Global automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has pioneered the production of a lightweight truck axle, designed to aid in reducing the fuel consumption of the Mercedes-Benz Actros, a heavy-duty truck first introduced to the market in 1995. The axle is now available from Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz, a division of Germany-based multinational automotive company Daimler AG, says the technology and type of construction of the Actros is “without parallel”.
The new axle completes the second generation of the ‘Integrated Powertrain’ from Daimler Trucks, which consists of engine, transmission and axle.
The axle contains New Final Drive (NFD) technology, which actively controls oil regulation inside the unit, boosting fuel economy by up to 5%.
In addition, the intelligent axle has proven that there are efficiencies to be gained in other automotive components than engine and transmission.
The key objective of the Integrated Powertrain in the Actros trucks was to reduce fuel consumption. The amount of oil supplied in the NFD axle depends on the speed, torque and temperature demands. A throttle valve inside the axle controls the amount of fluid in the bowl that encapsulates the ring gear.
Intelligent oil management reduces the swirl of fluid in the final drive, reducing friction loss from the gears turning in the oil bath. Reducing oil swirl subsequently has a positive effect on fuel consumption.
Daimler global powertrain and manufacturing engineering trucks head Frank Reintjies explains that “the second generation of the Integrated Powertrain from Daimler Trucks has already resulted in fuel savings of up to 6% for the Mercedes-Benz Actros and ensures the lowest possible total cost of ownership (TCO)”.
The new truck axle will be produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Kassel, Germany, and in Detroit, in the US. The plant is Europe’s largest commercial vehicle axle plant, as well as the largest industrial employer in Kassel, with approximately 3,000 employees.
The introduction of the fuel-efficient truck axle coincided with the inauguration of an ultra-modern assembly line, constructed at the Kassel site in June this year for a total of €30-million.
Owing to the plant’s “cutting-edge product technologies and extensive investments in production facilities”, the production of the axle will be accommodated, explains Ludwig Pauss, the plant site manager.
The plant is equipped with an ultra-modern assembly line and high levels of automation and produces axles for vans and cars, as well as propeller shafts and gear sets. For example, the axle components can now be directly welded together with new laser technology, instead of being bolted.
In line with Mercedes-Benz’s focus on fuel savings and lower TCO, the company has released a third-generation Tourismo coach, the Tourismo RHD that is fuel efficient, safe and comfortable. It is Europe’s most successful high-decker touring coach, boasting 26 000 units sold since its introduction in 1994.
According to Mercedes-Benz, and in addition to fuel efficiency, the Tourismo RHD is, “the safest vehicle in its class”. Three examples of this include Emergency Brake Assist, Stop Assist and Attention Assist. The Front Collision Guard is an additional safety measure to ensure the protection of the driver and co-driver in the event of a collision.
MIKE OCHONMA
