Daimler Truck is celebrating clocking up three billion Euro 6 kilometres in Australia at the Brisbane Truck Show from May 15-18.
With the new Australian ADR 80/04 emission mandate coming into effect this November, a lot of the focus in Brisbane will be on trucks that will meet the new standard, which requires engines that meet Euro 6 or equivalent emission standards from around the world.
It’s old news for Daimler Truck, which introduced the first full range of Euro 6 trucks with the Mercedes-Benz Actros all the way back in 2016.
It followed that up with the Freightliner Cascadia in 2019 and the Fuso Shogun in 2021, which also meet Euro 6 equivalent standards.
“There’ll be no surprises for Daimler Truck customers when the new ADR kicks this November,” said Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Vice President Sales, Marketing and Operations, Andrew Assimo.
“Our customers have billions of local miles under their belts with Euro 6 over the last eight years. Our customers can work easy knowing nothing is about to change.”
To meet ADR 80/04 emission standards, truck engines must produce 70 per cent less hydrocarbons and 77-80 per cent less oxides of nitrogen (NOx), as well as 50-66 per cent smaller particulates.
Big reveal in Brisbane
Daimler Truck will also be showing trucks that emit zero exhaust emissions in Brisbane. It will showcase the fully-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros and eEconic as well as the full Fuso eCanter electric range.
The Fuso eCanter was the first production electric truck introduced in Australia in 2021 and the next generation version is even more advanced. The eActros is the most advanced electric heavy-duty truck available and Centurion recently hit the road with 20 units all charged by solar power.
Daimler Truck isn’t ready to reveal everything it will present at the show, but Big Rigs understands it will present a ‘validation’ version of the next generation Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin in Brisbane.
It is likely that the fresh ProCabin truck will replace existing the larger cab Actros models in the range, including the 2.5 StreamSpace and GigaSpace models.
The ProCabin was designed with aerodynamics in mind, and this drag reduction policy has delivered fuel efficiency savings of up to 3 per cent in Europe.
Big Rigs understands Mercedes-Benz will follow its usual pattern of handing-over a number of these trucks with Australian fleets before the new model hits local roads in larger numbers.
Something Mercedes-Benz Trucks is willing to confirm is that it will introduce a new safety package on all Actros models later this year that adds four additional radars for a total of five on each truck.
While some truck makers are just now introducing active emergency braking systems to comply with Australian legislation, Daimler Truck has featured the vital safety technology on Australian trucks since 2012.
As you might expect from a brand that is known for its safety features, Mercedes-Benz will push further with a new safety package that will boost safety for drivers and other road users.
The existing Actros has a centrally-mounted radar that works with a camera installed behind the windscreen. Engineers have now fitted radars on the outer edge of the front bumper and on each side of the cab.
This enables a 270-degree view around the vehicle and allows for the clever Active Side Guard Assist system to be improved by covering an even greater area than before. It can even stop the truck when it is turning left (up to 20km/h) if it detects a hazard.
Mercedes-Benz has also confirmed it will bring the legendary off-road Unimog to the stand this year. The Unimog boasts unmatched 4×4 capability and a presence that can’t be matched.
New Fuso packs a punch
Fuso will show its trusted off-road model, the Canter 4×4 offers a robust and capable machine with Japanese robustness and low-range gearing at an affordable price. This will be the first time Fuso has shown the facelifted 4×4 Canter in public.
The facelifted Canter brings an all-new front-end styling including LED headlights that are 30 per cent brighter than before, as well a new and improved multimedia unit on the inside with wireless connectivity for Apple and Android phones.
Fuso won’t discuss the other models it has on its stand, but you would have to imagine it may roll out one of the new heavy-duty trucks that have been revealed in Japan.
They are called the Super Great there, but go by the name Shogun in Australia.
A new version has been revealed in Japan with a new design and a 13-litre with no less than 530hp.
That is a huge amount of punch for a Japanese truck. Fuso’s current Shogun holds the title for the most powerful Japanese truck in Australia with its 13-litre 510hp model, so there is every chance it is preparing to go one better with a 530hp unit in Brisbane.
Freightliner will mark the debut of an eye-catching Cascadia special edition celebrating Freightliner’s routes that go all the way back to 1942.
This special pack adds unique wheels, bumper, tanks and seat embroidery that highlight the heritage of the iconic American brand.
One of the most prominent special edition trucks is the range-topping Cascadia 126 Raised Roof (RR), which has real big truck presence. It features a cavernous 60-inch cabin that means it is more like a highway hotel than a truck cab.
The Cascadia was introduced in Australia in 2019 and lifted conventional truck safety and connectivity to a new level. It remains the only bonneted truck in Australia with a steering wheel mounted airbag and is also available with a head-protecting side airbag.
The Cascadia also features the Detroit Connect advanced safety suite of technology including active systems such as the Active Brake Assist AEBS system, and Side Guard Assist, as well as connected data systems.
As part of a recent upgrade Detroit Connect now incorporates video capture of critical incidents to help chain-of-responsibility compliance and provide driver training opportunities.
These 30-second clips can be viewed by fleet managers, along with vehicle data, captured using the truck’s existing forward-facing camera, eliminating the need for an aftermarket dashcam.