Mercedes-Benz Trucks says it is now taking its successful flagship Actros L to a new level with ProCabin – featuring a futuristic vehicle design, optimised aerodynamics, numerous comfort features, efficient engines, high levels of driving dynamics, and the latest assistance systems – offering everything it takes to impress fleet operators and professional drivers alike.

Since its launch in June 2021, the Actros L has defined the premium segment of heavy diesel-powered trucks from Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Development at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, says: “We always aim to provide our customers with the best vehicle solutions for all drive technologies. The traditional diesel-powered truck will also continue to be indispensable in the various regions of the world for some time to come. With the new Actros L, we have further optimised our tried-and-tested flagship in many aspects. This is already reflected in the revolutionary cab design.”

At first glance, the completely new exterior appearance of the Actros L already catches the eye. The entire shaping of the ProCabin, which was first unveiled during the world premiere of the battery-electric eActros 600 in October last year, has been completely designed for particularly efficient aerodynamics: from the pre-spoiler on the roof in front of the actual roof spoiler to the A-pillar deflector panels around the side windows and the large, flat front-end flap of the cab to the optimised bumper with minimal air inlet openings for cooling and its new underbody paneling.

ProCabin ... designed for particularly efficient aerodynamics.

The airstream thus meets an aerodynamically favourable front extended by 80 mm and continues to be guided around the vehicle as optimally as possible. This is ensured by a streamlined entrance, improved wheel-arch trim and optimised side trim. There are virtually no gaps or spaces left in favour of an optimised airflow. Extended side deflectors have been designed like sails to ensure a good transition between the semitrailer truck and the attached semitrailer. The use of various seals to decouple the engine compartment from external airflow rounds off the aerodynamic concept. All in all, this results in fuel savings of up to three per cent in the new Actros L.

Driver comfort

Acknowledging the fact that an attractive exterior and comfort in the driver’s cab also play an important role in vehicle purchases, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced noticeable details such as the full cab paintwork, including the logo and lettering in dark chrome as well as the aluminium step plates. All lighting in and around the vehicle also feature LED technology. Matrix LED headlamps are also available as an option for maximum lighting performance.

In the interior, ProCabin, available in three variants – Stream, Big, or Giga Space – offers numerous comfort features such as optimised seat heating, new premium flat-woven seat covers, or bunks with full slatted frames and a new, thick premium mattress.

Engine

In addition to the aerodynamic optimisation measures, Mercedes-Benz Trucks further increases the efficiency of the new Actros L in combination with the third generation of the 12.8-litre OM 471 diesel engine. The OM 471, available alongside proven OM 470 and OM 473 diesel engines, is consistently designed to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) without compromising on performance, driving dynamics, or comfort in terms of fuel-efficient driving, reduced CO2 emissions, lower operating costs, and higher returns.

With the third generation of the OM 471, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced two new turbochargers precisely geared towards the diverse needs of customers. In the variant destined for long-haul transportation, the focus is on achieving the lowest possible fuel consumption. In combination with the revised exhaust gas aftertreatment system, this exhaust gas turbocharger enables a maximum fuel saving of up to four per cent over the previous generation.

Accident prevention

The safety features used in the new Actros L often exceed the strict standards of the General Safety Regulation (GSR), which will be effective from July 2024.

In order to make an even better contribution to preventing accidents, the group has developed a new electronics platform that enables an even larger view to the front and side with so-called sensor fusion, that is merging radar and camera data.

“The electronics platform offers 20 times faster data processing, and the total of six installed sensors – four lateral short-range radars at the front and rear, both on the right and left, one long-range radar at the front in the centre and the multifunction camera in the windshield – can now cover an angle of 270 degrees around the vehicle. Thanks to the significantly enlarged viewing angle, the installed assistance systems can make even better use of their strengths,” says a spokesman for Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

An example of how efficient the 270-degree fusion technology is and what going beyond GSR stipulations means is the already sixth generation of Active Brake Assist (ABA). The latest emergency braking assistant from Daimler Truck can now perform automated maximum full-stop braking to a complete stop at speeds of up to 60 km/h ahead of crossing, oncoming traffic, or other road users in the same lane. At speeds up to 80 km/h, the system can react ahead of stationary vehicles with maximum full-stop braking, as had previously been the case. A further added value of ABA 6 is multi-lane monitoring at distances of up to 250 m for even better hazard detection, he adds.

The second-generation Active Sideguard Assist (ASGA) also demonstrates the extent to which equipping the vehicles with six sensors and the associated increased viewing angle increases road safety. ASGA 2 monitors traffic on both the driver’s and front passenger sides and with its two-stage warning system it can alert drivers to potential dangers so that timely intervention can mitigate a critical traffic situation. The active warning zone extends up to 30 m behind and 7 m in front of the vehicle, operating at speeds of up to 30 km/h. Additionally, the system can initiate automated braking to bring the vehicle to a complete stop within the red warning area up to its own turning speed of 20 km/h, should drivers fail to respond to an earlier audible and visual warning. Furthermore, ASGA 2 features an intelligent lane change warning concept based on the vehicle’s own position within the lane.

Smart digital solutions

Mercedes-Benz Trucks offers a comprehensive range of digital solutions and services surrounding the new Actros L to simplify processes and workflows for fleet operators. TruckLive offers a free entry into the digital service solutions of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. This includes various connectivity services that can be used on existing platforms such as MyTruckPoint.  

Premium Fleetboard telematics services are also associated with a high added value for a profitable fleet management system.

Moreover, with intelligent networking, Mercedes-Benz Trucks Uptime increases the availability of the new Actros L. The system continuously diagnoses the status of the vehicle and provides specific recommendations for action. This approach allows for the early detection of repair needs to reduce breakdowns, and supports customers in promptly organizing the necessary work – all while considering their specific operational planning.

The new Actros L with ProCabin can now be ordered and will go into production in December 2024.