A special anniversary new Actros treat

NEW ACTROS

Downes Transport celebrates a quarter of a century with a pearly white new Actros, which delivers stellar fuel performance.

The haulage company have marked a milestone with a new addition to their fleet – a beautiful new Actros with MirrorCam. Both owner Douglas and driver Simon have been elated with the truck technology and major fuel savings.

“I’ve been running Mercedes-Benz trucks since I started out, and have stuck with them ever since for their reliability, competitive running costs, and comfort.”

- Douglas Downes, Company Owner, Downes Transport

Mercedes-Benz since the beginning.

Downes Transport, based in Amesbury, Wiltshire specialise in distribution services and warehouse storage. The company was established by Douglas Downes in 1995 and is a proud member of the Road Haulage Association and United Pallet Network (UPN).

All but two of the operator’s seven tractor units wear the three-pointed star, as do six of its rigids, most of them 26-tonners. Douglas Downes explained that the family-run business has always been loyal to the Mercedes-Benz brand, “I’ve been running Mercedes-Benz trucks since I started out, and have stuck with them ever since for their reliability, competitive running costs, and comfort.”

A special anniversary truck treat.

The company have had a busy year – it continued to operate throughout lockdown and beyond, whilst also marking its 25th anniversary.

To celebrate, a very special new Actros 2545 BigSpace truck was commissioned. Finished in stunning pearl white livery with a colour-coded front bumper and blue chassis, the vehicle is certainly a beauty! A laurel leaf motif, printed on the sides of the cab, proudly highlights their 25th anniversary whilst a striking roof-mounted light bar and air horns, chrome grille and Alcoa alloy wheels give the truck an overall sleek and sharp appearance.

The optional ExtraLine pack, meanwhile, includes a chrome-trimmed sun visor, and a welcome light, which projects the Mercedes-Benz star onto the ground when the door is opened.

Driver Simon is delighted with his new Actros.

More than a pretty livery.

The truck doesn’t just look good however; it delivers in efficiency and fuel economy too.

Powered by a 12.8-litre, in-line six-cylinder engine that produces 330 kW (450 hp), the company’s new flagship has been allocated to experienced driver Simon Styles, in whose hands it is already returning some highly encouraging fuel figures.

“Simon’s getting just over 12 mpg from his new truck, which puts it about a mile-and-a-half ahead of our previous-generation Actros,” confirmed Douglas. “I’ll be a happy man indeed if it continues to perform this well.”

Additionally, the vehicle has the latest version of the well proven Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) system, which employs digital 3D mapping and GPS data to scan the topography of the road ahead, then manages gear changes and ensures that full use is made of the Mercedes PowerShift 3 transmission’s Eco Roll function to maximise fuel-efficiency and reduce emissions. The system now factors in the curvature of the road as well, making it ideal for use on rural routes.

Director Craig Downes, foreground, is pictured with Simon Styles, the driver of Downes Transport’s new flagship, and his colleagues Tommy Arkle, left, and Reece Boyson.

“We’re delighted with our anniversary truck. It looks fantastic, while Simon has really embraced all of the new technology and, if the fuel returns are anything to go by, is clearly using it to good effect.”

- Douglas Downes, Company Owner, Downes Transport

An array of impressive features.

The biggest unique feature of the new-generation vehicle is undoubtedly MirrorCam. The ground-breaking technology enhances safety by providing all-round visibility and eliminates forward-facing blind spots caused by conventional mirrors.

The system also cuts fuel costs by an estimated 1.5%, due to the camera’s compact, streamlined housings creating far less wind resistance.

Other notable safety features include potential life-saving Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5) which utilises a combination of radar and cameras to improve driver responses in speeds of up to 50 kph. When encountering pedestrians, the truck can employ full braking, as opposed to the 50% achieved previously, helping the driver to avoid collisions.

Inside the cab, driver Simon benefits from a Multimedia Cockpit, interactive and contemporary StyleLine interior with aluminium-effect trim. The smart leather-upholstery and leather-trimmed steering wheel add to the ‘feel good’ effect, as do the optional LED ambient driving and living lighting, DAB radio, and fridge.

Still Mercedes-Benz, after all these years.

Overall both Simon and Douglas couldn’t be happier with this new addition to the fleet. The prestige and quality of the vehicle only reaffirms why the company has stayed true to the brand after all these years, as Douglas explains, “They’re always popular with our drivers, and that’s certainly true of our 25th anniversary unit.”

What do you think of Downes Transport special anniversary truck?

Are you a fan of the sleek livery? Or do you love MirrorCam? Let us know in the comment section below.

Comment

Please log in to post a comment.

No comments yet