DAIMLER AT THE BTS - INNOVATION, NEW PRODUCT, CONTROVERSY.

News

30 May

Courting quite a bit of controversy, Mercedes-Benz has presented the new ProCabin Actros at the Brisbane Truck Show.

On sale later in Australia and New Zealand this year, the new Actros model features a futuristic design that has delivered a 3 per cent fuel efficiency improvement over the truck it replaces in Europe. Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, said the new Mercedes-Benz ProCabin is a great example of the research and development Daimler Truck invests in.

“The ProCabin is the embodiment of trucking innovation in 2025,” he said. “It shows that even after a series of upgrades that consistently driven down fuel consumption, the Mercedes-Benz Trucks team can still innovate and cut fuel use by another 3 per cent.”

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific V.P - Sales, Marketing and Operations, Andrew Assimo added that the ProCabin will deliver real world savings to Actros customers.

“We are excited that we will soon be able to deliver this incredible truck to our Australian and New Zealand customers and help them to realise the benefits it is already delivering in Europe.

“Driving down running costs has always been a core focus of the Actros and this iteration proves considerable fuel efficiency gains can be realised with innovative design.”

The 2663 ProCabin on the stand was one of several validation units and will soon join Australian fleets before the new truck is officially on sale.

The ProCabin truck will replace existing the larger cab Actros models in the range, including the 2.5 StreamSpace and GigaSpace models. The new cab was designed from the ground-up with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. Designers introduced a rounded-off shape in order guide the air around the vehicle with as little drag possible.

There are virtually no gaps or spaces left in order to optimise airflow, while maintaining cooling effectiveness by concentrating the airflow. Designers also added extended cab deflectors to better help push the wind around the truck.

Mercedes-Benz will continue producing the existing 2.3 ClassicSpace and StreamSpace models. This retains its current design but with minor safety upgrades.

All new Actros models are gaining a significant active safety technology upgrade that exceeds the new European General Safety Regulation standard. Daimler Truck has introduced a new electronics platform that can process data 20 times faster so the truck’s safety systems can react faster.

The Actros has four new radars, in addition to the existing centrally mounted front radar and windscreen-mounted camera. This enables a 270-degree view around the vehicle and means engineers could further improve the clever Active Sideguard Assist system. It now monitors both sides of the vehicle and covers an even greater area than before. It can even stop the truck when it is turning (up to 20km/h) if it detects a hazard.

Daimler Truck continues to develop its diesel offerings, recently upgrading the 13-litre OM471 engine with a raft of design changes that boost reliability and drive down fuel consumption.

Mercedes-Benz also brought the iconic Unimog 5023 to Brisbane. With unmatched off-road capability, the Unimog is loved by emergency responder teams and adventurers across Australia.

Mercedes-Benz is also showed its fully-electric eActros and eEconic range. The eActros is already hard at work in Australia, with 20 units working with Perth’s Centurion fleet and another 10 to be delivered soon.

FUSO UPS THE HORSEPOWER ANTE.

Don’t spare the horses. New Fuso Shogun gets record-breaking 530hp engine

Fuso will break its own record for the most powerful Japanese truck in Australia with the introduction of an even stronger Shogun.

Revealed at the Brisbane Truck Show, the new Shogun 530 will introduce a new cab design and an even more potent 13-litre engine when it goes on sale late this year.

The previous model Shogun 510 was the most powerful Japanese truck in Australia with a hefty 510hp, but the new model will produce 530hp and 2600Nm of torque.

The new model Shogun range will deliver other benefits with new in-cabin features and the latest generation active safety suite that features no less than five radars.

“Our rivals dream of having a truck like the 510hp Shogun, so it gives us great pleasure to bring our customers the 530hp Shogun,” said Daimler’s Daniel Whitehead. “I have never heard anyone complain about having too much power, so we know our customers are going to love this amazing truck.”

The new Shogun range also delivers practical improvements. The existing Shogun has been extremely popular in Australia, but the company has taken the opportunity to introduce upgrades that would make it better again,

From increased GCM to new seats, headlights, an upgraded engine, new interior features and the latest Daimler Truck active safety technology, the new Shogun range is a formidable line up.

Importantly, the Shogun 530 will now have a 70-tonne Gross Combination Mass (GCM) rating, up from 63-tonnes.

The upgraded 13-litre 6R30 engine making its debut in the Shogun originated from the Mercedes-Benz stable but has been tweaked for its new role. This twin turbo six-cylinder delivers 530hp fed through a 12-speed AMT with an improved creep function.

All Shoguns feature the new-look cab, which benefits from a fresh modern look as well as brighter full-LED headlights

A new cloth ISRI driver’s seat has been added to 11-litre Shoguns, while the 13-litre 530 Shogun will now gain a heated leather ISRI driver’s seat.

Interior upgrades include a new electronic park brake and a new key fob that no longer needs to be inserted into an ignition barrel.

Minor improvements have been made to the interior trim, information cluster and multimedia unit.

Safety has been boosted with a new active Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) that uses five radars and a forward-facing camera.

This includes Active Brake Assist 6 as as well as Side Guard Assist 2.0, which can warn of objects on both sides of the vehicle and can even brake the truck automatically on the left side of the vehicle when detecting a potential collision while turning in that direction.

Fuso also used the Brisbane Truck Show to feature the recently upgraded Canter range. It features a new look exterior design that incorporates brighter full-LED headlights and a fresh grille.
On the inside, the Canter has been further improved with a new Multimedia touch screen that can connect wirelessly to both kinds of phones.
Fuso is also displayed the facelifted FG 4x4 Canter. The rugged 4x4 Canter has low range gearing and the ground clearance required to get the job done off the beaten track.
It also presented a Euro 6 Canter and the all-electric eCanter; the most advanced electric truck in its class. It is the only one to feature the innovative eAxle, which does away with a traditional driveshaft, replacing it with an electric motor inside the rear axle of the truck.
Fuso also displayed three new medium duty Fighter Euro 6 Tipper models with the option of an Allison automatic transmission.

BTS LAUNCH FOR FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA HERITAGE SPECIAL EDITION

Freightliner provided a glimpse into the future and a nod to its past at the Brisbane Truck Show.

It presented a camouflaged version of its next generation Cascadia prime mover (pictured above) from the United States. The futuristic machine won’t be on local roads for some time, but gives a hint to what is in store down the road.

Something that is available right now is a special edition version of the current Cascadia. It is an eye-catching model that celebrates Freightliner’s routes that go all the way back to 1942.

This special pack adds unique blacked-out wheels, bumper, tanks and guards as well as special seat embroidery and exterior design highlights that celebrate the heritage of the iconic American brand.

The 1942 special edition is available on all Cascadia models, including the 13-litre 116 and the 16-litre 126.

It comes on top of an offer of a complimentary three-year Complete Service Plan* on select Cascadia models sold until June 30, 2025 (more information below).

Daimler‘s Andrew Assimo, said the special edition is a great way to celebrate the history of the brand.

“The Cascadia is the epitome of a future-focussed conventional truck, using advanced technology, fuel efficiency and safety features that had been missing from the class prior to its arrival. However, the Freightliner brand also has an amazing heritage, so it’s only fitting that we give a nod to its past with this amazing special edition package,” he said. “The Cascadia is a rock-solid business case, thanks to its low running costs, but the 1942 edition makes it even more special.”

The Cascadia features a raft of active safety features and is also the only conventional truck to feature a driver airbag fitted to the steering wheel. Customers can also choose a side head protecting airbag as an option.

Freightliner has also upgraded its Detroit Connect advanced safety suite to incorporate video capture of critical incidents to help chain of responsibility compliance and provide driver training opportunities.

The 30-second clips can be viewed by fleet managers, along with vehicle data, and can be viewed or downloaded through the Detroit Connect portal for up to 30 days.

This video footage is captured using the truck’s existing forward-facing camera, eliminating the need for an aftermarket dash-cam.

*A Complete Service Plan is the highest-level Daimler Truck service package available and is described as a complete service, repair and wear and tear package for “all-round protection”. You can check out what is included at the freightliner.com.au website.

All the work is carried out at Daimler Truck dealerships by factory-trained technicians using only genuine parts, to keep your truck in pristine condition and maximising uptime.