Stuttgart/Hanover, 24 September 2008  – On the occasion of the International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, a panel of experts has elected the new Mercedes-Benz Actros "Truck of the Year 2009". The specialist journalists from 21 European countries paid tribute to the enhanced economy, environmental compatibility, safety and comfort afforded by the innovative technology. With the Mercedes PowerShift 2 automated transmissions installed as standard in the road vehicles, truck drivers will find their daily lives made even easier. The Mercedes-Benz Actros for road transport has been available since March 2008 in its third-generation version. Further members of the new Actros family are making their debut at the International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover: the construction vehicles and the Actros heavy-duty tractor unit with its 250-tonne GCW.

Since entering the market in 1996, more than 600,000 vehicles have been sold. All three generations of the Mercedes-Benz Actros have been market trendsetters and each new generation has been elected "Truck of the Year" on making its debut. It remains the only truck with Active Brake Assist - also known as Emergency Braking Assist. Through the "Safety Technology" initiative, the Mercedes-Benz Actros has made a name for itself as a safety truck far beyond its field.

In the new Actros, the improved Mercedes-Benz PowerShift 2 transmission is installed as standard, offering an integrated inclination sensor as well as an optimised shift strategy. A refined sensor system leads to a gentler and yet noticeably quicker change in the gear ratios.

Power is provided by the well-honed OM 501 LA and OM 502 LA engines in Euro 4/5. The range encompasses six 11.9-l V6 engines from 235 kW (320 hp) to 350 kW (476 hp) and three 15.9-l V8 engines from 375 kW (510 hp) to 440 kW (598 hp). The engines have proved themselves with their exceptionally economical and environmentally friendly BlueTec technology in over 200,000 trucks.

The new Actros was the first and remains the only series-production truck which can be equipped with Active Brake Assist as an option. It is based on the Telligent proximity control and independently triggers emergency braking in the event of acute danger of a rear-end collision with a vehicle ahead.

Further optional safety systems are available to support the driver: by means of an acoustic signal the Telligent Lane Assistant warns if the vehicle is in danger of leaving its lane. The Telligent stability control is an active driving safety system which reduces the risk of a semitrailer skidding. The Telligent roll control provides vehicle damping appropriate to the circumstances. Safety assistance systems are also supported by insurers in the form of discounts on premiums.

Source: www.media.daimler.com