Willmotts Receives 5 New Mercedes-Benz Actros With 2nd-Generation MirrorCam

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With the latest versions of Mercedes-Benz’ MirrorCam and Multimedia Cockpits, the new Actros tractor units increase safety, while simplifying operation for Willmotts’ drivers. (Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.)

Mercedes-Benz launched its second-generation MirrorCam technology this May, and West Country haulier Willmotts have added five new Actros equipped with the updated system to their fleet. These Actros 2548 tractor units are some of the first trucks in the UK to benefit from second-gen MirrorCam, which Mercedes-Benz says benefits from shorter camera arms, redesigned camera housings, and improved image quality.

The powerful new Actros are powered by a 12.8-litre engine rated for 476 horsepower (350 kilowatts), and the tractor units also feature BigSpace cabs. Willmotts prefers to operate with a mixed fleet, yet the technology focused Actros could earn Mercedes-Benz more business going forward.

“Assuming the driver feedback remains as positive, and the trucks continue to live up to their early promise, there’s a real opportunity here for Mercedes-Benz to increase its share of our fleet,” says Willmotts Managing Director Dan Gray.

Second-Generation MirrorCam

The new MirrorCam cameras are mounted on shorter, 10-centimetre (3.9-inch) arms, which Mercedes-Benz says reduce the likelihood of collisions with external objects. In addition, they benefit from new camera housings designed to cut down on the buildup of debris on the cameras’ lenses. Not all of the refinements are structural, however; Mercedes-Benz has improved MirrorCam’s tone mapping, or the process of adapting an image to improve contrast display with a large range of tones, for a more accurate picture of the truck’s surroundings.

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MirrorCam was the first camera-based alternative to conventional mirrors, and the second generation of the system provides even better visibility for drivers while the shorter camera arms and redesigned housings make the cameras less vulnerable to damage and debris build-up. (Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.)

“As well as enhancing safety, we’re told the system can reduce diesel consumption, because the compact cameras offer less wind resistance than mirrors,” says Willmotts Transport & Compliance Director Andy Tuck. “Any fuel savings will be very welcome, as will the expected reductions in AdBlue consumption.”

Multimedia Cockpit

Willmotts’ new Actros incorporate a wealth of other Mercedes-Benz technologies, as well, including the Multimedia Cockpit with twin screens in place of traditional switchgear. “The latest Actros is so very different,” Tuck says, “and that’s not only down to MirrorCam; the Multimedia Cockpit is also a radical departure. There was some initial apprehension about the new trucks from a couple of drivers, but that reticence didn’t last long—they were soon enthusing about the new and easy-to-use dashboard, and how much more they can see with MirrorCam.”

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Source: Mercedes-Benz