The Actros 2660 - Beautiful in Black

Words by Howard Shanks. Photos by Howard Shanks and Mercedes Benz

It was a little after midday when Peter Barker turned the key in the shimmering black Actros 2660 at Mercedes Benz’ Huntingwood dealership and the OM 502LA 15.9 litre engine leapt into life. Peter is one of Mercedes Benz’s Regional Sales managers and had been on the road for more than a week, demonstrating the Actros 2660 B-Double to various customers and press.

While the compressor on the new V8 engine built up air, Peter ran through some of the specs and changes to the new model.

“One of the most significant changes we’ve made to the Actros is the new PowerShift transmission and the addition of the higher horsepower V8 engines,” Peter commenced. “In addition with the new Euro-4 engines we’ve gained up to 60 horsepower with the 600 variant compared to the older Euro-3 engines they replace. Meantime gearshift times have been reduced 15 percent compared to the older transmission.”

“The standard Telligent braking system includes the ABS and ASR traction control that you’d have experienced in the past but now includes a roll-back prevention for moving off in inclines, which has improved safety.”

“This is our highroof sleeper cab,” Peter continued. It has been designed to improve efficiency with a focus on reducing fatigue for drivers. As you can see the bunk is generous in size and comes complete with privacy curtains to ensure a good nights rest for long haul drivers. There is also a choice of a lower roof height sleeper as well as the Mega Space cab where an additional bunk can be specified for two up driving operations and it also features a flat floor.”

A quick glance in the mirrors revealed the airbags in the trailers had charged with air and it was time for the run in the new V8 Benz to begin.

Actros 2660 models use what they (Mercedes Benz) call in their brochures the Mercedes Benz-PowerShift automated 12-speed overdrive transmission. This transmission is rated for applications up to 70 tonne. Meanwhile the G280 PowerShift transmission is a 16-speed and rated for applications up to 90 tonne.

“The non-synchromesh Mercedes PowerShift transmissions offer important advantages in terms of optimised shift times and high shifting comfort,” Peter said. “They also have a higher torque and power capacity than comparable synchromeshed transmissions. A choice of different modes, and smoother gear changes, help to enhance safety, cost-effectiveness and comfort.”

Meantime back at the wheel of the Actros 2660 with full a charge of air it was time to toggle the little gearlever to select second gear then depress the accelerator and the Actros 2660 began to roll. At a touch after one, the early afternoon traffic westbound on the Great Western Highway was light as the Actros 2660 entered the motorway. Our route out of Sydney to Bathurst was to take us up over Mt Victoria in the Blue Mountains past Katoomba, and Lithgow before meandering into the infamous home “V8” at Bathurst.

The Actros 2660 uses Telligent wiring system, which along with full communication with engine and transmission allows an accumulation of data from the engine, transmission and other equipment making it possible to transfer information to a fleet management system.

In the city that Benz PowerShift box worked a treat, with the single trailer behind, in auto mode it shifted up and down gears extremely smoothly. We were scheduled to couple up to the B-Double lead trailer just out of Lithgow.

“The marriage of the Mercedes Benz OM 502LA 15.9 litre engine and PowerShift transmission is really great,” Peter explained. “It allows the driver the flexibility to interact with the system to operate with complete freedom.”

“For instance,” Peter continued. If you require a little more engine braking while the transmission is in ‘auto-mode’ you simply toggle the small lever at the front of the gear selector backwards and it will drop a gear. Conversely when you are climbing a steep grade like the one up Mt Victoria then you can press the button at the rear of the gear selector to engage manual mode and it will hold the gear. On really long steep climbs if you leave it in auto-mode then the transmission will constantly be changing up and down gears which is just burning fuel unnecessarily.”

“Another feature of the Actros 2660 is the kick-down function,” Peter added. “If you depress the accelerator all the way down you’ll feel an indent, that’s how you activate the kick-down function. The best way to operate it is when you are approaching a steep climb you press the accelerator passed the indent which part of the interaction the driver has with the truck by telling the engine that truck is approaching a steep climb. It will then drop down a gear and increase the revs so minimal road speed is lost on the climb.

The OM 502LA 15.9 litre engine can best be summed up as a little engine with a big heart. In this test vehicle it was set at 598 horsepower (440kW) and developed 2065 lbs ft (2800Nm) torque at 1000 rpm.

Rear axles were Mercedes Benz H7 planetary hub reduction with a ratio of 3.43:1 and driver controlled diff locks, this has the 2660 Actros cruising at 1390 rpm at 100kph. Rear suspension was Mercedes Benz 8-bag air suspension with stabilisers. Front suspension is three leaf parabolic with sway bar, coupled to an 8 tonne I-beam axle. Fuel tank capacity is up to 1200 litres of Diesel with a 95litre adblue tank.

A couple of noteworthy standard features on the Actros 2660 include, the 400 mm self adjusting clutch, which adjusts itself each time the ignition is switched on. The air system includes a desiccant type air dryer. Meanwhile this Actros also came equipped with the $14,500 safety package which includes the Voith transmission retarder, Telligent proximity control and active brake assist and the Telligent lane assist.

From a driver’s point of view the cabin environment is adequately appointed with ample room for additional switches which maybe required operating auxiliary equipment such as hydraulics. Everything is within easy reach and visibility is very good both fore and aft with wide mirrors. There a few switches mounted behind the steering wheel which are somewhat awkward to actuate when required.

The standard air ride Grammer seat combined with the fully adjustable steering wheel ensures a driver can set the cockpit to their optimum driving position.

The Actros 2660’s road manners are very good, the ride is very smooth and steering extremely positive which is an area Peter pointed out is something that new chassis additions have assisted with. Cabin entry and entry is very easy and what you’d expect in a cabover truck.

Peter has a passion that stems from the workshop floor about the Benz product and he is very zealous about the significant improvements that have been made under the cabin. The engine installation is one of the better and cleanest we’ve seen for some time. Unlike most trucks the turbo is mounted at the rear of the engine truck and the route for the exhaust is straight out to the rear of the cabin. The plumbing on this Actros 2660 is very neat and clean as well. The Actros 2660 would be one of the easiest, of the modern breed, of trucks to perform scheduled servicing as access to the engine bay is very open.

With the addition of the B-Double lead trailer, the tenacious Benz V8 showed little hesitation when it was asked to perform. Most noticeable was the quicker down change from 12^th to 11^th in the hills. The difference in fuel economy was negligible between the single and double configuration albeit a short run test run.

Long warranty is something that Mercedes Benz are pushing too, four-years, 800,000 kilometres. While it sounds great, it is not the longest warranty available in the market places, However it is significant and covers the majority of the driveline. Meantime if you’re stuck at the airport waiting for a late plane home you’ll have ample time to read the warranty brochure and it’s well worth reading to see what it covers and doesn’t.

The strengths of the Actros 2660 include the ride and comfort. The Benz V8 engine may well be a new kid on the block but Mercedes Benz are mature engine builders with a strong reliable reputation in the field which can only instil confidence in the product. Mercedes Benz’s clean neat build of this model is also commendable and there nation wide dealer support is another comforting feature of the Mercedes Benz product.

ENDS.