The Mercedes-Benz Atego is a range of general-purpose rigid trucks introduced in 1998 as the successor to the LK. It has been updated in 2004, given a facelift in 2010 and replaced by a new model in 2013.
Mercedes-Benz Atego at a glance
| Introduced | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Replaced | Mercedes-Benz LK |
| Gross vehicle weights | 6.5 to 16 tonnes |
| Engines | straight four- or six-cylinder diesel |
| First generation | 1998–2004 |
| Basic types at launch | 25, with 240 model variants |
| Built to 2004 | about 170,000 |
| Award | International Truck of the Year 1999 |
| Second generation | 2004, with a nine-speed gearbox |
| Facelift | 2010, BlueTec Euro V engines |
| New model | 2013 |
| Hybrid | Atego BlueTec Hybrid from 2007 |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Mercedes-Benz Atego.
History of the Mercedes-Benz Atego
The first Atego appeared in 1998 as the successor to the LK range. At launch it offered 25 basic types and 240 model variants, and about 170,000 were produced before 2004. It won the International Truck of the Year award in 1999, and the second generation won again in 2011. A 240 kW (326 hp) top version of the heavy Atego chassis arrived in 2000, and in 2001 the heavy class of 18 to 40 tonnes became the Axor, combining the Actros chassis with the long Atego cab.
The second generation was shown in 2004. The front was redesigned with H7 clear-glass headlamps, high-set white-glass indicators, wind deflectors and new mirrors, and the four cab variants received a new interior with a cockpit grouped around the driver and climate control similar to the Actros. A nine-speed gearbox replaced the twelve-speed, and the Telligent automated shift was offered as an option. In 2005 a 12-tonne payload-optimised model appeared with a low chassis, 17.5-inch tyres and a 160 kW (218 hp) four-cylinder engine, and models above 18 tonnes were renamed Axor. The 250,000th Atego was delivered in June 2008, and from March 2010 the range was available with EEV engines.
The engines of the second generation started with the 4,250 cc OM 904 LA four-cylinder of 130 kW and 675 Nm, and the 6,374 cc OM 906 LA six-cylinder of 170 kW and 810 Nm or 205 kW and 1,100 Nm, all with unit-pump injection. Gearboxes included the G56, G60 and G85 manual boxes, the G131-9 with a crawler gear and the Allison 3000P automatic. The 2010 facelift brought a multifunction steering wheel, a new instrument cluster and BlueTec Euro V engines from 95 to 210 kW, and a retarder of up to 180 kW was offered. The Atego BlueTec Hybrid, developed with Eaton, used a 160 kW diesel and a 44 kW electric motor; the first 50 were sold at the end of 2009.
Design and features
- Wide range: 25 basic types and 240 variants at launch.
- Heavy-duty chassis option: a 326 hp version from 2000, later split off as the Axor.
- Telligent shift: an automated gearbox offered from the second generation.
- Hybrid drive: the BlueTec Hybrid with a 44 kW electric motor.
Mercedes-Benz Atego versions
- Atego (1998–2004): the first generation.
- Heavy Atego (2000): 240 kW top version.
- Atego (2004): second generation with a nine-speed gearbox.
- 12-tonne model (2005): low chassis and 17.5-inch tyres.
- Atego BlueTec Hybrid (2007): diesel-electric hybrid.
- Facelift (2010): BlueTec Euro V engines from 95 to 210 kW.
The Atego replaced the LK and sits below the Actros; its heavy class became the Axor. More trucks are in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: Driving Mercedes-Benz Atego
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz Atego, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, gearboxes, hybrid
