OREANDA-NEWS. May 11, 2012. Mercedes-Benz will soon be extending its family of trucks by a new member, the new Mercedes-Benz Antos – a model series designed specifically for heavy-duty short-radius distribution transport use. The vehicles are currently demonstrating their capability in camouflaged guise, but the covers will come off for the Commercial Vehicle IAA in September and the start of sales.

With the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz Antos, Mercedes-Benz becomes the first manufacturer to have a truck series that has been specially developed for the very varied requirements of the short-radius distribution transport industry.

The Mercedes-Benz Antos promises both transport operators and drivers the benefits of easy and well thought-out handling as well as outstanding efficiency. The general styling and the design idiom of the Mercedes-Benz Antos reveal its relationship with the Mercedes-Benz Actros, but the very different requirements for the cab give it an unmistakable character of its own. The 2.30-metre-wide cabs, designed specifically for the short-radius distribution transport market, are available in either short 'S' or medium-size 'M' versions. Both offer a convincing combination of easy access, optimised ergonomics and intuitive controls.

The beating heart of the new model series is provided by the latest Euro VI range of engines with "Blue Efficiency Power", produced in Mannheim and launched in March of this year. With a total of 13 power categories, the Mercedes-Benz Antos covers a broad spectrum of engine power from 175 kW (238 hp) to 375 kW (510 hp). The new vehicles are available as either platform trucks or tractor units in a total of 67 different wheelbase lengths, with the axle spacing ranging from a minimum of 2650 mm up to a maximum of 6700 mm. The driver is helped in his everyday duties by a fully automated PowerShift transmission, amongst other features. Safety can also be further improved by the addition of optional safety systems such as Active Brake Assist, which reacts to stationary obstacles.

The new specialists

The basic range of models available with the new Mercedes-Benz Antos short-radius distribution truck and the new Mercedes-Benz Actros long-distance transport truck is extended by the addition of further specialist models that increase the efficiency of both model series still further. With an unladen weight of around six tonnes, the Loader is designed to maximise the payload, while the low coupling point and low frame height of the Volumer, together with an interior height of three metres, maximise the vehicle's load capacity.

Heavy-duty short-radius distribution operations

Heavy-duty short-range distribution involves, above all, the regional transportation of commodities such as food, with the retail sector one of the key areas served. The platform trucks with refrigerated or box bodies that are so often used here spend more or less equal proportions of their time in urban traffic, on country roads and on the motorway.

This operating profile gives rise to very specific requirements of the optimum vehicle for heavy-duty short-radius distribution work: what is needed is a vehicle with good all-round visibility that is easy to operate and configured for single-day tours. A broad spectrum of engine power is required in order to cope with varying regional topography and different loads; many stops and the frequent need to change route make professional logistics management essential; and of course - on top of all this - the operator wants a vehicle that, as his 'calling card', conveys a representative image of his company.