Sedans, SUVs, sports cars, pickups, hatchbacks or HCVs, a transmission is an indispensable part of the driving experience. There have been instances beyond my reckoning in the past where a great car was razed owing to impetuous calibration of its transmission. A ratchet aims to put down the oomph of a car in a linear and suave manner so that pace can be gathered with alacrity and the driver always feels comfortable.
A believer of ‘the best or nothing,’ Mercedes-Benz in the U.A.E has collaborated with Allison Transmission, a developer of conventional and electric vehicle applications and is touted as one of the largest manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions for commercial and defence vehicles scaling to a global level.
In a bid to provide a different level of thrill and experience to automotive journalists and influencers domiciling within the precincts of the UAE, Mercedes-Benz invited them to dabble with its medium-duty truck, the Atego 4X4 which comes coupled with Allison 3000 Series transmission. To aggrandize the purpose of this transmission, the truck’s testing took place at an off-road site, an environment it would find itself very frequently.
The Atego 1726 A 4X4’s source of energy is a 6-cylinder in-line engine which complies with Euro-V emission yardsticks. To embolden its off-road prowess, it gets three mechanical differential locks so that it could scythe through the harshest of terrains while ensuring its payload of 11,700 kg doesn’t have to suffer being stranded anywhere.
The party trick this transmission has is that it shifts between 7 front gear ratios so as to provide a powerful punch on the dab of the throttle while being easy on frugality at the same time. Cruising along high speeds on high gears will also do its bit to minimise the din filtering inside. As it is an automatic transmission, it will be beneficial for the left leg during the propulsion. It is available with an engine-driven Power Take-off for a great headstart to manage with the high-speed traffic of the U.A.E roads. Not only does it rack up pace swiftly, but also comes to a halt very progressively with an integral output retarder which brings it to a standstill reducing brake wear and tear. The vehicle also gets clever shenanigans from the advanced electronic controls which can forecast several things.
It is great to finally see the new development of the Allison 3000 Series built into our Atego 4x4 on the road, as this project was specifically developed for the needs of our customers in the MENA region,” said Olaf Petersen, General Manager Mercedes-Benz and Fuso Trucks Sales. “We see several special applications benefiting from this combination, from fire-fighting to off-road operations in our trucks. The fully automatic transmission with torque converter allows vehicle owners and drivers to work with high confidence. It relieves the driver from shifting activities, allowing them to fully concentrate on their driving. The risk for wrong shifting is out of question and uptime is increased offering a high benefit to the truck owner, said Olaf Petersen, General Manager Mercedes-Benz and Fuso Trucks Sales at Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA.
“Our longstanding global collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Trucks continues with this Ride & Drive Experience event in Dubai and we are pleased to add value to the Mercedes-Benz Trucks vehicle range. Through this partnership, we look forward to jointly providing a reliable and powerful solution to customers in the market. When you consider harsh and demanding environments like off-road terrain or heavy start-stop operations, you want maximum power and vehicle control. Fully automatic transmissions will increase driver comfort, provide ease of operation and optimal manoeuvrability,” said Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Allison Transmission Middle East Area Sales and OEMs Account Manager.
“Driving a 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Atego 4x4 equipped with an Allison 3000 Series transmission provides uninterrupted power to the wheels and makes it easy for a driver to focus on their job, keeping both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road,” said Petersen.
Allison Transmission and Mercedes-Benz Trucks have maintained a strong partnership in the region. The companies plan to further serve the region with the same dedication and relentless efforts.
