Daimler Truck Australia Pacific has today officially launched the new aerodynamic Mercedes-Benz ProCabin in Australia.
The specially designed cabin cuts drag, allowing the new-look ProCabin to deliver a significant fuel consumption reduction for drivers and operations.
With a new five-radar active safety suite also introduced as standard across the whole Actros range, the ProCabin’s development is set to benefit customers.
“The Actros ProCabin is a shining example of Daimler Truck’s commitment to drive down fuel consumption through innovation and give our customers the edge,” Daimler Truck Australia Pacific president and CEO Daniel Whitehead says.
“It reinforces our commitment to real-world safety with a remarkable active safety suite that introduces new technology and processes data 20 times faster than before.”
The ProCabin replaces the existing larger cab Actros models – the 2.5 StreamSpace and Gigaspace models. The smaller cab models, the 2.3 ClassicSpace and StreamSpace, continue with the existing design.
All Actros models have been upgraded with the Active Brake Assist 6 safety package that now includes five radars that provide a 270-degree view around the vehicle and allows for optimum operation of the Active Side Guard Assist 2, or ASGA, system.
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The backbone of this safety suite is a new electronics platform that can process data 20 times faster. Mercedes-Benz engineers extended the front of the Actros ProCabin by 80mm and shaped the front of the truck for maximum aerodynamics.
The new design removes unwanted gaps and joints and guides air either around the cabin or straight into the truck’s cooling system. This concentration of the airflow maintains the cooling effectiveness of the Actros.
There are also new sail-shaped side air deflectors at the rear of the cabin and a new roof spoiler as well as a new under-cab spoiler. Along with the new exterior design, these features reduce air turbulence and improve air flow.
There are new LED headlights including optional Matrix active headlights are available for optimum light performance. The Matrix headlights can automatically dip the high beam for oncoming traffic, while maintaining the high beam spread either side of the approaching vehicle.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific sales, marketing and operations vice president Andrew Assimo says the ProCabin pushes fuel efficiency to the next level.
“The current Actros is known for its legendary fuel efficiency, but Mercedes-Benz Trucks was not about to sit still,” he says.
“The ProCabin extends our efficiency leadership through intelligent design; and we know our customers will appreciate the fuel economy gains it delivers.”
For local customers, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has worked with Durabar to develop a special aluminium bullbar for the new Actros ProCabin, ensuring customers can buy a bullbar that maintains the truck’s cooling efficiency while also maintaining the effectiveness of its radar sensors.
All interior lighting now uses LED technology, while new interior gooseneck reading lights have been introduced for additional comfort.
Bedside control panels have been improved, ambient lighting has been upgraded and new USB-C sockets have been added to side panels. A high-quality two-tone curtain has been introduced, and a second factory-fitted fridge has been added to the option list. There are also improved seat-heating and seat covers.
While the Actros already had one safety radar, which was centrally mounted and worked with a camera installed behind the windscreen, engineers have now fitted radars on the outer edge of the front bumper and on each side of the cab.
This enables a 270-degree view around the vehicle and allows for the ASGA system to be improved by covering an even greater area than before.
It can even stop the truck when it is turning left (up to 20km/h) if it detects a hazard. This all comes in addition to the truck’s ability to automatically brake for vehicles or pedestrians in the event the driver does not respond to warnings of a potential collision.
The Actros is available with the optional Active Drive Assist 3 for partially automated driving (SAE Level 2).
Active Drive Assist uses an electric motor located on the steering box to provide assistance in addition to the standard hydraulic power steering. It not only helps keep the truck in the lane, but also provides more assistance to the driver and improving manoeuvrability, especially at lower speeds.
The Actros features Predictive Powertrain Control, which uses topographic map data and GPS information to help the truck anticipate terrain and select the optimum shift pattern and engine response for maximum fuel economy.
The Actros ProCabin is available with the proven 13-litre OM 471 and 16-litre OM473 Euro 6 engines. While a series of upgrades have been made to further develop these engines, no further changes have been made as part of the ProCabin introduction.
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