Copyright © 2001 FleetWatch magazine and FleetWatch On-Line.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission from the publishers. Views published are not necessarily those of the publishers.

A DRIVER’S DREAM; a home from home; a boudoir. Call it what you will but the Actros Space- Max is something every driver will surely lust after. This concept truck was one of the highlights on the Mercedes-Benz stand and had everyone queuing for a look-see – even FleetWatch’s very own Max Braun who looked on his namesake with a mixture of envy and critical evaluation.

"How do you compensate what seems like a lack of aerodynamics and thus increased fuel consumption with comfort," he asked one of the attendants who looked at him as if he was crazy. "Dunno," he answered in German. At least, that’s what I translated it to mean.

I dunno either and while Max has a point, it was lost on the general aura of magnificence that encompassed one on entering the cab. The spaciousness defies description and this is made so by the fact that the 80cm mattress/bed is fully integrated into the back panel and, when needed, is folded out by an electro hydraulic mechanism. You don’t notice it when it’s folded away.

When the driver lies on the topquality mattress, he or she can opt to look directly at the stars through the large power sliding roof or can instead watch a favourite DVD on the flat-screen TV screen.

By giving the cab a roof height of four metres, Mercedes-Benz almost went to the limit of what is legally permitted. The glass roof allows a great deal of daylight to enter into the cab’s living quarters. The interior, characterised by the use of light-coloured leather and walnut, has a modern and friendly feel to it.
 

From top to bottom • This is ite. A driver’s dream truck – the Mercedes-Benz Space Max. • The driver’s work station is a wow with all controls readily at hand to do the job while knowing all the home comforts are going with for the ride. • How’s this ‘relaxation’ seat situated on the passenger’s side. Eeiish! Our guys in SA would love that for their particular passengers.

And check out that ultracomfortable "relaxation" seat located on the front passenger side of the cab. The seat can be rotated, making it ideal for use during breaks. Move over to the driver’s work station and you’ve again got a ‘wow’.

While most ‘concept’ ideas never really reach the streets, Mercedes- Benz reckons the Space Max concept is firmly rooted in real life as cabs are becoming increasingly important for drivers as attractive areas for conducting work and engaging in recreation.
 

	From top to bottom • The smile on this young journalist’s face says it all doesn’t it? Note the walnut panelling and light coloured leather finishes. Gee, I feel like an interior designer journalist here. • An entrance which entices you in with a warm welcome. • The electonic sun-roof opens totally to bring light and/or air into the driver’s living space.

"Today’s drivers are often alone, not only when steering the vehicles but also during their rest times. As a result, having a cosy, comfortable cab is now more important to drivers than ever before in order to compensate for their stressful working lives. In the Actros Space- Max, drivers can find the rest and relaxation they need to excel in their jobs," is what the designers say.

The vehicle is based on the Actros 1860 LS with BlueTec 5 technology and Mercedes PowerShift, the new generation of automated gearshifts from Mercedes-Benz. As a result, the truck also guarantees the best in driving comfort for which the required performance is provided by a 600 hp engine.

I’ll take two thank you!