Celebrating 25 Years of the Mercedes-Benz Atego: A Versatile, Efficient, and Sustainable Truck for Distribution Haulage

 The Mercedes-Benz Atego is a versatile truck that can handle a variety of transport tasks in distribution haulage. It has been on the market for 25 years and has gone through several generations of improvements and innovations. It has also won several awards, including the International Truck of the Year twice and the German Sustainability Award. In this article, we will look at the history, achievements, and innovations of the Atego and why it is still a popular choice for many customers.

The Atego's Debut in 1998

The Atego was introduced by Daimler-Benz AG in 1998 as a successor to the LK model series. It was designed to cover the segment with a permissible gross mass of between 6.5 and 15 tonnes and offer a high customization level for different applications. The Atego initially offered 25 basic types, six power output categories, and four cab variants. The engines were either four-cylinder or six-cylinder diesel units, with outputs ranging from 90 to 205 kW (122 to 279 hp) and torque from 470 to 1,300 Nm. The Atego also featured a new frame concept, which improved the access and cross-cab conditions for the drivers, who had to get in and out of the vehicle frequently during goods distribution.

The Atego quickly gained recognition for its performance, efficiency, and comfort. It won the International Truck of the Year award in 1999 and became a bestseller in its segment. In 2000, a new top-of-the-range version with a 240 kW (326 hp) engine was added to the lineup. In 2001, the heavy-duty Atego models over 18 tonnes were renamed Mercedes-Benz Axor, which combined the Actros' chassis with the Atego's cab.

The Atego's Second Generation in 2004

In 2004, a new generation of the Mercedes-Benz Atego was launched, with a redesigned front section, a new cockpit, and a new transmission. The new Atego had new H7 clear-glass headlamps, high-set white-glass indicators, wind deflectors, and new exterior mirrors. The interior was also revamped, with the cockpit more grouped around the driver and a new climate control system. The new Atego also had a nine-speed transmission, which replaced the previous twelve-speed one. An optional feature was the Telligent automated gearshift, which also had a roll-back lock built into the Telligent brake system. The new Atego was also linked to the Fleetboard telematics system, which enabled remote monitoring and management of the vehicles.

In 2005, a new payload-optimized model with a low chassis, 17.5-inch tyres, and a new 160 kW (218 hp) four-cylinder engine was introduced. This model was aimed at customers who needed a high payload capacity and a low loading height. In 2006, dump truck versions of the Atego were fitted with high-performance disc brake technology on all axles, which improved the braking performance and safety. The second generation Atego continued to be a successful product, with the 250,000th unit delivered in 2008.

The Atego's Facelift in 2010

In 2010, the Atego received a facelift, which improved its safety and comfort features. The new Atego had a new radiator grille, new headlamps with LED daytime running lights, new bumpers, and new exterior mirrors. The interior was also upgraded, with new seats, a new steering wheel, a new instrument cluster, and a new infotainment system. The new Atego also had new safety assistance systems, such as Lane Keeping Assist, which warned the driver if the vehicle drifted out of the lane, and the Active Brake Assist, which applied the brakes automatically if a collision was imminent. The new Atego also had the Telligent Stability Control, which prevented the vehicle from skidding or rolling over, and the Telligent Proximity Control, which maintained a safe distance from the vehicle in front.



The new Atego also had a new engine range, which complied with the Euro 5 and Euro 6 emission standards. The engines were either four-cylinder or six-cylinder diesel units, with outputs ranging from 115 to 210 kW (156 to 286 hp) and torque from 650 to 1,200 Nm. The engines were also more fuel-efficient, thanks to the BlueTEC technology, which reduced the nitrogen oxide emissions by injecting a urea solution into the exhaust gas. The new Atego also had a new transmission, which was either a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, or a nine-speed automated gearbox. The new Atego also had the EcoRoll function, which disengaged the engine from the transmission when the vehicle was coasting, and the EcoSupport function, which gave feedback to the driver on the fuel consumption and driving style.

The new Atego was well received by the customers and the media and won the International Truck of the Year award for the second time in 2011. The new Atego also won several other awards, such as the Green Truck Award in 2012, the Medium-Duty Truck of the Year in 2013, and the Best Commercial Vehicle in 2014.

The Atego's Third Generation in 2013

In 2013, a new model of the Atego was launched, with a new design and a new name. The new Atego was now called the Mercedes-Benz Atego and had a new cab, which was more spacious, ergonomic, and aerodynamic. The new Atego also had a new radiator grille, headlamps with LED daytime running lights, bumpers, and exterior mirrors. The interior was also redesigned, with new seats, a new steering wheel, a new instrument cluster, and a new infotainment system. The new Atego also had new safety assistance systems, such as Attention Assist, which monitored the driver's alertness and warned of fatigue, and Crosswind Assist, which stabilized the vehicle in strong crosswinds.

The new Atego also had a new engine range, which complied with the Euro 6 emission standards. The engines were either four-cylinder or six-cylinder diesel units, with outputs ranging from 115 to 220 kW (156 to 299 hp) and 650 to 1,200 Nm torque. The engines were also more fuel-efficient, thanks to the BlueEfficiency Power technology, which optimized the combustion, injection, and exhaust gas after treatment. The new Atego also had a new transmission: a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, or a nine-speed automated gearbox. The new Atego also had the EcoRoll function, the EcoSupport function, and the Predictive Powertrain Control, which used GPS data to adjust the speed and gear selection according to the road profile.

The new Atego was available in gross vehicle weights of 6.5 to 16 tonnes and offered a wide range of configurations, powertrains, and safety features. It was suitable for various transport tasks, such as distribution, construction, municipal services, and special-purpose vehicles. The new Atego was also compatible with the Fleetboard telematics system, which enabled remote monitoring and management of the vehicles.

The Atego's Electric and Hybrid Versions

The Atego was a versatile and efficient truck and a pioneer of electric and hybrid mobility. In 2010, the Atego BlueTEC Hybrid 1222L, which was the first series-produced hybrid truck in Europe, was launched. The Atego BlueTEC Hybrid combined a four-cylinder diesel engine with an electric motor, which reduced fuel consumption and emissions by up to 15%. The Atego BlueTEC Hybrid also had a start-stop function, which switched off the engine when the vehicle was stationary, and a regenerative braking system, which recovered energy during braking and stored it in batteries. The Atego BlueTEC Hybrid was suitable for urban and regional distribution, as well as for municipal services.

The Atego BlueTEC Hybrid was awarded the German Sustainability Award in 2010 for its contribution to environmental protection and resource conservation. The Atego BlueTEC Hybrid was also the first truck to receive the Blue Angel environmental label, which certifies products and services that have a low environmental and human health impact. The Atego BlueTEC Hybrid was followed by other hybrid models, such as the Atego E-CELL, which was a fully electric truck with a range of up to 120 km, and the Atego NGT, which ran on natural gas.

In 2018, the Atego was part of the Mercedes-Benz eActros Innovation Fleet, which tested the feasibility and practicality of electric trucks for heavy-duty distribution. The Atego eActros was a fully electric truck with a range of up to 200 km and a payload capacity of up to 11.5 tonnes. The Atego eActros was powered by two electric motors, which delivered a total output of 250 kW (340 hp) and a maximum torque of 970 Nm. The Atego eActros also had a modular battery system consisting of 11 lithium-ion battery packs, each with a capacity of 240 kWh. The Atego eActros could be charged at a charging station or a wallbox and took about two hours to reach 80% of the battery capacity.

The Atego eActros was tested by various customers in Germany and Switzerland, who used it for their regular distribution operations. The Atego eActros proved to be reliable, efficient, and eco-friendly and received positive feedback from the customers and the drivers. The Atego eActros was also awarded the Truck Innovation Award in 2019 for its contribution to the advancement of the truck industry. The Atego eActros was followed by other electric models, such as the Atego eEconic, a low-entry truck for municipal services, and the Atego eWay, a catenary hybrid truck for overhead contact lines.

The Atego eEconic was based on the Mercedes-Benz Econic, which was a low-entry truck for waste collection, fire fighting, and airport services. The Atego eEconic had an electric drivetrain similar to the Atego eActros but with a lower output of 200 kW (272 hp) and a smaller battery capacity of 150 kWh. The Atego eEconic had a range of up to 100 km and a payload capacity of up to 10 tonnes. The Atego eEconic was designed to reduce the noise and emissions in urban areas and improve drivers' and passengers' safety and comfort.

The Atego eWay was a catenary hybrid truck that could run on electric power from overhead contact lines or on diesel power from an internal combustion engine. The Atego eWay had a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a four-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 130 kW (177 hp) and an electric motor with an output of 130 kW (177 hp). The Atego eWay also had a battery system with a capacity of 20 kWh and could be charged by the electric motor or the overhead contact lines. The Atego eWay had a range of up to 400 km and a payload capacity of up to 25 tonnes. The Atego eWay was part of a pilot project that tested the feasibility and efficiency of catenary hybrid trucks on a public road in Germany.

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