Racing is an ever‑present and consistently exciting theme in truck tuning. This is why Mercedes‑Benz Trucks Österreich launched the Actros Racing Edition Austria onto the market in 2018. Even those with only a faint interest in racing will soon recognise the colours: like the Silver Arrows of the Mercedes‑AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula 1 team, the special model is painted in Chrystal Laurith Silver. High‑quality green decals emphasize the racing look, while stainless steel and chrome highlights enhance the truck even further. You have to be lucky to see the vehicle in the flesh: only 10 units were built.

The Actros Racing Edition Austria was available with engine outputs of up to 460 kW. Numerous comfort and convenience features in the interior virtually turn the cab – there was a choice of a BigSpace or GigaSpace L cab – into a living room: if you really wanted to, you could even get a 22‑inch full HD television with digital DVB‑T2 HD reception, LED background lighting and DVD player into the cab!

Another exclusive feature: a complete package for the truck containing a driver’s jacket, cap, towel and gloves – specially for the driver and all in Racing Edition design – plus a Mercedes‑Benz bag.

Another highlight was created in 2018 in Italy: the Actros Iron 530. Mercedes‑Benz Trucks Italia had decided on the name, but left the design entirely to the professionals from Acitoinox based in the Italian town of Albanella. Their brief was to personalise the vehicle, but maintain its characteristic appearance and elegance – creating a jewel with genuine Italian design.

Only computer models were used in the planning phase, until designers opted for black paintwork with eye‑catching stainless steel highlights – extremely striking, but in no way overwrought. The next step was to produce prototypes which would be used to test the assembly.

The result is a BigSpace cab with spoilers and sills, bi‑xenon headlamps and shiny aluminium rims. The 530 in the name reveals that an OM 471 with 390 kW – or in other words 530 hp – was installed. Both economical and comfortable thanks to Predictive Powertrain Control and Aquatarder, the twin 1,150‑litre diesel tank ensures a good range.

With its luxury pneumatic seat, air conditioning, refrigerator, multimedia radio with smartphone connection and vehicle display, there could be few drivers of the Iron 530 who would find something lacking. The 53 units that were produced were sold within a few weeks.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks put a vehicle on the road that already bears its claim in its name: Actros1 – the new number 1. For companies looking for a flagship of the very highest quality, or that wanted to pay tribute to their drivers with the truck, there were precisely 100 units available.

The Actros1 combines a 6×2 chassis with the GigaSpace cab. Most customers opted for the OM 473 with an output of 460 kW, but the OM 471 with 390 kW was also available. The technical equipment package incorporates countless features, including Active Brake Assist, Proximity Control Assist, driver airbag, high‑performance engine brake, tyre pressure monitoring, Fleetboard and Mercedes‑Benz Uptime.

The driver is sure to be impressed as soon as they get into the truck. In the interior, the luxurious Style Line equipment line is complemented by a leather steering wheel and luxury leather massage seats, a multimedia entertainment system and a premium luxury mattress. Thanks to automatic climate control, the driver can set their optimum temperature for the cab. There are also practical features such as the electric sliding sunroof and roller sunblind, microwave and pull‑out refrigerator. The love with which the truck has been designed and built is evident right down to the last detail: colour‑coded floor mats and bedding are also included.

Painted side rub strips and running boards, Alcoa Dura‑Bright light‑alloy wheels – wider at the front than in series production vehicles – with painted hubs and air horns mounted on the roof provide the wow factor. Other unmissable features are the bi‑xenon headlamps, LED tail lights and, of course, the illuminated star in the radiator grille.