The revolutionary New Actros premium long-haul tractor unit made its first appearance in Northern Ireland, at a gala launch event staged by dealer Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI).
Held at the dealer's premises in Newtownabbey, the dinner and presentation evening provided an opportunity for some of Northern Ireland's leading transport operators to take a closer look at the International Truck of the Year.
Developed from a blank sheet of paper, New Actros is the ultimate truck for long-distance transport. From the outset, designers and engineers were determined to provide the best possible comfort, driving dynamics, safety, productivity and operating economy as well as a sweeping range of cab sizes, engine ratings and options, allowing customers to tailor vehicles perfectly for any application. And with a wide range of flexible and competitive funding packages available from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, acquiring a New Actros could not be easier.
The current Actros holds the Guinness World Record for fuel economy at 40 tonnes gvw but on-the-road tests have shown that the new model is a remarkable seven per cent more frugal when specified to meet Euro 5 emissions regulations, while even the ultra-clean Euro 6 version shows a four per cent improvement.
Guests were treated to a hog roast and a series of 'wild west' themed activities, as well as entertainment from BBC Radio star Hugo Duncan, but the real business of the evening was a chance for guests to inspect the five New Actros units on display, with a range of engine ratings and cab sizes right up to the luxurious, range-topping GigaSpace - so big is this range-topping workspace that every other cab on the market would fit inside it with ease!
Colm Diamond, European Logistics Manager of Castledawson-based Link It Logistics, attended the launch with his father Seamus, the company's Transport Manager, and Bridin McErlean, European Logistics Co-ordinator. "It was a top-notch event, for a top-notch vehicle," he declared. "The new Actros certainly looks the part and is clearly well designed, and it was great to have a chance to see one, in right-hand drive and UK specification. If the truck performs as well as it looks, it will be a winner."
Robert Beattie, who drives an Actros 2544 MegaSpace horse transporter for international show-jumper Joanne Sloan Allen, was similarly impressed. "I drive on the Continent a lot and have seen one or two New Actros on the road - but up close they look even more imposing. The quality of the cab interiors is fantastic. The New Actros is a huge step forward and puts Mercedes-Benz even further out in front of the rest of the truck market."
Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) is the German manufacturer's official commercial vehicle dealer for Northern Ireland. With strong roots in the area, MB T&V sells and supports the award-winning range, which extends from the mighty Actros tractor unit to the compact and stylish Vito van, from sites at Mallusk Road, Newtownabbey and Bush Road, Dungannon.