The Mercedes-Benz Axor is a heavy truck built since 2001 to fill the gap between the premium Actros tractors and the mostly rigid Atego trucks. It was aimed at fleet customers.
Mercedes-Benz Axor at a glance
| Introduced | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Role | fleet truck between Atego and Actros |
| Gearbox | manual, Electronic Power Shift or fully automatic |
| Engines | 12-litre OM457LA or 6.4-litre OM906 straight-six |
| First body style | tractor unit only |
| Facelift | 2005, former Atego models over 18 t added |
| Successors | Antos and Arocs from 2013 |
| Tractor example | Axor 4028 T, 16 t, 210 kW (280 hp) |
| Rigid example | Axor 2528 R, 25 t, 210 kW (280 hp) |
| Fuso versions | FJ, FO and FZ for some African and Asian markets |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Mercedes-Benz Axor.
History of the Mercedes-Benz Axor
The Axor was launched in 2001 as a simpler and cheaper alternative to the Actros for operators running large fleets. It was powered either by the 12-litre OM457LA straight-six or by the 6.4-litre OM906, and could be had with a fairly simple manual gearbox, the Electronic Power Shift system or a fully automatic box.
At first the Axor was sold only as a tractor unit. With the 2005 facelift, the former Atego models above 18 tonnes were folded into the Axor range, which gave the truck a full line of rigid chassis as well. The range then ran from 16-tonne tractor units such as the 4028 T with 210 kW (280 hp) through 25-tonne rigids such as the 2528 R to the 3340 S tractor of 33 tonnes and 299 kW (401 hp). Other models included the 2523 R and 1623 R rigids with 170 kW (230 hp).
In 2013 the Axor was succeeded by the Antos for distribution work and the Arocs for construction, although production continued. The same year Mitsubishi Fuso began selling the Indian-built BharatBenz version of the Axor in some African and Asian markets as the Fuso FJ, FO and FZ. The FJ is the six-wheeled 25-tonne model, the FO has eight wheels and is rated at 31 tonnes, and the FZ is the tractor, with two or three axles. The Fuso FJ uses the Mercedes-Benz OM906 engine under the name Mitsubishi 6S20.
Design and features
- Fleet focus: simpler specification than the Actros at a lower price.
- Engine choice: 12-litre OM457LA or 6.4-litre OM906.
- Gearbox options: manual, Electronic Power Shift or automatic.
- Wide range after 2005: tractor units and rigids from 16 to 33 tonnes.
Mercedes-Benz Axor versions
- Axor tractor: 4028 T and 3340 S.
- Axor rigid: 2528 R, 2523 R and 1623 R.
- 2005 facelift: former heavy Atego models added to the range.
- Fuso FJ, FO and FZ: rebadged versions for Africa and Asia.
The Axor sits between the Atego and the Actros, and its place was later taken by the Antos and Arocs. More trucks are in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: Mercedes-Benz Axor Countdown
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz Axor, English Wikipedia: engines, gearboxes, models, Fuso versions
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