Atego

Mercedes-Benz Atego
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1997-present
Assembly	Aksaray, Turkey Wörth, Germany São_Bernardo_do_Campo, Brazil Rouiba, Algeria
Body and chassis
Class	Small
Related	Mercedes-Benz Axor

The Mercedes-Benz Atego is a range of light/lightweight general-purpose rigid truck introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1997.

Designated 970, it is available in weights of 7.5 to 16 metric tonnes (t) and is powered by a straight 4- or 6-cylinder engine. Originally all straight-engined rigids by Mercedes were marketed as Atego, but from the 2005 facelift Atego models over 18 t were renamed Mercedes-Benz Axor.

The chassis is also used by Unvi to produce 27-41 seat coaches, designated Cimo and Touring, which are custom built in Spain. Cab area and dashboard on the coach conversions are identical to those used in the Atego goods vehicles.

The company is conducting large-scale fleet tests with the Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid delivery truck of 7.5 and 12 tons GVW, used to deliver mail in Germany. The Atego Blutec Hybrid uses the Eaton developed Parallel Electric system, with the Fuller Automated Manual replaced by the Daimler G45 automated transmission.

Race truck versions of the trucks are called Mercedes-Benz Race Truck. Built by LARAG in the Eastern Switzerland canton of St. Gallen. The race trucks have competed in the ADAC Truck Grand Prix and the NRW Truck Cup.

Ludovic Faure won the FIA European Truck Racing Championship in 1998 using an Atego Renntruck. FIA ETRC vehicles develop 1200 hp and 5,600 Nm of torque. Minimum weight is 5400 kg, and the trucks have 6-speed ZF transmissions, with water-cooled disc brakes. This gives a similar power-to-weight ratio as a World Rally Car.

In 2008, a Mercedes-Benz Atego 1725 race truck took a part in the Brazilian rally raid Rally dos Sertões. The vehicle won this rally in its class (T4.2, for trucks with full weight from 4801 to 5800 kg). This truck develops more than 400 hp and torque of 1800 Nm.

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Wikipedia