Geoff Middleton•8 Aug 2017

REVIEW

New Mercedes-Benz rigid drive day

Name: New Mercedes-Benz rigid drive day
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

Recently, we were invited to the official media drive day for the new range of Mercedes-Benz rigid trucks designed for medium to heavy-duty distribution and vocational tasks

Mercedes-Benz officially released its new range of rigid trucks at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show in May.

Launch of the rigid range follows the new Actros prime movers which were released in October last year after more than a million kilometres of testing, and needless to say, the new rigids share plenty of componentry with their larger siblings.

The range consists of trucks from a 12-tonne rigid city distribution unit through to a 32-tonne 8x4 model which can be used for palletised freight, equipment haulage or waste work.

With this new model, Mercedes-Benz has shifted from naming the trucks (for example Actros) to a more conventional numbering system with the numbers of the trucks denoting the weight capacity and engine power so, for instance, a Mercedes-Benz 2635, will have a GVM of 26,000kg and power of 350 horsepower (well, 354 to be exact).

There is a choice of eight-litre or 11-litre engines with the eight-litre six-cylinder available with outputs of either 299hp or 354hp, while the 11-litre unit is available with ratings of 394hp, 428hp or 455hp.

Torque outputs are quoted as 1200 to 1400Nm for the eight-litre engine while the 11-litre boasts an impressive 2100Nm.

All meet Euro 6 emission standards and feature asymmetric turbocharging as well as X-Pulse high pressure direct injection technology, which provides more usable torque to assist with low speed drivability.

They also feature a powerful new engine brake with up to 340kW of power. A water retarder can increase the available braking force to a total of 750kW.

Mercedes-Benz believes the wide spread of available engines will cover a huge range of applications.

Fully automated transmissions are standard across the new rigid range. These eight-speed and 12-speed transmissions feature faster shifting and a new creeper gear for low speed work such moving into loading bays.

There are three different cab groups, starting with the smaller 2.3m S Classic Space for the 1630L 4x2 medium duty distribution model, moving up to the 2.3m M Classic Space for 2530 and 2535L 6x2 heavy duty distribution versions and topped by the 2.3m M Classic Space for the 6x4 and 8x4 heavy duty distribution and vocational models. Sleeper cabs and rear seat options are available on select models.

The new rigid range comes standard with an Electronic Braking System, and key models add Stability Control Assist, Hill Hold Assist and Traction Control. Models 18-tonne and above are also available with optional advanced safety systems including Active Brake Assist 4, which automatically performs emergency braking for most obstacles and can now initiate partial braking for pedestrians.

Mercedes-Benz is offering a complimentary servicing program for key on-highway new generation rigid models. The coverage for medium models includes Best Basic servicing for two years/250,000km and five years/500,00km for heavy duty models.

On the road

But enough of the tech stuff. How does it go on the road? Mercedes-Benz had a selection of four rigid trucks on the road for us to drive, plus a semi for drivers who got bored with the rigids.

On hand was a 1630 tray 4x2, a 2532 6x2 box, a 2635 6x4 box and an interesting 3243 8x4 tray with the big 11-litre engine which we’ll review separately in the near future.

I spent most of my time in the 2635 6x4 which is very comfortable and versatile truck. It was loaded with around 20 tonnes and featured the 12-speed Powershift AMT.

Inside, the new Mercs are certainly plush. Ergonomically, they are typical of modern European trucks. Everything is within easy reach of the driver. The wrap-around dash is very well laid out, so at the controls used most are very close, and the ancillary controls are spread neatly, but still within easy reach.

Steering-wheel controls abound with speed limiters, screen controls and telephone all neatly and concisely laid out.

Fire up the 7.7-litre diesel and the first thing to note is the lack of noise. These are very quiet trucks and even at cruising speeds, you don’t have to raise your voice to have a decent conversation.

They’re smooth too. The front suspension is springs with air suspension in the rear and the combination was great on all vehicles on test (cabin comfort also aided by the standard Isri suspension seats).

Power is always on hand in the 2635, with a great spread of torque through the rev range. The transmission shifts quickly and smoothly with perhaps just a little delay when changing from street speeds to manoeuvring speeds. It’s not a big deal, but just worth noting.

Cruising on the freeway, I found that the 2635 was sitting around 1750rpm at 100km/h, but it seemed really happy a little slower at around 1500rpm.

Fuel economy stayed pretty good over our course from Brisbane, past the Wivenhoe Dam, up to Esk, then Hampton , down to Toowoomba then down the range and back to Brisbane. I returned a figure of 3.4km/litre which I’m told is pretty standard for the 2635 over this route.

And speaking of the route, it certainly confirmed the Mercedes-Benz people are not scared to give journalists a drive program which includes some serious uphill and downhill sections, with a load on board. One of the big deals here was not how well the new rigid trucks climbed up the hill, but how well they descended.

Prior to leaving our last stop before the descent, we were told to set our speed limiters to 35km/h. We then drove normally to the start of the descent where we hit the ‘resume’ button and the limiter kicked in. The trucks then descended without our intervention.

The limiter also activates the radar cruise control and the accident-mitigation devices so you won’t run up the rear of your mate, who might be going a bit slower on the run to the bottom of the hill. If you do get too close to the guy in front, the ‘Benz will automatically take action to keep you at a safe distance. Obviously, the accident mitigation which helps prevent crashes and incidents with pedestrians is always on, and it means that these new generation Mercedes-Benz rigid trucks are among the safest on our roads today.

The bottom line

Have no doubt, the new breed of European trucks is upon us. They are quiet, comfortable and offer all the luxuries and safety technologies you’d expect from passenger car models wearing the same badges. But not only are the drivers comfy and safe, the owners are benefitting courtesy of big savings in on-road economy and the overall cost of ownership.

Witness this: Mercedes-Benz is offering a complimentary servicing program for key on-highway new generation rigid models. The coverage for medium models includes Best Basic servicing for two years/250,000km and five years/500,00km for heavy duty models.

We all know that the worst place for a truck is in the service department of your dealership – it’s always in there too long and it always costs too much. Well, for now at least, one of those problems has been eliminated.

Specifications:

Medium Duty Distribution

4x2 Rigid: 1230 and 1630

Engine: 7.7-litre OM936 with 299hp and 1200Nm

Transmission: Eight-speed PowerShift AMT

Cabs: S-Cab Classic and S-Cab Classis Extended, L-Cab Classic Space and L-Cab Big Space

Weights: 11,990kg GVM and up to 28,000kg GCM on 1230, 16,000kg GVM and up to 28,000kg GCM on 1630

Heavy Duty Distribution

6x2 Rigid: 2530 and 2535

Engine: 7.7-litre OM936 with 299hp and 1200Nm (2530) and 354hp and 1400Nm (2535)

Transmission: Eight-speed PowerShift AMT

Cabs: M-Cab Classic Space

Weights: 26,000kg GVM and up to 32,000kg GCM

Heavy Duty Distribution and Vocational

6x4 Rigid: 2635, 2640, 2643 and 2646

Engine: 7.7-litre OM936 with 354hp and 1400Nm (2635), 11-litre OM470 with 394hp and 1900Nm (2640), 11-litre OM470 with 428hp and 2100Nm (2643) and 11-litre OM470 with 455hp and 2200Nm

Transmission: 12-speed PowerShift AMT

Cabs: M-Cab Classic Space and L-Cab Classic Space

Weights: 26,000kg GVM and up to 32,000kg GCM (2635) and 26,000kg up to 44,000kg GCM (others)

Heavy Duty Distribution and Vocational

8x4 Rigid: 3240 L, 3243 L, 3246 L

Engine: 11-litre OM470 with 394hp and 1900Nm (3240), 11-litre OM470 with 428hp and 2100Nm (3243) and 11-litre OM470 with 455hp and 2200Nm (3246)

Transmission: 12-speed PowerShift AMT

Cabs: M-Cab Classic Space

Weights: 32,000kg GVM and up to 44,000kg GCM