Blog Post

                                        
The 12-pallet, rigid truck market is a crowded one in Australia with every manufacturer from Japan and Europe offering a vehicle in this space for you to consider.
Mercedes-Benz is no different with their Atego S-Cab offering. 
The truck comes in two driveline specs: the 1224 tested here is 12-tonne GVM and its 7.7-litre engine puts out 240hp/1,000Nm via a 6-speed PowerShift transmission. 
The 1427 is 14-tonne GVM and the same engine is uprated to 270hp with the same torque through an 8-speed ‘box.
Of course you can specify what you want on the cab-chassis with many of these trucks being used as tippers, car carriers, et al. With a GCM of 34,000kg (and a PTO as standard) there is plenty left to tow a substantial trailer.
The Atego has been around since 2016 with the intervening years seeing constant refinement and improvement of the product. 
Chief among these is safety with the truck having a driver’s airbag, light and rain sensors, Lane keeping, Attention, Active Brake, Stability Control, and Front and Sideguard assist.
These last two give 270-degree protection to other road users: pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles and obviously save the panels on your Atego from coming to grief. Triangles in the A pillars turn orange to alert you of the presence of the above.
Cruise control is standard but it’s not of the adaptive type I’m told, because of the price sensitivity of this market. 
That said, it can be ordered as an option and is the only truck in this segment to make it available.
From the outside the truck presents as ‘ruggedly handsome’ with its square face broken up by wind deflectors on either flank. 
Apart from that silver three-pointed star, the grill and (three-piece) bumper are unpainted, again due no doubt to price considerations but also to reduce repair costs should the worst eventuate. 
Overall it is a distinctive look that won’t be mistaken for anything else.
Inside the truck we find a work-like interior as befitting this segment. That said, everything is screwed together nicely and as I find out on the drive is squeak and rattle free. 
Steering wheel and wand controls will be familiar to anyone who’s driven a Benz and are as good as they get. In front of the driver the dials are plain and very easy to read. 
Sitting atop the dash within easy reach is the large multi-media screen and behind it a rubber lined shallow receptacle to throw odds and ends, together with a couple of cup holders.
There is space for three with the middle, high backed seat folding forward to offer a work bench and more cup holders. 
A feature of this S-Cab is the space behind the seat where there is more than enough room to throw a day bag, lunch box or extra tools. 
All-in-all you have a work-like cabin, but you’ll appreciate the thought that has gone into the little things.
Driving the truck and all the Mercedes attributes come to the fore. 
Steering is light and very precise, the engine retardation works very well, the driver’s seat is comfortable with great lateral and back support, and noise suppression is not Actros class but still very good.
The turning circle is brilliant. For a 12-pallet truck I even went as far as to call it minute, to my passenger.
The Atego is built to a price but it doesn’t cut corners in the things that count. And the things that count make it a very good truck.

Story with thanks to Big Rigs Magazine