Mercedes-Benz Truck History - From the first truck to the hydrogen truck

FERNFAHRER・2 minutes read

Mercedes-Benz Museum celebrates 125 years of truck history, highlighting key milestones in truck technology evolution, including innovations like diesel engines, air brakes, and electric trucks with advanced safety features. The museum showcases the progression from early gasoline engine vehicles to the latest electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, emphasizing sustainability and future advancements in trucking technology.

Insights

  • The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart commemorates 125 years of truck history, tracing the evolution from the first gasoline engine vehicles in 1896 to modern innovations like the eActros, highlighting milestones in performance, design, and sustainability.
  • Mercedes-Benz's commitment to electric trucks, such as the eActros and GenH2 Wasserstoff-Truck, showcases a shift towards sustainable transportation with quieter operation, enhanced driver comfort, and a focus on CO2-free technology, emphasizing the brand's vision for half of their trucks to be electric by 2030.

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Recent questions

  • What is the oldest original truck showcased at the Mercedes-Benz Museum?

    The oldest original truck showcased at the Mercedes-Benz Museum is from 1898.

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Summary

00:00

"125 Years of Mercedes-Benz Truck Evolution"

  • Celebrating 125 years of trucks, including Mercedes-Benz trucks, at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
  • Introduction to the oldest original truck from 1898, showcasing modern truck characteristics like engine placement and steering system.
  • Evolution of truck technology over time, including belt drives, ring gears, and coil springs for suspension.
  • Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz launching their first commercial vehicles with gasoline engines in 1896.
  • Advancements in truck performance in the 1910s with profile steel frames, cast steel wheels, and improved engine technology.
  • Mass production of trucks during war years, with innovations like pneumatic tires, air brakes, and diesel engines in the 1920s.
  • Merger of Daimler and Benz companies in 1926, leading to the introduction of a complete range of commercial vehicles.
  • Breakthrough of the diesel engine in 1932 with the Mercedes-Benz LO 2000 and the L 10000 truck in 1936.
  • Development of short-nosed vehicles in the 1950s as an interim solution between hooded vehicles and cab-over designs.
  • Introduction of the LP 314 model in 1965 at the Wörth factory, marking the start of production for light trucks.

18:12

Vintage Trucks and Vehicles: A Unique Collection

  • The collection includes a 1912 gasoline engine motorcycle with spark plugs, elastic tires, and dual rear tires.
  • A restored vehicle from the 1950s with a crew cabin built by a body builder, possibly Doll or Wackenhut.
  • A Benz Gaggenau truck, the world's first truck factory, with a pre-chamber engine and a front chamber motor model 323.
  • Mercedes built tractors with excellent front wheel turning capabilities powered by an evaporator motor.
  • A Benz Gaggenau vehicle from the early 1900s with wooden rims and rubber tires, beautifully restored.
  • An early three-axle vehicle from Wörth with a unique transfer case setup for each rear axle.
  • A Benz 1620 with a low engine tunnel and a spacious cabin, known for long-distance travel capabilities.
  • A tanker truck prototype with air suspension, rebuilt rear axle, and ANAMCO assembly label.
  • An Actros 6600 fire brigade truck gifted by the Vatican, featuring a short hood and a unique driver's cabin concept.
  • The Actros MP2, a heavy-class truck with disc brakes, spacious cabin, and advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and emergency brake assistant.

35:25

Mercedes-Benz Actros: Evolution of Truck Innovation

  • Mercedes-Benz celebrates 100 years since the invention of the truck with the Actros, featuring a flat cabin floor, 1.92 meters of headroom, and parking air conditioning.
  • Actros 500 series engines offer up to 571 hp, a significant advancement for Euro3 standards, and the truck is the first to have disc brakes all around.
  • Safety features on the Actros include airbags, seat belt tensioners, ESP, Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
  • The Econic, a low-entry vehicle for municipal tasks, and the Atego, replacing the light and middle class, are introduced by Mercedes-Benz.
  • The AXOR, recommended for heavy distribution traffic and construction sites, is launched in 2001.
  • The Actros MP2 receives a facelift in 2003, inspired by the S-Class, with a painted grille, optional xenon lights, and 612 hp in the Black Edition.
  • The Actros MP3 is released with enhanced interior and exterior features, including a light and rain sensor, refined powershift transmission, and Active Brake Assist.
  • In 2011, a new Actros model is introduced, featuring the Gigaspace Fahrerhaus with 2.13 meters of height and Predictive Powertrain Control.
  • The eActros, Mercedes-Benz's first fully electric truck, is showcased, with plans for half of their trucks to be electric by 2030.
  • The eActros offers a quieter driving experience, fewer gear shifts, and various power modes, along with improved driver comfort and reduced noise levels in the cabin.

53:15

"Renovating E-Machines for Sustainable Transportation"

  • E-Machines lack Schleppleistung, so renovation is needed. The first step involves determining temperature topographically under load at speeds of 20 and 30 km/h, with power coming into batteries before being used and recuperated. An E-Achse with a Zwei-Gang-Getriebe is crucial for the eActros Antrieb.
  • The GenH2 Wasserstoff-Truck is part of a sustainable strategy for transportation vehicles, integrating CO2-free technology and a battery-electric vehicle approach. The GenH2 operates with two electric motors, consuming energy from a 72 kW battery and a 300 kW fuel source, optimizing operational life and health.
  • The battery and fuel source work together to power the vehicle, with the battery charging during operation. The SOC of the battery grows as it is charged, ensuring the vehicle's longevity and efficient use on the road for up to 125 years.
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