The Mercedes-Benz Actros prime mover is celebrating its 25th birthday this year, after enjoying a successful quarter of a century worldwide.
Designed specifically for long-distance and distribution haulage, the first generation Mercedes-Benz Actros prime mover was launched in 1996 to celebrate the 100th birthday of the truck that was invented by Gottlieb Daimler in 1896.
This year, the Actros marked the start of a model series which until this day is at the spearhead of its market segment.
Since 1996, each Actros generation has played a pioneer role in terms of safety, optimum fuel consumption, networking and comfort.
While the Actros 1 was outstanding with its electronic brake system (EBS) fully automated gear shifting, the Actros 2’s highlights included adaptive cruise control, Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Powershift transmission and a new stowage concept.
The Actros 3 was even more impressive features such as the light and rain sensor, Active Brake Assist, and an updated Powershift transmission.
And then we have the Actros 4 which set completely new standards with the new engine generation with Euro VI specification, the GPS cruise control system Predictive Powertrain Control, a further developed Powershift, likewise further developed Active Brake Assist 4 with pedestrian detection, and Sideguard Assist.
Now, the Actros 5, which has been available since 2018, had four world premieres to offer – Active Drive Assist (ADA), Active Brake Assist 5, MirrorCam and a multimedia cockpit.
Since June 2021, the latest Actros generation has offered second generation Active Drive Assist (ADA 2) as optional equipment. The Emergency Stop Assist sub-function included in it is able to initiate an emergency stop if the driver is no longer controlling the steering wheel, despite visual and audible warnings.
In addition, there is the Active Sideguard Assist, also available since June 2021.
The showpiece of the latest Actros generation however, is the Actros L which was introduced this year and includes improved cab soundproofing, comfortable spaciousness, an even better sitting position and optionally available, newly designed LED headlamps.
Finally, at Mercedes-Benz Trucks a new era began in 2021 with the eActros. The first series-production electric truck with a three-pointed star designed especially for heavy-duty distribution haulage was presented to the world public at the end of June 2021.
