UPDATE: Orders Open for the New Long-distance Mercedes-Benz Actros [Image Gallery]

We were informing you a while back about a new version of the Mercedes-Benz Actros truck that is specially designed for long-distance hauling. Now, Daimler announced it is ready to take orders for the model in question, which is praised by its manufacturer as the world’s cleanest truck.

The vehicle’s complete development required an investment of more than €1 billion, but Daimler says it is worth every euro cent: the new Mercedes-Benz Actros is the first truck to hit the road with a design that’s consistently in line with Euro VI requirements.

In addition, more than €1 billion was invested in production locations and equipment and tools for the model.

The manufacturer says that expectations for it are high, as its main competitor at the moment is the current Actros MP3, of which more than 700,000 units have been sold to date, making it the best-selling truck in Europe.

The long-distance Actros truck has a new range of cabs, new engines, a new chassis, and a new design featuring eye-catching lighting units. Moreover, it went through extensive aerodynamic fine-tuning carried out during the 2,600 hours the model spent in the wind tunnel.

Power units range from 310 kW (421 hp) to 375 kW (510 hp) and from 2,100 to 2,500 Nm of torque. There are seven cab variants with widths ranging from 2.3 to 2.5 meters; five of these come with level floors the whole way through. Up to 11 different wheelbases are available - for example, with the two-axle chassis-cab.

Safety wise, Mercedes-Benz announced the introduction to the new Actros of the unique Proximity Control Assist system with a stop-and-go function that now automatically controls acceleration and braking in traffic jams - which makes things a lot easier when driving through cities or in stop-and-go traffic on highways.