Right from the word go the target was ambitious: the aim was for the new Mercedes-Benz SL to tip the scales weighing five percent less than the previous model. Already declared the benchmark, the predecessor itself was a shining example boasting various lightweight design measures, even including bonnets made of aluminium. At the same time, the specifications book prescribed more comfort, more output coupled with considerably reduced consumption and fewer emissions, plus a more rigid bodyshell and even more safety. These demands would render the vehicle heavier and not lighter – that was clear. The experts calculated a weight increase of at least 75 kilograms.
Only a lightweight construction on a totally new level – which included all the vehicle components in the equation – could reconcile these contradictory requirements. In actual fact, the developers at Mercedes-Benz have succeeded in undercutting the ambitious weight targets. The new SL 500 weighs no less than 125 kilograms less than the predecessor of the same name. This corresponds to a reduction of 6.5 percent. Meanwhile the SL 350 even manages to exceed the high expectations even further – with its weight saving of 140 kilograms – equating to 7.7-percent less.
Here is an extract from the long list of lightweight design measures:
Bodyshell. Converting the entire bodyshell to aluminium cuts its weight by 24 percent in contrast with a steel bodyshell featuring comparable properties (a weight saving of 110 kg). Even the upper door hinges consist of aluminium.
Damping. The switch from absorber foams to sprayable acoustic compositions with variable layer thicknesses which can be shaped according to requirements, plus modified underbody panelling, results in weight savings in the order of 2.5 kg.
The guide rails for the window lift mechanisms are now comprised of aluminium instead of steel, amounting to a weight saving of 0.5 kg.
Vario-roof in magnesium/plastic design. The front part of the roof and the C-pillar are produced in magnesium/plastic, plus there are additional optimisation measures regarding the design of the tubular frame, rear shelf, rear window frame and roof frame. The weight reduction amounts to 15 kg.
Glazing. The windscreen is 0.5 millimetres thinner, with an acoustic film. The weight reduction amounts to over 1 kg.
The rear windscreen is 0.7 millimetres thinner, resulting in approximately 1 kg less weight.
Interior. The dashboard mount consists of a continuous IHP aluminium tube with magnesium struts and moulded-on polymer brackets. The weight reduction is 2.2 kg.
With the introduction of shift-by-wire technology, the large shift lever has been replaced by a joystick-like lever. This DIRECT SELECT gearshift system weighs only one sixth as much as the automatic selector lever used in the preceding model. The weight saving is 1.4 kg.
The boot floor is in the form of a polyurethane honeycomb plate instead of the wood plate previously used. The passenger’s foot plate has been switched over to plastic from steel, saving 1.5 kg in weight.
Seat. New seat structure with new adjustment motors, but a standard-fit 4-way lumbar support and crash-responsive head restraint. Weight savings: 11 kg.
Electrics. Thanks to an intelligent dynamic load management system, two batteries are no longer necessary; one 95 Ah battery in the boot is sufficient, supported by a 12 Ah battery for the ECO start/stop function. Weight savings: approx. 4 kg.
Every vehicle is given a customer-specific wiring harness for the interior, cockpit and engine compartment. Thanks to this tailor-made cable harness, additional weight in the form of wires which are surplus to requirements can be saved – to the tune of up to 0.4 kg.
The innovative Frontbass system avoids the need for a separate woofer and door loudspeaker. Weight reduction: over 4 kg.
Axles. The four-link front axle had already undergone extensive weight optimisation for the preceding model, featuring steering knuckles and spring links made of aluminium. The two front-axle halves now consist entirely of this material. The integral support frame for the front-axle halves, steering gear and engine is also produced in aluminium. Total weight savings: 11 kg.
The rear-axle subframe consists of high-strength steel with adapted panel thicknesses. It has been optimised in accordance with the specific engine line-up for the SL 350, resulting in a weight reduction of 2.6 kg over the SL 500.
Suspension, Damping. The standard-specification semi-active adjustable damping in the SL 350 is lighter than the standard suspension system, saving 10 kg in weight.
Brakes and pedals. Optimised brake cooling eliminates the need for large and thus heavy brake discs on the front axle. Weight savings: 3.8 kg.
Lightweight wheels. New standard-fit lightweight wheels for the SL 500 are around 15 percent lighter than cast wheels. Weight saving: approx. 4 kg
Wheel bolts with a weight-optimised head. Weight saving: approx. ¼ kg.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Within the framework of their partnership in China, Mercedes-Benz Trucks and the Chinese construction machinery manufacturer Zoomlion Heavy Industry are intensifying their cooperation. Last Saturday they signed a letter of intent (LoI) for the delivery of 2,500 Mercedes-Benz trucks. The letter of intent concerns heavy-duty Mercedes-Benz Actros 3341 and 4141 truck models.
The Chinese corporation will receive the vehicles later this year. The 2,500 Mercedes-Benz Actros vehicles will be manufactured at the truck plant in Wörth, where they will also be adapted to Zoomlion’s special applications for concrete pumps.
In 2011 Daimler sold almost 5,800 Mercedes-Benz trucks in China, making it the market leader among the European competitors in China’s import segment. As a result, China is now the world’s six-largest market for the sale of Mercedes-Benz trucks.
Premium trucks adapted to special applications are particularly needed for China’s rapidly growing construction sector. China is currently planning to invest around 7 trillion RMB (more than €800 billion) in building and expanding urban infrastructures between 2011 and 2015.
In a statement, Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and the person responsible for Mercedes-Benz Trucks worldwide, underscored the importance of the new contract: “We are very delighted that our Chinese business partner chose Mercedes-Benz trucks for its challenging applications in the construction industry. This letter of intent deepens our partnership with Zoomlion. It confirms the good image of our Mercedes-Benz trucks and the great capabilities of our young Mercedes-Benz Trucks sales organization in China, which helps us strengthen our market presence.”
Zoomlion Heavy Industry, which was founded in 1992, is one of China’s leading manufacturers of construction machinery. Zoomlion specializes in the development and production of advanced technologies and equipment for machine construction, as well as for energy, environmental, and transportation systems. In addition, it sells its products in more than 70 countries worldwide. In recent years, Zoomlion established a particularly strong presence in the market for concrete construction machinery. Zoomlion has a permanent workforce of about 30,000 employees. The company’s headquarters are located in Changsha in the province of Hunan.
Daimler Trucks is pursuing two strategic goals for the Chinese market. In addition to promoting the sale of high-quality Mercedes-Benz trucks in the premium segment, the company will also participate in China’s promising volume market in the future. Slightly more than a week ago, Daimler announced the launch of BFDA (Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd), its joint venture with the Chinese truck manufacturer Foton. The joint venture gives Daimler a 50 percent stake in Foton’s business with medium and heavy-duty Auman brand trucks. Once the ramp-up phase is completed, BFDA will have a production capacity of 160,000 units.
China’s market volume for medium and heavy-duty trucks has doubled to more than one million units over the past five years. Last year the Chinese market accounted for around 40 percent of the total worldwide sales of medium and heavy-duty trucks.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil continues to register a high level of orders for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks. One of Brazil’s largest construction companies, Camargo Corrêa has now ordered 115 Mercedes-Benz trucks in order to upgrade its fleet. The order encompasses a wide range of products, including medium-duty Atego, heavy-duty Axor and Actros trucks. As part of the government’s Growth Acceleration Program (“Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento”/PAC), Camargo Corrêa is currently involved in a number of infrastructure projects for expansion of roads and rail systems. Brazil is preparing for 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.
“Demand continues to be on a historically high level for our commercial vehicles in Latin America,” says Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Europe and Latin America. “We are answering this demand with a state-of-the-art product range of trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles. Our lineup includes modern BlueTec 5 technology and fulfills the PROCONVE P-7 emissions standard, which is comparable to Euro V and will go into effect in Brazil in January 2012.”
Camargo Corrêa is using Mercedes-Benz trucks so that it can make sustainable and rapid headway with its construction and infra-structure projects. In addition to 60 heavy-duty Actros 4844 8x4 and nine heavy-duty Axor 3344 6x4 dump trucks for transport of stone and earth, Camargo Corrêa is purchasing ten medium-duty Atego 1725 4x4 and 36 medium-duty FPN cab-over-engine models for the Latin American market. The Atego and FPN models will be used for construction support, including material transport and maintenance operations.
The Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks acquired by Camargo Corrêa are equipped with Mercedes-Benz’ innovative Fleetboard fleet manage-ment system. Fleetboard can reduce fuel consumption by up to ten percent by analyzing driver behavior and providing information on how to achieve better performance through an economical and preventive driving style.
“Our purchase decision took into consideration the durability of the components, the strength of the engines, the high load capacity, and all the other things that the brand offers in its vehicles,” says Carlos Maximiliano de Souza, Supply Manager at Camargo Corrêa. “A big contractor like Camargo Corrêa doesn’t want to buy only a truck, but a complete set — from the beginning to the end, as it should be in a partnership.”
Jürgen Ziegler, President of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil and CEO for Latin America, explains the good order situation as follows: “Our products stand for high performance, reliability, and durability. We offer outstanding value and can greatly boost the efficiency of our customers’ transport activities and increase their profitability.”
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil is the biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Latin America. Its São Bernardo do Campo plant is Daimler’s biggest outside of Germany, and the only one where trucks, bus chassis, powertrains (including engines, transmissions, and axles) and truck cabs are produced at a single location.
Another facility is located in Juiz de Fora, which is also part of Mercedes-Benz’ global commercial vehicle production network. Starting in early 2012, the plant will also produce Mercedes-Benz Actros heavy-duty and Accelo light-duty trucks for the Latin American market in order to fully exploit future growth potential.
One of Brazil’s biggest construction companies
With its 42,000 employees, Camargo Corrêa is one of Brazil’s largest construction companies. It also operates internationally in other South American countries.
Over the past 71 years, the major construction firm has gained extensive experience in numerous infrastructure projects. The company is currently involved in a variety of PAC projects for construction and maintenance of public works, such as bridges, roads, railroad tracks, subways, and much more. Camargo Corrêa has also participated in major Brazilian public works projects, including the São Paulo subway and the airports of Brasilia and Guarulhos.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
