Mercedes-Daimler has unveiled its latest addition to the Actros family, the “L” series that will come in three variants: the StreamSpace, the BigSpace, and the GigaSpace. For all three, the driver’s cab will be 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) wide, and the lack of an engine tunnel makes for “an exceptionally spacious interior.” The lorries will become available for order on July 1, with production to commence in November.
The Actros L – the largest and most equipped production model in the Actros series – offers a host of features and equipment details for relaxed driving, comfortable living and efficient working, says the company.
Following on from the launch of two new models in 2021 – the Actros F with its focus on functionality and the limited edition Actros Edition 2 – Mercedes-Benz Trucks is now introducing the Actros L, the largest and most equipped of this model series.
The heavy-duty lorry with conventional diesel powertrain can be ordered Europe-wide from 1 July 2021 on and goes into production in November 2021.
Larger space and quality equipment for driver comfort
It begins with the driver’s cab, which on the StreamSpace, BigSpace and GigaSpace variants is 2.5 metres wide. The lack of an engine tunnel means that the cab has a flat floor, creating a more comfortable ambience. The improved cab noise and heat insulation keep unwanted and annoying noise at bay.
New features to improve the driver’s comfort
- the seating position has been lowered by 40 millimetres for more relaxed driving,
- LED main headlamps with a higher light intensity provide better illumination of the road
- “stylish” seat covers
- new door trim
- a comfortable mattress with 45-mm thick topper
- a tactile cab rear panel in the bed area
New and improved safety systems
With the Actros L, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is aiming to make road traffic as safe as possible by utilising active safety assistance systems like the Lane Keeping Assist, Proximity Control Assist and MirrorCam, which replaces the main and wide-angle mirrors.
Optionally available for the Actros L is the Mercedes-Benz Sideguard Assist S1X which, compared with the previous system S1R, is equipped with a further function that could potentially save lives.
This new system, called Active Sideguard Assist, no longer simply warns the driver of moving pedestrians or cyclists on the co-driver’s side. If the driver then fails to respond to the warnings in time, it is now able to initiate an automated braking manoeuvre at turning speeds of up to 20 km/h to bring the vehicle to a standstill. Active Sideguard Assist can recognise the need for such a braking manoeuvre and, in an ideal scenario, prevent a potential collision – explains the company.
Another equipment option for the Actros L is the second generation Active Drive Assist (ADA 2). Under certain preconditions, the system actively assists the driver with longitudinal and lateral guidance of the lorry and can automatically maintain the distance to the vehicle ahead, accelerate and also steer if the necessary system conditions such as sufficient curve radius or clearly visible road markings are met.
In addition, ADA 2 includes the Emergency Stop Assist sub-function which is able to initiate an emergency stop if the driver is no longer controlling the steering wheel, despite visual and audible warnings. If the lorry comes to a standstill, the system can automatically engage the new electronic parking brake. In addition, the doors are unlocked so that paramedics and other first responders can directly reach the driver in case of a medical emergency.
If an emergency braking assistant is required by law, the Actros L is also equipped with Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5) as standard and features a pedestrian recognition function. This system can help to avoid accidents where, due to the driver being distracted, the following distance being too short, or an inappropriate speed, the lorry is at risk of colliding with a vehicle ahead or a stationary vehicle, or there is a risk of a frontal collision with a pedestrian.
ABA 5 works using a combined radar and camera system. If the system detects the risk of an accident with a vehicle driving in front, a stationary obstacle or a person (crossing the vehicle’s path, coming towards the vehicle, walking in the same lane as the vehicle or suddenly coming to a stop in fright), the system initially emits a visual and audible warning to the driver.
If the driver fails to respond appropriately, the system can then initiate partial braking in a second stage. If the threat of a collision continues, ABA 5 can perform automated maximum full-stop braking – at vehicle speeds of up to 50 km/h when responding to moving persons.
Photo credit @ Daimler
