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COMMERCIAL MOTOR

Merc’s 7.5-tonne Atego punches above its weight

Mercedes In the top three of the 7.5 tonne-market, Mercedes’ Atego is still having technology updates to beat its rivals

Words: Colin Barnett / Images: Jeff Bloxham

Benz Atego 816

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34 COMMERCIAL MOTOR 27/05/10

There’s no denying that the Mercedes-Benz Atego range is reaching the final stages of its product cycle, but in the UK marketplace it is still routinely one of the top three sellers at 7.5 tonnes. Although a new model can’t be far away, development of today’s version certainly hasn’t stopped. Behind the familiar face, new technology such as automated transmissions, EEV low-emissions engines and engine stop/start systems are now available.

The 7.5-tonne model we tested is an 816 example of the range, which encompasses the Mercedes offering up to 18 tonnes, and small city artics. It comes with Euro-5- compliant emissions, courtesy of AdBlue, at the lowest, 154hp, rating of the 4.25-litre OM904LA four-pot engine. The transmission is a straight-forward six-speed manual, paired with the MSS (motor stop/start) system, a now standard fitment. This works on the same principle as the EcoStart system fitted to the Sprinter, which shuts down the engine after the vehicle has been at rest for a pre-de-

termined period, with neutral selected and the clutch released. When the clutch is pressed again, ready to engage a gear, the engine automatically restarts. The activa-tion period is adjustable by a technician’s laptop, from three seconds to infinity. Ours was set at six seconds. Mercedes’ test fig-ures show savings of up to 10% in the right conditions, which seems to correlate with

our own experience on the Sprinter.Obviously, if your operation is all on motorway, you

won’t save anything, but the more stop-start work you do in heavy city traffic, the greater the possible savings. It’s normally possible to turn off the system, but this particu-lar truck had previously been used as a customer demon-strator and the switch had been removed so that the maximum benefit could be illustrated. It still needs driver co-operation, though, to make the effort to engage neu-tral at rest. The dream pairing would be MSS and an automated manual, but this is still a little way from pro-duction viability.

The rest of the vehicle is pretty much the basic offering,

SPECIFICATIONSImporter: Mercedes Benz UK Ltd, Delaware Drive, Tongwell, Milton Keynes MK15 8BA

Web address: www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/trucks

Engine: MB OM904LA, Euro-5 turbo-diesel with electronicunit injectors, SCR emission reduction

Cylinders: Four, in-line

Bore x stroke: 102mm x 130mm

Capacity: 4.25 litres

Compression ratio: 17.8:1

Maximum power: 154hp (115kW) at 2,200rpm

Maximum torque: 610Nm (450lbft) at 1,200rpm -1,600rpm

Transmission: MB G56-6 six-speed synchromesh manual

Gear ratios: 6.29, 3.48, 2.10, 1.38, 1.00, 0.79:1; rev, 6.29:1

Final drive ratio: 3.64:1

Clutch: 362mm dia single dry plate with M55 enginestop/start

Brakes: Dual circuit full air system, discs front and rear, ABS

Parking brake: Spring brakes on rear axle

Brake dimensions: Front and rear, 335mm

Chassis: High tensile steel ladder frame

Dimensions: 230mm x 65mm x 5mm

Body specification: DJ Bodywork 20ft box van with Carbofont panels

Suspension: Front, parabolic leaf springs; rear, dual-rateparabolic leaf springs, anti-roll bars and telescopic shock absorbers all-round

Steering: Variable rate power-assisted recirculating ball

Turns lock-to-lock: 4.5

Turning circle: 12.7m

Wheels and tyres: 6 x 17.5in steel wheels with Bridgestone 215/75R17.5 M788 (f) and R227 (r) tyres

Fuel tank: 125 litres plastic

AdBlue tank: 25 litres plastic

Electrical system: 24V CAN-bus system

Battery: 2 x 12V, 115Ah

Alternator: 80A

In brief:

Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Atego 816 Price as tested: £41,490(plus VAT)Engine: 4.25 litre, 154hp (115kW)GVW: 7,490kgPayload: 3,218kgBody/payload allowance: 3,950kg

Test comparison dataVehicle: DAF LF45.160EEV Tested: 31 July 2008

Vehicle: Iveco EurocargoML75E165 Tested: 8 October 2009

MERCEDES-BENz ATEGO 816

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27/05/10 COMMERCIAL MOTOR 35

Importer: Mercedes Benz UK Ltd, Delaware Drive, Tongwell, Milton Keynes MK15 8BA

Web address: www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/trucks

Engine: MB OM904LA, Euro-5 turbo-diesel with electronicunit injectors, SCR emission reduction

Cylinders: Four, in-line

Bore x stroke: 102mm x 130mm

Capacity: 4.25 litres

Compression ratio: 17.8:1

Maximum power: 154hp (115kW) at 2,200rpm

Maximum torque: 610Nm (450lbft) at 1,200rpm -1,600rpm

Transmission: MB G56-6 six-speed synchromesh manual

Gear ratios: 6.29, 3.48, 2.10, 1.38, 1.00, 0.79:1; rev, 6.29:1

Final drive ratio: 3.64:1

Clutch: 362mm dia single dry plate with M55 enginestop/start

Brakes: Dual circuit full air system, discs front and rear, ABS

Parking brake: Spring brakes on rear axle

Brake dimensions: Front and rear, 335mm

Chassis: High tensile steel ladder frame

Dimensions: 230mm x 65mm x 5mm

Body specification: DJ Bodywork 20ft box van with Carbofont panels

Suspension: Front, parabolic leaf springs; rear, dual-rateparabolic leaf springs, anti-roll bars and telescopic shock absorbers all-round

Steering: Variable rate power-assisted recirculating ball

Turns lock-to-lock: 4.5

Turning circle: 12.7m

Wheels and tyres: 6 x 17.5in steel wheels with Bridgestone 215/75R17.5 M788 (f) and R227 (r) tyres

Fuel tank: 125 litres plastic

AdBlue tank: 25 litres plastic

Electrical system: 24V CAN-bus system

Battery: 2 x 12V, 115Ah

Alternator: 80ADASH DETAIL It may be the smallest cab in the range, but this Atego offers plenty of accommodation for a working day. The central

seat is at its best when used in its folded-down mode.

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Fact file: Plated weights

GVW 7,490GCW 18,000Front axle 3,400Rear axle 5,000

Fact file: Test weights*

Kerb weight 3,540Net payload 3,218Body/payload allowance

3,950*With 75kg driver

Fact file: Security

Engine immobiliser ✔

Alarm Optional Central locking ✖

Deadlocking ✖

Secure bonnet ✖

Locking fuel cap ✔

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with the S day cab, steel suspension and a 4,220mm wheel-base, the fourth longest of the five choices.

The body fitted is a 20ft box from DJ Bodywork, of Ket-tering, Northants, the latest incarnation of the operation once part of Derek Jones Commercials.

It is constructed using lightweight Carbofont panels, with their distinctive dimpled surface, and matching side skirts with faired-in rear wheels, sourced from Hatcher.

Joining cab and body is the other weapon from Merc’s special armoury, Freddie, and his friends, the close-fitting cab side collars. Freddie is the first version of Mercedes’ three-dimensional roof spoiler, designed and built in the UK, which assists the air flowing over the conventional height body.

On the roadThis may be the smallest engine in the Atego family, but it punches above its weight. This is largely down to the 610Nm of torque, significantly higher than its key rivals at this rating.

The engine is flexible and feels strong for a 160, pulling away easily in second on the flat. On the severe 1-in-3 test hill, it romped away with the ease normally felt on the neighbouring 1-in-4 slope.

Under way, the easy shifting gears are biased to the third/fourth plane and just work without issue.

If the truck’s brain thinks the driver can time the shifts more economically, a movable illuminating green sector on the rev counter shows where the revs should be in any given situation and encourages allowing the engine to lug more than a driver’s instinct might otherwise dictate.

On road and track alike, the engine characteristics trans-late into excellent performance on the proving ground standing start figures and on the measured hill climbs in the real world.

The steering passed virtually unnoticed, which is a good thing, while the brakes, slightly lacking in initial feel, worked well with further pressure, becoming quite progressive.

The small cab stayed surprisingly controlled during the extreme emergency stops on the track. The ride verges on being too firm on the worst road surfaces, but is just about right in all other situa-tions.

The dash slopes away to aid for-ward visibility, but the large circular front mirror gives a totally clear view of the whole front and nearside of the cab, plus a good half metre of the surrounding ground as well.

The only downside is that the posi-tioning leaves it rather vulnerable in

“Economy proved less than outstanding, particularly compared with the most recently

tested rivals from DAF and Iveco, at 20.8mpg”

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Service data

Servicing downtime: recommended standard servicing 80,000km/year UK trunking. Contract maintenance: One of a five-year contract, minimum of eight inspections, 80,000km/year UK trunking. Parts prices: Retail total of brake linings (full set); headlamp unit; door mirror, wiper blades; oil/air filters; clutch. Residual values: Trade value assuming 80,000km/year CAP Average Condition. Figures supplied by CAP Monitor. Contact: 0113 222 2000

ROAD TEST

tight spots. The regular mirrors do their job as intended.

ProductivityThe Mercedes-Benz Atego has never sold on its light

weight. After all, if you really need another tonne of pay-load on your 7.5-tonner, your dealer will happily sell you a Canter. With the chassis cab weighing in at more than 3,500kg fully fuelled, but without driver, it goes some way to presenting one side of the debate over the sense of a 7.5-tonner as a type.

Economy, while acceptable, proved less than outstand-ing. Compared with the most recently tested rivals from DAF and Iveco, at 20.8mpg, it ended a fraction of a mile per gallon behind both, although a lower AdBlue con-sumption rate clawed back some of the deficit. CM’s Welsh test route is no arena to test the benefits of

the MSS system, not being tested at all through Hereford, and only a few more times in Ledbury and Cheltenham. If the test had involved the same eight hours within the M25, it would certainly have been a different story.

The extent of the benefits of the aerodynamic aids must also wait for another day, and a session of tightly control-led comparison testing.

Cab comfortWith the shortest, narrowest, lowest cab in the Mercedes truck range, the little Atego is going to cross continents in the wake of its grander siblings, but then, an Actros Megaspace would look silly trying to deliver Mrs Mig-gins’ new fridge.

However, the two vehicles do share the same DNA, not to mention various components around the cab. The inte-

Payload: as tested, kg 3,218

Body/payload allowance: 3,950kg

Service intervals: months/km 12/80,000

Servicing downtime: annual hours 2.2 hours

Contract maintenance: per year £3,752

Basket of spares*: £1,025

Residual value (3 years): £8,350

Residual value (5 years): £5,675

Dealers: UK/W.Europe 86/1,753

Warranty: basic cover, 12/unlimited months/km (driveline, 36/250,00)

List price: basic price £39,973

OWNERSHIP COMPARISONS

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engine

4.25-litre Euro-5 motor punches beyong its weight, developing 610Nm

OPeRATiOnAL ReSULTS

Fuel consumption:

Overall

Motorways

A-roads

Average speed:

Overall

Motorways

A-roads

Running costs: (diesel at £1.10/lit; AdBlue at 43p/lit)

AdBlue rate, % of diesel

Fuel cost, £/100km

AdBlue cost, £/100km

Total cost, £/100km

Hill performance:

Mommouth

Wantage

20.8mpg (13.6lit/100km)

20.9mpg (13.5lit/100km)

20.8mpg (13.6lit/100km)

64.2km/h

83.2km/h

58.0km/h

3.8% of diesel

£14.91/100km

£0.22/100km

£15.14/100km

2min, 21sec

1min, 43sec

gauge. Column controls are the same as any Merc truck, with the extra-multi-function controller on the left dealing with lighting and wiping functions, and the cruise control/limiter (and engine brake were it fitted) on the right.

The column itself is fully adjustable, and while neither outer seat has suspension, the driver’s has plenty of ad-justment possibilities.

Comfort was never an issue, though, with height-ad-justable outer seat belt mountings helping.

The central seat is higher than the outers, rendering it best kept for occasional use by those of normal stature, and includes a fold-down backrest with a tray large enough for your copy of CM, and a few smaller recesses. The other upside of the high seat is easy cross-cab access.

A flat tray on top of the central dash, with two different sized drink holders, looks after much oddment storage together with plenty of assorted smaller trays around the dash and decently-sized door pockets.

Two power outlets on the dash both deliver 24V, but having already cooked an expensive inverter recently, we weren’t taking any chances with anything not clearly marked as 24V compatible.

There are storage nets and coat hooks on the rear wall, as well as a wide bin with a conveniently placed bulge for a two-litre drink bottle. Otherwise, there’s only room for small bags or coats behind seats.

Over-screen, the radio/CD and tachograph, and an array of card slots, reside in front of the driver, with three open front shelves across the remaining width. ■

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“This may be the smallest engine in the Atego family, but it punches above its weight...

largely down to the 610nm of torque”rior is typically understated Mercedes grey, with a distinct lack of frippery. In fact, as a doz-en blank switch positions on the dash testify, it has a distinct lack of anything that isn’t on the basic spec list.

The count of extra toys fitted to the test truck is marked with just a solitary control for the body interior light.

That’s not to say the basic spec is particularly Spartan, though, with electric windows and mirrors, and cruise control/limiter fitted as standard.

A clear and fully equipped instrument panel includes a comprehensive trip computer, while AdBlue contents are indicated by a blue LED band arcing around the fuel

MeRceDeS-Benz ATegO 816

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27/05/10 COMMERCIAL MOTOR 39

Colin Barnett

The Mercedes-Benz Atego may need a facelift, but familiarity doesn’t breed contempt in this case – there’s nothing wrong with having been around

a bit. The fact that the current model is still competitive in the market place at this stage in its life-cycle creates a good launch-pad for the next generation.

The Atego doesn’t do anything so well as to distance itself from its rivals, but then it doesn’t do anything badly – it simply gets on with the job in an efficient manner. Although we still need to build more data in this new era of speed-limited 7.5-tonners, economy is likely to be on the high side of average, as are residual values. Build quality and standard equipment are good, and it doesn’t disappoint dynamically. Engine flexibility and chassis behaviour are both worthy of note.

The only major negative is the weight but for more weight-critical operations, you could specify a greater GVW or a lighter 7.5-tonner (Daimler provides both). You may never fall in love with an Atego, but you’ll never hate it, either.

NEXT WEEK

TESTS ON THE WEB...

The 102hp fleet version of VW’s latest Transporter comes under the spotlight.

DiMENSiONS

Xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxx

Acceleration:

(seconds)

Braking distance:

(stopping distance, m)

in-cab noise

dB(A)

in-cab noise

dB(A)

0-80km/h

24.0

32km/h

6.4

48km/h

65.9

Tickover

59.4

BEHiND THE WHEEl

Overall width 2,321mmOverall length 7,900mmOverall height 3,400mmExternal cab height 2,522mmStep heights 485mmCab floor height 886mmCab length 1,650mmCab internal height (max) 1,510mm

Body length 6,100mmBody width 2,400mmWheelbase (OAS) 4,220mmFront overhang 1,380mmRear overhang 2,400mmloading height 955mmChassis height 870mm

Fuel consumption:

Overall

Motorways

A-roads

Average speed:

Overall

Motorways

A-roads

Running costs: (diesel at £1.10/lit; AdBlue at 43p/lit)

AdBlue rate, % of diesel

Fuel cost, £/100km

AdBlue cost, £/100km

Total cost, £/100km

Hill performance:

Mommouth

Wantage

You can now find CM’s road tests on the web. We have uploaded hundreds of our in-depth truck and van road tests to www.roadtransport.com – just click on the link at the left, which says ‘Road tests’. There you can search for tests by vehicle type, make and model, or you can go to the manufacturers’ pages listed there.

The tests are complete – with every fact and figure from the print version – and they’re free to access. You’ll also find a list of the road tests on the web at www.roadtransport.com/alltests

Complete CM road tests – all free to access

DiMENSiONS

32-64km/h

10.4

48km/h

13.3

64km/h

67.4

48-80km/h

14.6

64km/h

30.8

80km/h

72.1

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