A quick glance at the Mercedes Benz Actros range of trucks.

Let’s learn something in depth about the mighty Mercedes Benz Actros range of trucks.

I thought it would be wise enough to compare these two road monster range one by one and see who takes the lead. Most of these observations are from mechanics and drivers whose most part of their lives they spend with these European machines

Let me begin with the Daimler-AG Mercedes Benz Actros range of trucks.

These trucks are made for long-distance haulage, heavy duty distribution and construction transportation. These are the kind that will haul a load to Juba from Mombasa without any hitches apart from occasional fueling or perhaps a puncture or such other minor hitches.

They are powered by either of two type of diesel which are either V8 or V6 engines. There is the OM 501 LA 541 which is a 12-litre V6 with outputs ranging from 238hp to 625hp. This engine uses an engine management system known as the PLD (Pumpe Leitung Duese-German abbr) that uses single plug-in pumps for each cylinder that supplies fuel under a pressure of 1600bar to the injection valves. The second engine is the OM 502 LA 542 which is usually found on the newer models. I have from some forums that this is one of the European engines that Kenyan mechanics are conversant with. Word has been moving around that the Actros 3340, is one truck that was specifically made for the African market. Perhaps it is true seeing how many old 3340s that are still running well. By the way, before I forget, all of these engines are turbo-charged and intercooled.

The Actros range of trucks has evolved across four distinct phases, from Actros 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the second generation having an electronic sequential gearbox (the Telligent Gearbox). This gearbox uses a computer and a load- sensing system on the fifth wheel coupling to estimate the best gear that the truck must be in. There is also an automatic version of this gear box. The fourth generation of the Actros uses exclusively the 12-speed Powershift 3 automated gearbox. Here, drivers are afforded precise gear selection, short shift times, optimum ride comfort and minimum consumption in any driving situation. The V8 engine has been optimized for performance hence delivering an incredibly high torque response which works in harmony with the shift strategy of the standard-fit automated transmission hence giving a smoother driving experience. This truck uses an optionally available mind-blowing Predictive Powertrain Control system which adapts to the topography of the road ahead by using satellite positioning technology and a 3D map which works with the engine, optimizing gear-shift points and cruise control speeds.  

By the way, the Actros has won numerous awards among them the prestigious Truck of the Year award, Truck of the Decade and Guinness World Record for the most fuel efficient truck in the world at 40 tonnes. This is a truck with a very great pedigree. Word from Mercedes Benz truck webpage that the new actros has been equipped with frugal engines with the Euro V model having up to 7 percent lower consumption than its predecessors.

DT Dobie is the local franchise holder of this machine in Kenya…… A unit costs around 10 million Kenya Shillings. They have a warranty of one year.

This truck has a range of available options from wheel configurations and wheelbases to cab and storage options which is immense and makes it possible to configure the right vehicle for your long distance transport operation. There are a host of safety and assistance systems available to the driver including the new Attention Assist, the enhanced Active Brake Assist as well as the Proximity Control Assist with a stop-and-go function.

Porshe Kenya opens body repair shop

Porsche Centre Nairobi has opened a Sh122 million body shop for repair of Porsche cars and other luxury brands.

The facility dubbed PoshAutoBody  located off Mombasa Road, has European technology and equipment that enables the repair of most car
brands from Europe and Asia.

"As an automotive entity, we aim to deliver
total satisfaction and premium experience to
our customers,” said Dimitris Karakoulas, the
general manager automotive at Porsche.

Porsche emerged the   top-selling model in the luxury vehicle market.

Source: Business Daily

You thought the Xtrail is still ugly?

This car is a Crossover Sports Utility Vehicle. The current model, 2008 model year onwards, has an option for a third row of seats. The new Xtrail is more stylish has alot to offer, from good space on the boot to carry some much more stuff from the village or from the shopping mall. It has an acceptable front legroom and an above average second row of seats save for the small headroom. The third row of seats is cramped. It has some good safety features, mostly derived from the all new Renault-Nissan Vehicle architecture which supports advanced systems around.
Upon arrival of the seven seater Xtrail, Nissan discontinued the production of the Qashqai+2, actually the new Xtrail and the current Qashqai models share a common basic architecture in a platform known as the Renault-Nissan Common Module Family.
Front wheel-drive is standard but those who opt for the diesel engine have an option for the 4WD that comes in any of these four trims; Visia, Acenta, n-tec and Tekna. Initially, the Xtrail had a 2.0 litre powerplant but newer models have a 2.0 litre dCi turbodiesel producing 171hp for the manual transmission and 148hp for the six speed auto. The 2014 Xtrail has a 1.6 litre dCi turbo diesel that produces 128hp and 320NM of torque. A 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine has also been added to the range in 2015.

The diesel Xtrail also has either auto or manual transmission. Older models had a five speed manual but the 2007 model onwards have a six speed manual gear box. Older models had a 4-speed auto but newer ones have a 6-speed present speeds in a system known as Xtronic CVT.

This car handles pretty well on the road for its class but don't be over-ambitious as this is no sports car, it was actually designed with the family in mind. It features the Active Trace Control,initially found in the Infiniti M, a driving aid that applys the brakes to individual wheels when cornering for better stability. It also has cruise-control, air-conditioning and bluetooth phone connectivity as standard; alloy wheels, six airbags, LED daytime running lights and hill assist among other smart features.

On safety, it scored the full five stars in its Euro NCAP crash tests.