The rise and rise of automated manual gearboxes continues with another offering from Mercedes Benz Trucks, the Atego 1223. The Atego,
The rise and rise of automated manual gearboxes continues with another offering from Mercedes Benz Trucks, the Atego 1223.
The Atego, like the bigger Actros, runs an electronically actuated twin plate clutch, this time backing up a six-speed gearbox, to handle the 230 horsepower and 598 foot/pounds of torque generated by the 6.3-litre six cylinder engine.
Despite its bulk, measuring 9.6 metres long, the Atego is a simple truck to operate, mainly thanks to its gearbox, which takes all of the stress out of driving.
Smarter than the average bear, this one measures a range of factors, including road speed and throttle position, to decide what sort of driving you are doing, an adjusts itself to suit.
For example if it detects you are in a hurry, no problem, it quickens the shift response so that you race through the gears faster, for better acceleration, or if you are ambling along the highway at 80km/h, it slows the response for better fuel economy.
The reality is the on-board electronics now offered make it very difficult for a manually shifted truck to return figures as good as an equivalent automated manual, whether for fuel consumption or exhaust emissions.
Flick the exhaust brake on and hit the brakes, and it will go for rapid downshifts, to maximise the engine braking effect from the motor, bringing you to halt in a remarkably short distance.
Like the new Actros, the Atego can be specified with a high level of active safety, unfortunately it misses out on the Voith retarder, however it does get ABS for the all-wheel disc brakes and Active Engine Brake as standard, making it a very attractive proposition for everyone from fleet operators to owner-drivers.