little refreshment is a must: Managing Director Stephan Lettl Sr. (from left) with his sons Martin and Stephan Jr.
More driving performance, less fuel consumption – the Mercedes‑Benz Trucks development team has given this perspective new scope. Delays are a thing of the past: The optimised powertrain enables more dynamic moving off at junctions, uphill gradients and in roundabouts. Nine drivers took a close look at how spontaneously the Actros reacted to track route changes with the new Powertrain Pack on two different routes. The vehicles to be compared: an Actros 1848 with optimised powertrain parameterised to an 1845, an Actros L 1845 as the new flagship and an Actros 1845 of the current series status.
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Heavy grey clouds move across the Kirchheim Maxi-Autohof near Grünstadt, located between green slopes. That doesn't affect the good mood of the six test drivers. For Jochen Horwath, Development Project Manager for Transmission Automation at Daimler Truck AG, their feedback is important – how will they rate the clutch and transmission?
His team and he have been brainstorming: "We have completely redeveloped the transmission automation, as well as both hardware and software," says Horwath. And the torque interruption time in the upper range is reduced by up to 40%. The result: The new generation of clutch and transmission automation is programmed to provide the finest, higher level of comfort in the cab.
Daimler employee Steffen Maier (right) in conversation with Fleet Manager Alfred Böpple (centre) and driver Daniel Radtke.
Tested by professionals.
Stephan Lettl Jr. from Lettl Transporte GmbH in Wasserburg checks the optimised transmission automation while driving. To do this, he drives the Actros 1848 on the A6 around the 50-kilometre lap from the Maxi Autohof to Enkenbach-Alsenborn and back. Turning into the first roundabout. "It keeps going," says Lettl happily, as he accelerates smoothly out of the roundabout. "And it shifts faster. Awesome!"
Marcel Weihmann, driver at Schröder-Kießling Spedition (SKS GmbH) from Mogendorf, is also enthusiastic. He drives the 1848 on the route B9 and L549 around the Development and Testing Centre (EVZ) in Wörth. "It’s really surprising how fast the car shifts gears now," he says. And his colleague Markus Trojak goes one better: "It’s what I’ve always wanted!"
SKS Managing Director Kevin Kießling is looking forward to driving in the 1848.
On the road again: the 1848 with a new powertrain.
The third part focuses on the new torque, the extended top torque: To be continued.
Photos: Jan Potente
Video: Martin Schneider-Lau
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5 comments
Cool Fänd ich auch zwecks Marketing Werbung die neuen Actros und vielleicht auch eActros und kleinere Modelle in den Euro Truck Simulator 2 zu integrieren sofern SCS Software auch ein Interesse daran hat!
Mich hat damals angefixt und nicht mehr losgelassen Mercedes und Scania sind da die einzigen Truck die ich fahre!
Cool Fänd ich auch zwecks Marketing Werbung die neuen Actros und vielleicht auch eActros und kleinere Modelle in den Euro Truck Simulator 2 zu integrieren sofern SCS Software auch ein Interesse daran hat!
Mich hat damals angefixt und nicht mehr losgelassen Mercedes und Scania sind da die einzigen Truck die ich fahre!