'Benz unveils new flagship

Mercedes-Benz has given the Australian public its first official glimpse of its next generation of trucks, with the Daimler brand revealing a Euro 6 Actros 2663LS on its stand at the 2015 Brisbane Truck Show.

In a 6x4 format and with a line-haul, long-distance focus, the Actros 2663LS is the new flagship of the Mercedes-Benz range – or at least it will be once the fully optimised models reach dealerships in late 2016, after undergoing the most comprehensive pre-release development program the brand has ever undertaken in this country.

Click here for an insight into the evaluation program, which will see test examples of the new Actros, Arocs and Antos lines embedded for specific applications in customer fleets around the country.

At the heart of the display truck is Mercedes-Benz's new 16-litre, straight-six, high-pressure-injection common-rail turbo-diesel, which the maker says is good for 625hp and a prodigious 3000Nm of torque.

It's just one of a range of new engines that will be available in 8-litre, 11-litre, 13-litre and 16-litre lines, with various power ratings available for each. Importantly, in all but some niche applications the new engines will be available in both Euro 5 and Euro 6 formats.

The engine is coupled with the manufacturer's new PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission, for which Mercedes-Benz claims significantly faster, seamless shifts.

The re-engineered chassis is said to be stiffer while the cab has been redesigned for even greater comfort and utility.

Safety features will include 'Benz's Active Brake Assist 3 (ABA3) automated emergency braking system, Attention Assist systems that monitor how alert a driver is, and an integrated Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Mercedes-Benz Truck & Bus General Manager, Justin Whitford, said the new breed of trucks would offer customers an unrivalled experience in terms of comfort, performance, safety and support, while being truly 'fit for purpose' come their on-sale date.

"The development of a national product committee that included representatives of industry and also our company have worked together to develop the specification to ensure that [this new generation] would meet the needs of our marketplace," he said.

"That, in addition to a 12-month, two-stage test cycle, will really ensure that this product will be the best supported, best prepared Actros ever released in the Australian marketplace."

Mr Whitford said the new models would also be complemented by a range of other new initiatives.

"We've built a range of value-add programs that we've never had in the Mercedes-Benz stable," he said.

"From pricing reductions and readjustments of up to 36 per cent on major componentry right through to our new lease program, our rental program, and our expanded demo range, these are really just some aspects of our enhanced service structure that provides the industry with far better access to a far better portfolio of services," he said.

"We're extremely excited by what the product offers and where we believe this product can take us within the industry."