Mercedes Benz V8 Truck Engine

[Milton Beaty]

Thefirst Mercedes-Benz truck range, presented at the 1926 Berlin Motor Show (October) and at the 1927 International Motor Show for Trucks and Special Vehicles in Cologne (May) included three basic models with the payloads of 1.5, 2.5 and 5 tons. Each model was available with a standard and a low-frame chassis. Low chassis made sense especially that time to make easier loading and unloading of the vehicle. Also the low chassis has been used to build the buses. The models with the standard chassis were L1, L2 and L5 (L stood for Lastwagen, German word for a truck, and the digit stood for the rated payload in tons). The models with the low chassis were N1, N2 and NJ5/N5 (N stood for Niederwagen, meaning low car). The trucks were equipped with the four-cylinder petrol engines (M14, M2 and M5), developing 45HP, 55HP and 70 HP. Mercedes-Benz L1 and L2 were the new models, but Mercedes-Benz L5 truck was basically a continuation of famous Benz 5CN truck, which was developed before the merge of Benz & Cie and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft companies.

The nomenclature: In 1954 the old four-digit model series designation (indicated the payload in kilograms), was replaced by a three-digit model series designation, which basically corresponded to Mercedes-Benz internal model designations (in-house design codes). This nomenclature have been used for almost 10 years, from 1954 till 1963.

The Mercedes-Benz Actros is a heavy-duty truck introduced by Mercedes-Benz at the 1996 Commercial Vehicle IAA in Hannover, Germany, as the replacement for the SK. It is normally used for long-distance haulage, heavy-duty distribution haulage, and construction haulage. It is powered by an inline-6 diesel engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. In 2002, Daimler Trucks/Lorries launched version II of the Actros and in 2007, launched the version III. The fourth generation of the Actros, officially named "the New Actros", was launched in July 2011.[1]

The first generation Actros was introduced in 1996, and production continued until 2003. It had new features such as an electronically controlled air brake system, intelligent disc brakes on both front and rear, and the introduction of Controller Area Network (CAN) technology for the chassis and drivetrain. electro-pneumatic circuit on the new transmission models and the introduction of the new OM 500 V6 and V8 diesel engines with Telligent engine control.

The chassis of the Actros is produced with two, three, or four axle models, with the option of air suspension. A total of 3300 mm and 6300 mm wheelbases can be selected; the construction version of the Actros is available between 3300 and 5100 mm wheelbases with the option of leaf or air suspension on the front axle and parabolic leaf springs on the rear.

A new feature of the Actros is the Pump-Line Nozzle Fuel Injection System, an improvement over the more traditional plug-in pumps that have been used for decades. Each cylinder has its own injection pump, which is driven by its own camshaft.

The second-generation Actros was released in 2003 with upgraded interior and exterior components such as Bi-Xenon headlamps, updated Euro 3 emission compliance, a lighter rear axle, and new equipment.

Mercedes-Benz released a new special edition of the Actros, the Black Edition series, which is limited to 250 units. This Black Edition Series comes with a 450 kW (612 PS) OM502LA V8 engine with upgraded interior and exterior components such as bird's-eye maple, leather-wrapped steering wheel and seat covers with Mercedes-Benz "Star" badge, a specially-designed grille with chrome clasp, a new front apron with stainless steel grill, chrome-framed headlights, and chrome-plated side mirrors.

The third-generation Actros was introduced in 2008 at the IAA Commercial Vehicles, and it was the last facelift of the previous Actros. At the time of launch, the Actros was the first truck in the segment to offer automatic transmission as standard. [3]

The changes for the MP3 Actros are the side mirrors, which were adapted from the special edition models of the previous generation and have closed brackets, and slightly revised Bi-Xenon headlamps. A battery status indicator was added, as were rain and light sensors, a world first for a truck.

The second generation comes with an electronic sequential gearbox that Mercedes-Benz has dubbed the "Telligent Gearbox." It pushes forward the principle used in some earlier Mercedes-Benz tractors: using the gearshift lever to command a pneumatically actuated system that changes the gears. The Telligent gearbox utilizes a computer together with a load-sensing system on the fifth-wheel coupling to estimate the proper gear that the truck must be in. For example, if you want to upshift, the computer estimates the load on the tractor and the current engine mode and gives you the proper gear for decreasing the engine. On the other hand, if you want to downshift, the computer assumes you wish to overtake and gives you the proper gear for acceleration.

The system consists of a small lever, tilted for ergonomics, mounted under the right armrest and a flat switch underneath. The lever has two buttons on either side. When at a standstill, the driver must push the right button, then (while holding it), push the lever forward and release it. The current gear is shown as a large number on the main display. After doing this, the driver steps on the clutch pedal and waits for approximately two seconds. After the gearshift has been completed, a double click is sounded through the speakers, and the driver proceeds with pulling off as normal.

Once moving, the driver has two choices. They may push or pull the lever to let the computer choose the gear for them, or they can use the splitter switch (the small switch under the lever) to pre-select gears. Either way, the gear is selected first, then the clutch is depressed. For example, if you're in fourth fast, pulling the splitter switch up once pre-selects fifth slow.

Depending on the model, either Actros 1, 2, or 3, the electronics may vary. For example, the braking system known as EPB or BS from Wabco incorporates ABS and ASR functions. The stopping distance of the Actros was drastically reduced as compared to its predecessor, the SK. In later models of Actros 2 and all Actros 3 models, the braking system was improved to EPB 2.

The electronics in Actros 1 are networked via Controller Area Network (CAN) in a system known as IES (Integrated Electronics System), with the instrument cluster as the Central Gateway (CGW) or interphase. In Actros 2 and 3, the electronics are also networked by CAN in a system known as KontAkt (the concept of the electronic systems in the Actros).

There are a wide range of other electronic features offered as extras. These include lane assist (which warns the driver if they inadvertently leave their lane), autonomous intelligent cruise control (ART), which engages the brakes if the vehicle in front suddenly stops, side-looking radar for warning the driver about a vehicle in their blind spot, and more, mostly oriented towards safety. All of them are marketed as "Telligent."

Actros Armored Heavy Support Vehicle System (AHSVS) is a military armored truck (86 were ordered by the Canadian Army in 2007) using the civilian Actros platform with a protected cab developed by Land Mobility Technologies in South Africa in cooperation with Composhield of Denmark for Mercedes-Benz.[4]

Singapore uses military variants of the Actros for its Singapore Army in heavy-lift logistical support roles, designated as the HMCT (High Mobility Cargo Transporter), and recently as a launch platform for the air defense system and the intercontinental ballistic missile trailer. SAF also uses it as a fuel truck and as an ambulance.[5]

In 2011, the New Actros appeared for the first time. Components are not shared with its predecessors. Although available at launch with Euro V emissions standards, the New Actros was designed as a Euro VI truck with the additional space required for cooling systems.

In September 2018, Mercedes-Benz revealed the revised 2019 Actros at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover, Germany. The vehicle now has two color displays (a touch screen and an infotainment display behind the steering wheel), replacing the conventional instrument cluster on old Actros models, and can be integrated with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Its outside mirrors were replaced with cameras, and it can do semi-automated driving using Active Drive Assist. [7]

With the third generation now available to order and available from October 2022, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is launching the next stage and fielding its best-selling heavy-duty commercial vehicle engine with a whole range of efficiency-enhancing innovations. Each of these optimization measures helps serve the high demands of fleet operators and professional truck drivers.

The improvements in efficiency for the third generation of the OM 471 are the result of a number of engine innovations. For example, the geometry of the piston recess, the injection nozzle design and the parameters of the cylinder head relevant for gas exchange were subject to an extensive optimization process. In this way, the compression ratio of the six-cylinder in-line engine has been increased from 18.3:1 to 20.3:1, this leads to more efficient combustion with a peak ignition pressure of 250 bar.

The second turbocharger variant is designed for high performance and a high engine braking force and is ideal for use in the heavy-duty- and construction sector with an engine rating of up to 390 kW (530 hp). For the lower and medium performance levels of the OM 471, the maximum fuel saving compared with the previous generation is up to four percent, and for the upper performance levels up to 3.5 percent. Thanks to lower consumption, both operating costs as well as CO2 emissions are reduced. The high-power variant is also used in the lower performance levels for the construction applications of the Arocs.

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