MERCEDES-BENZ

MB Atego 3030: best-selling truck of the line in Brazil

The Atego 3030 is Mercedes-Benz's best-selling 8x2 truck. According to the brand, of the 858 models with 8x2 traction delivered from January to August 2022, the version had 789 license plates. The other 69 are from the Atego 3026. One of the factors that guarantee this success is the OM 926 LA engine, 7.2 liters and six cylinders in line, which generates 286 hp of power at 2,200 rpm and 127 mkgf of torque from 1,100 and 1,200 rpm.

We drive the Mercedes-Benz from the brand's factory, in São Bernardo do Campo, to Arujá, also in greater São Paulo. The Atego 3030 8x2 averaged 4 km per liter of diesel on the total journey of around 150 km and made along the Rodoanel.

Mercedes-Benz Atego is versatile...The flatbed truck is intended for short to long distance road transport operations. As well as intercity activities. Thus, it can receive implements such as trunk, open body and tank. Therefore, it allows transporting from general cargo to chemical products and fuels, for example.

The Atego 3030 8x2 has a suggested price from R$ 595,629(local currency) and a total gross weight (GW) of 29 tons. Even so, it is a good option, as it has greater payload capacity compared to mechanical horses with 4x2 traction, for example. In addition, Mercedes-Benz offers the Atego 1730, priced at R$449,304. However, in this case the (PBT) is 17.1 t.

In addition, the 8x2 model circulates more easily in cities than mechanical horses, according to the company. It can also be driven by drivers with a category D license. In turn, to drive a mechanical horse, the driver must have a category E license. Thus, the brand claims, it is easier to hire professionals who can drive the model.

Likewise, the Atego 3030 also attracts entrepreneurs from the green sector, as well as self-employed and small fleet owners, who travel from farms to commercial warehouses. And, with the advancement of operations linked to electronic commerce, the flatbed truck has also been conquering wholesalers. Thanks, above all, to the payload capacity, which varies from 21.5 to 22.5, depending on the wheelbase.

Technically prepared... The truck has three wheelbase versions: 4,800 mm for bucket. In addition to the version with a distance of 5,400 mm, the most common and evaluated by reportage. The distance of 6,300 mm is intended for those who operate with Romeo and Juliet. In this case, the PBT gain is 36 t.

The Atego 3030 semi-heavy is offered with the second steer axle factory installed. That is, being fully synchronized with the first front axle. Thus, this system offers better drivability and maneuverability to the vehicle as well as increases the useful life of the tires.

Another positive point is that both the 2nd steering axle and the 2nd dual axle can be suspended when the truck is empty. This helps to save on tolls.

According to Mercedes-Benz engineering, even if the model weighs 29 t, its technical capacity exceeds 30 t. In other words, it is a truck sized to support its entire payload.

Another advantage to have good load capacity is due to the tare weight that varies between 7,410 kg and 7,696 depending on the between axles. Which makes it one of the lightest in the category.

Because of these attributes, Mercedes-Benz has a 46.6% market share with the Atego 3030 and Atego 2630, both 8x2.

Mercedes-Benz engine...The Atego 3030 8x2 is equipped with an engine produced by the star brand. The 7.2-liter OM 926 LA is mounted on an in-line six-cylinder architecture. This engine develops 286 horsepower at 2,200 rpm. The torque of 127 mkgf works between 1,100 and 1,200 rpm.

I drove the model with a fully automated transmission Mercedes G 211, called 12-speed PowerShift. System that dispenses with the clutch pedal(image above). I was recommended by the Mercedes-Benz technical instructor, João Moita, to operate the truck in automatic mode at all times. So I could focus more on the traffic. As well as getting good consumer grades. After all, the gearbox chooses the best gear, according to the vehicle's speed, rotation and load. In this case, the truck was loaded with 27 t of PBT.

In this sense, when we left with the truck from the Mercedes-Benz factory, in São Bernardo do Campo, towards the Anchieta highway, the Atego quickly went from 1st to 3rd gear. Quickly reaching 50 km/h at 1,200 rpm. In other words, with the strength to take the 27 t of PBT.

Features...This broadcast brings features like Hill Hold. System that holds the truck for 3 seconds until it comes out of inertia. Thus, leaving an incline or traffic lights with the heavy truck no longer brings insecurity.

Another item in the box that helps to save fuel is the Eco Roll. When we rode on the Rodoanel, towards Arujá, it was possible to walk for meters using the resource. This is because when the system identifies that there is no demand for the accelerator, it automatically disables the gear. In other words, the truck starts to run in ?Electronic toothless? mode, taking advantage of the inertia.

To give you an idea, at 80 km/h in 12th gear, the rotation is 1,000 rpm, with Eco Roll enabled. That is, at the beginning of the green rotation band.

But Mercedes-Benz offers the manual version of the gearbox. Produced by ZF, the box meets buckets. As well as off-road operations like cane and timber.

Comfort...The flatbed truck offers a good level of comfort. The panel recalls that of the bigger brother Axor. With the same curvature, as well as similar on-board computer. Therefore, everything is in the hands of the driver, who still has the multifunctional steering wheel. Through it, it is possible to access the on-board computer and functions of the radio with Bluetooth located in the upper part of the driver's side.

The metallic suspension brings balanced stability to the vehicle. But Mercedes-Benz, via its modification center, can deliver the model with air suspension as an option.

The report was in the most complete version in terms of cabin and finish. Thus, the workstation was equipped with a bunk bed. The space, even not being occupied by a second driver, thanks to the safety net, serves as a good luggage compartment option. In that sense, there is only one luggage rack at the top of the passenger side. In addition, in the doors there is space for object holders as well as in the front part of the panel, sharing the space with the cup holder.

Verdict...The Atego 3030 8x2 with a technical set worthy of a road tractor truck. And with the advantage of, thanks to the second steering axle, carrying almost the same goods as a mechanical horse. Because of this plurality, the model is being so successful among freelancers, fleet owners and shippers.

Mundoquatrorodas