Daimler innovation in focus at Brisbane Truck Show

Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Freightliner and Fuso bring together the latest technology from Europe, North America and Japan. This ensures Australian customers can get the right mix of trucks whatever the application from the same dealer.

Daimler Truck spends billions of dollars on research and development every year, which means it is always at the cutting edge with the latest technology. And you can bet you'll get a great insight into the fruits of that labour at the Daimler stand at the Brisbane Truck Show in May.

Some of the most interesting new tech has just been revealed in Europe, where Mercedes-Benz Trucks has taken the covers off a bold new cab design for its heavy-hauling Actros models. It’s called the ProCabin.

You might have noticed the ProCabin made its debut with the eActros 600 model that was launched in Europe in late 2023.

The ProCabin is the new cab for the large Mercedes-Benz Actros models. It’s currently available in Europe and can be expected in Australia in 2025.

The new cab was designed from the ground up with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. Designers introduced a rounded-off shape in order to guide the air around the vehicle with as little drag possible.

There are virtually no gaps or spaces left in order to optimise airflow, while maintaining cooling effectiveness.

Designers also added extended cab deflectors to better help push the wind around the truck.

All in all, the design changes result in fuel savings of up to three per cent, which is significant when you are doing a lot of kilometres.

All new Actros models are gaining the latest active safety technology that exceeds the new European General Safety Regulation standard. Daimler Truck has introduced a new electronics platform that can process data 20 times faster, so the truck’s safety systems can react faster.

The Actros has four new radars, in addition to the existing centrally mounted front radar and windscreen-mounted camera. This enables a 270-degree view around the vehicle and means engineers could further improve the clever Active Sideguard Assist system. It now monitors both sides of the vehicle and covers an even greater area than before. It can even stop the truck when it is turning (up to 20km/h) if it detects a hazard.

Daimler Truck continues to develop its diesel offerings, recently upgrading the 13-litre OM471 engine with a raft of design changes that boost reliability and drive down fuel consumption.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a full stable of fully electric trucks to help freight companies progress along their sustainability journeys.

While the just-released eActros 600 is now on sale in Europe, the eActros 300 rigid and eActros 300 prime mover are available in Australia, together with the eEconic rigid, which is specially made for waste industries.

Mercedes-Benz is not the only Daimler Truck brand that is likely to have electric trucks at the Brisbane Truck Show. The Fuso eCanter will be making its fourth appearance at the event, something that shows how far out in front Fuso has been with its electric light truck.

This eCanter is the second-generation model to appear in Australia and it is the perfect demonstration of just how quickly electric truck technology is advancing.

The Mercedes-Benz e-trucks and the eCanter are the only trucks to feature smart e-axle technology, which incorporates an electric motor (or motors) in the axle. This means there is no need for a driveshaft, thereby boosting efficiency and saving weight.

The recently updated Canter range is likely to be at the show. The core parts of the truck remain the same, which means its tare weight advantage and class-leading service intervals are still there, but the trucks have a fresh new design.

The design concept of the refreshed truck is described as ‘black-belt’ by Fuso and features new LED headlights that are 30 per cent brighter than the lights they replace.

The interior has been left alone, except for a big upgrade of the eight-inch multimedia unit. Taking on customer feedback, Fuso has added wireless Apple and Android connectivity, removing any need for cables and adaptors.

The multimedia unit has upgraded processing and memory performance and integrated accessory capabilities. It displays the footage from the reversing camera that comes standard with all Canter models, while footage from up to five additional cameras can also be shown on the screen.

Fuso has recently shown off some interesting trucks in Japan, with the most eye-catching being the next-generation Shogun (called Super Great over there). This is the new heavy-duty truck that sits at the top of the tree in the Fuso line-up. This new model sports a brand-new look and a raft of other improvements including additional power and torque, which is always welcome.

Additionally, the new Shogun comes with even more advanced safety features – features you would expect from a heavy hauler that is part of the Daimler Truck Group.

Freightliner has long been a crowd favourite with its big and bold Cascadia trucks. The 16-litre 126 model with gleaming bullbar and cavernous 60-inch cab is always popular.

While it is not ready to reveal what it will show in Brisbane, Freightliner has recently confirmed an upgrade to its class-leading safety package. It has now upgraded its Detroit Connect advanced safety suite to incorporate video capture of critical incidents to help chain-of-responsibility compliance and provide driver training opportunities.

The 30-second clips can be viewed by fleet managers, along with vehicle data, and can be viewed or downloaded through the Detroit Connect portal for up to 30 days. This footage is captured using the truck’s existing forward-facing camera, eliminating the need for an aftermarket dash-cam.