This truck review features what is probably the most technologically advanced truck ever to have undertaken our intensive two-day Scottish challenge, the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz Actros.
The previously reviewed Actros MP4 wasn’t exactly under-equipped in the tech stakes, but among the more recent additions are the “glass screen” cockpit, enhanced driving aids, greater safety and, of course, that much discussed MirrorCam system. Had we not been part of that mere one-third of the planet’s population that insists on driving on the left, there would be even more safety tech to consider.
Engine power and torque
Our review truck is an Actros 2545LS 6x2, fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s StreamSpace flat-floor sleeper cab, which is the version most optimised for aerodynamic efficiency. The driveline remains familiar from our last review of an Actros in 2017, although its nominal 450hp rating comes from the 12.8-litre engine rather than the more modern, and lighter by up to 200kg, 10.7-litre OM470. Although both trucks share the same 2,200Nm, this newer example has the higher capacity G330-12 version of the Powershift 3 transmission instead of the G211-12.
Transmission software
The biggest driveline changes are, in fact, in the operating software. Mercedes-Benz has equipped the vehicle with the most fuel-optimised software package. There are effectively three engine modes available on this example. Auto has a limit of 56mph, with kickdown available and fast cruise control resume allowed; Economy mode keeps the kickdown but with speed limited to 53mph and with soft resume; while Economy + adds a 51mph limit and disables the kickdown function. Normally UK market trucks have Power and Economy modes, but the review truck was optimised for fuel, and we were requested to stay in Economy + mode all the time, and to keep any manual intervention to the bare minimum.
It’s pleasing to note that Daimler has joined those manufacturers who recognise that a truck with enough momentum to over-run with a high gear engaged is more fuel-efficient than one that is coasting out of gear with the engine at tickover. The Mercedes-Benz Actros is now intelligent enough to recognise which of the two stages of eco-roll is most efficient in a given situation.
Safety technology
The latest technology in the 2545LS doesn’t just control efficiency. Safety is now in the hands of the fifth generation of Merc’s Active Brake Assist, with improved pedestrian recognition. Sadly, at the time of this review, the packaging issues preventing RHD 6x2s having Side Guard Assist, which monitors the side of the truck for any vulnerable intruders and applies the brakes as required, hadn’t been resolved, although we understand this will finally be available from next June. Other safety related assistance includes Traffic Sign Assist, Attention Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Stability Control Assist, while Enhanced Predictive Powertrain Control (EPPC) literally adds a new dimension to the concept of cruise control.
Access to the StreamSpace cab is via four very vertical steps, but the door has a wide opening that makes it easier than it might be. Once in the driving seat, the two major novelties of the latest Actros are obvious.
We were keen, as no doubt you are, to have our first significant real-world experience of MirrorCam, so we will cover that aspect in rather more detail than usual.
After two days on the road, we are left with mixed views – no pun intended. In fine conditions, even low light, it works very well. If the blue reference line that appears at start up is checked and if necessary adjusted, then the position of the trailer relative to other road users and literally, when manoeuvring, to the wider environment, is clearly visible. The ability to get a wide-angle view at the touch of a button is very handy. The only mild irritant in good visibility is the flickering effect when viewing other vehicles’ LED daytime running lights, and it seems particularly sensitive to those on Scania and DAF trucks.
Our biggest reservation, though, is a potentially serious one. Although the camera lenses are shaped and heated with the objective of preventing loss of vision in very wet conditions, it’s not foolproof. Driving up the M6 past Warrington in very wet conditions, the lenses, particularly on the driver’s side, misted up badly, making the already compromised view through a wall of spray almost non-existent.
Our Mercedes companions eventually attributed the failure of the self-cleaning function to an over-enthusiastic truck cleaner’s anti-Covid-19 regime, which extended to spraying the camera lenses with sanitising fluid. Whatever the cause, it led to at least one heart-stopping moment, and the need to occasionally open the window and wipe the lens with a finger.
Dashboard, instruments and controls
The other key feature is the all-digital dashboard – Multimedia Cockpit Interactive in Merc-speak. The two major components are the 12in instrument panel ahead of the steering wheel, and the 10in touchscreen to the left. Between them, they provide access to every function and bit of information you could need, and probably more besides.
Incidentally, we experienced no problem with accurately operating the touchscreen in our 2545LS, despite some other manufacturers’ reservations. Most of the icons you need to press offer a large enough target to poke accurately. We could spend this whole article describing what they do, but it’s easier to list what they don’t do. There are only three physical switches remaining on the dashboard – those for lane departure warning, diff lock and suspension levelling. Less dramatic, but still significant, is the chunky controller for the new electronic park brake.
Cab comfort: infotainment and storage
Settling down into the latest Actros cab once the day’s driving is done is a bit like returning to your childhood hometown. The underlying Mercedes-Benz scenery looks reassuringly familiar, but on closer inspection, there are many new details.
Some are to accommodate the latest developments in personal gadgetry. You no longer need a cable to charge your recently bought smartphone, as the top of the Actros dashboard features a cordless charging pad complete with restraining clip. If you want to connect it to Apple Car Play or Android Auto, though, you will need a cable, and probably a new one at that. In common with all current Mercedes-Benz products, the connection is through the next-generation USB Type C socket. There are plenty more charging points, including one 12V and three 24V outlets around the dash.
General storage is good, with a choice of two large rubber-lined areas in the central dash, the top one easily big enough for a laptop or tablet, and a smaller one ahead of the driver.
There’s a big multi-compartment drawer beneath the dash, together with an equally large cubby tray below that, and many of these words were written on the handy fold-out table in front of the passenger seat. Thirst can be taken care of with numerous cup- and bottle-holders within easy reach.
Cab interior: StreamSpace trim
One area where the Actros hasn’t totally moved forward is cab trim, which falls into two rather different categories. Disappointingly, some of the driving area is trimmed in the sort of hard black plastic that you might expect in a budget hatchback, which to be honest, doesn’t really scream Mercedes-Benz quality. The areas dedicated to rest and recreation are trimmed in softer beige which feels more in keeping with the brand.
Despite the modest roof height of Merc’s StreamSpace cab, the designers have squeezed in two levels of overscreen storage, a shallow locker with three internal compartments above two open bins. The supplementary panel that houses the tachograph has three spare DIN locations and switches for the roof hatch, sun blind and the all-important illuminated grille three-pointed star.
Under the bunk on both sides are lockers with internal and external access, plus a smaller closed locker on the nearside. A matching pair of fridge and storage bins slide from beneath the bunk.
Bunk quality
While the bunk’s mattress undoubtedly lives up to its Premium Comfort labelling and is just the right height for relaxing on, the comfort is rather diminished by a hard rail across the front that makes itself known on the back of your thighs.
One switch in the bunk area is unique so far, the one that discreetly activates the MirrorCam system so that any suspicious activity outside the cab can be observed although, apparently due to data handling requirements, it can’t be recorded.
The net hammock in the place of a second bunk offers a convenient and safe haven for a good quantity of bulky personal possessions, and its upper securing points are part of a handy set of towel rails.
Ride, handling and performance
With our in-depth look at living with the latest technology, we hope you don’t mind if we take the dynamic qualities of the Actros 6x2 as a given for the purposes of this review, as they haven’t changed significantly from 2017’s MP4. The Actros 2545LS still goes, stops and handles in the same dependable way, although the high performance engine brake stands out for its effectiveness. We’re not sure of the reason, but noise levels in the cab are noticeably reduced.
Actros driver assistance systems
What has changed is the impact of the latest generation of technology. The advanced driving support systems have been accused of de-skilling the driver but, as our review confirmed, there’s still plenty to do in managing the systems in this Actros, especially once you leave the motorway and major A-roads for more demanding routes.
The EPPC is certainly clever up to a point. It will recognise roundabouts and significant bends on the open road and reduce the speed to what it considers is appropriate for the situation. It also recognises speed limits and adjusts your speed accordingly.
However, it doesn’t see traffic lights or, indeed, traffic, so the driver still needs to be ready to assume immediate control to react to developing situations. At the moment, the EPPC and sat-nav use different mapping systems that can’t communicate, so the EPPC assumes that you are going straight ahead at every roundabout, even when the sat-nav wants you to turn right.
Another example of its limitations was found on the A68 as we approached Kiln Pit Hill on our review route. The truck sees a straight road with a long descent before a steep climb, and manages momentum accordingly. What it doesn’t see is that the bottom of the descent is home to a narrow stone-walled bridge immediately followed by a staggered junction, where Mrs Miggins in her Micra has a tendency to turn left and then immediately stop to turn right. Left to its own devices, things could get messy, so manual intervention is essential. A bit further on, though, where the approach to Castleside is more ‘as map’, the EPPC coped admirably with both the approach speed through the valley bottom and the subsequent climb with its inconsistent gradients.
Fuel consumption: Actros 2545LS mpg performance
One item we rarely have cause to use is the rear fog light switch, but near-zero visibility in the cab on parts of the route did nothing to promote smooth use of momentum. This and heavy rain on much of the M6 are doubtless factors in the overall fuel figure we recorded for the Actros 2545LS of 8.82mpg.
We’re well aware that Mercedes-Benz came to this review focused on the twin targets of significantly improving on the fuel consumption of the 2017 Actros MP4 and maybe beating the Volvo FH 460 I-Save. Regarding the latter, it’s not our purpose here to dwell on that review’s results, other than to affirm our conclusion that an engine with the fundamental increase in thermal efficiency provided by an economy-focused turbo-compound system starts off with a major advantage.
The folk at Milton Keynes and Stuttgart are naturally a bit disappointed by this review’s fuel results. The review did partially satisfy Merc’s aim, in that it improved on the smaller-engined but similarly powered 2017 Actros. However, the improvement was just 0.15mpg, not the “up to 5%” it expected from the package which would have seen an overall result of around 9.1mpg.
In Mercedes-Benz’s defence, we should mention that conditions during the 2017 review were near-ideal (as indeed for the Volvo), but were not this time. The traffic light gods on the A5 were no more than averagely helpful, and the weather in the North was distinctly unhelpful.
More significantly, we feel the Economy + driveline management software in this Actros might be counter-productive in some situations, more so as the going gets tougher. We think a less restrictive regime, together with more intervention from the driver than was permitted, would have paid dividends.
Review verdict: 89%
Forgive our concentration on fuel consumption as we usually take a more holistic view of a truck’s abilities.
On this basis, the latest Mercedes-Benz 2545LS Actros 6x2 is still a highly impressive bit of kit. It offers sound performance, together with an excellent driving environment and, once the UK gets the full package, the highest level of safety available.
Images: Tom Cunningham
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